Dr. SPS Grewal, CEO, Grewal Eye Institute (GEI), the premier comprehensive Eye Care Institute based at Chandigarh, has returned after participating in the 2006 Mid-Term Conference of the Delhi Ophthalmological Society (DOS) on November 19, 2006 at New Delhi. Dr. Grewal presented a Paper on Pioneering Research Work done by GEI related to the revolutionary ‘Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin’ (C3R) Procedure.

The C3R procedure, the only known treatment that has recently been proven to permanently halt the progression of the dreaded Keratoconus disease, was commercially launched globally in the September 2006. GEI is now one of the few eye institutes in the world and the only in India to offer comprehensive treatment now available for the previously untreatable Keratoconus disease.

Keratoconus weakens the cornea of the eye causing the eye to bulge outwards and producing moderate to severe blurriness of vision. In the C3R procedure, the eye is impregnated with a riboflavin solution and exposed to ultra high frequency light. C3R causes the collagen fibrils to thicken, stiffen, and crosslink & reattach to each other, making the cornea stronger and more stable thus provenly halting the progression of the disease. This technique can also be used in corneal ulcers and before LASIK treatment in high Myopes to reduce the risk of postoperative Keratectasia.

The C3R Treatment is a ray of hope for lacs of Indian Keratoconus Patients who, before the launch of this advanced procedure, were resigned to the vagaries of fate. This is because Keratoconus is amongst the most dreaded of eye diseases as in most of the cases, the disease progressed relentlessly during the young age, did not have any acute symptoms and thus was often not detected in the early stages. In the advanced stages, the only options available earlier were surgurical insertion of ‘Intacs’ or ‘Corneal Transplant’, both of which were unsatisfactory on many grounds like trauma to patient and eye, heavy precautions required post-operation, long recovery period etc. Most importantly, from both the doctors & patients perspective, neither of the operations guaranteed stoppage of disease. There was always the possibility that Keratoconus would set in again after the operation too which made the situation a frustrating one for both the patient and the doctor.

Dr. Grewal presented the results of the C3R procedure, showcasing the high success rate achieved at GEI ever since the its launch here in September 2006, in the presence of more than 500 ophthalmic delegates at the meet.

Speaking after his return Dr. Grewal said, “Platforms like the DOS Mid-Term Meet are important as for our growth both at the individual and the institutional level. They provide us the opportunity not only to present our research work to our fellow ophthalmologists but also to witness new developments in the field of ey

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