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Jasti V Ramanamma Children's Eye Care Centre
Rama's baby, Pinky, was seven days old when she was brought to the Children's Eye Care Centre at L V Prasad Eye Institute in November 1993. She seemed to be normal, but had large, bulging eyes and haziness in the cornea. The parents had consulted a local ophthalmologist who had diagnosed the child to have congenital glaucoma. He had then referred them to
LVPEI.
At the Institute, Pinky was examined under anesthesia. Surgery was indicated, she needed trabeculectomy in both the eyes. The operation was uneventful and she was discharged on November 18, 1993. The child seemed comfortable, though her eyelids were swollen and the pupils of both the eyes were still not very clear. She was prescribed eye drops and the parents were asked to bring her back for regular check-ups.
At every follow-up visit Pinky was fully examined under anesthesia. The corneal diameter, cup-disc ratio and intraocular pressures were found to be normal, but refraction showed myopic astigmatism in both the eyes, more so in the left eye. However, her visual acuity seemed to be improving.
After several years of care and follow-up, Pinky grew up to have almost normal vision. In April 2003, her visual acuity was 6/9 in the right eye and 6/15 in the left eye. She could see with some difficulty, but without any intervention she would have been practically blind.
Pinky was referred to the LVPEI Centre for Sight Enhancement, where she was prescribed special glasses. She also had other disabilities and underwent speech therapy to learn how to use a hearing aid. It was a matter of great joy for her parents to see Pinky going to a regular school and doing well in her studies.
With early diagnosis, prompt intervention and regular follow-up, Pinky can look forward to an almost normal life. Her parents never failed to bring her to the Institute for check-ups during those eight years. This was the most significant factor that prevented her from becoming blind.
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