Alert vision technician 'sights' glaucoma

Shivudu undergoes an eye
examination

Venkataramana, the Ichoda Vision centre technician, regularly insists on a slit lamp examination for all patients. Three years ago, his insistence proved to be a blessing for a casual visitor Shivudu, who had come to the Vision centre merely to buy a pair of dark glasses.  Venkataramana insisted then that Shivudu have an eye examination first. Fortunately for Shivudu, an alert Venkataramana detected high eye pressure during the eye examination – he appeared to have glaucoma in both his eyes, an irreversible eye disease.

Venkataramana referred Shivudu to LVPEI’s secondary care Bhosle  Gopal  Rao  Patel  Service  centre  in Adilabad, where Shivudu was advised to immediately undergo laser  treatment.  Shivudu underwent YAG laser at LVPEI’s Seshanna Chennawar Eye Care Centre in Mudhol. Since then, a grateful Shivudu has been a responsible patient, following up on repeat consultations for controlling his glaucoma.

Shivudu with his 'sight saver'
Venkataramana

Today, Shivudu continues to sell confectionery to kirana shops in Ichoda for a living. However, now he does so with a mission. He talks to his clientele, who are in the age group of 25 to 45, about the benefits of undergoing a complete eye examination. Thus many many families are being touched by the word-of-mouth publicity for eye care!

For Shivudu it was serendipitous that Venkataramana insisted on a slit lamp examination. The dedication and commitment of vision technicians like Venkataramana enable the Institute to realize its vision to provide eye care to those living in remote areas of Andhra Pradesh.

Venkataramana has since been promoted as a Vision Centre coordinator.