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VST Centre for Glaucoma
It all started on a late Saturday afternoon. Having postponed seeing a doctor about my failing vision for sometime, I was almost hoping to be turned down by LVPEI when I tried to make an appointment. But I was in for a surprise; I was immediately seen by two doctors. Concern was writ large on their faces; my case needed emergency treatment. Diagnosis: advanced Glaucoma (also see I Q&A). I was asked to return on Monday morning after taking the prescribed medication.
Thus started my enduring relationship with LVPEI. I had to go through an emergency operation within six months. I was still not fully aware of the seriousness of the problem and the uncertainty of the surgery's outcome. I was surprised when Dr Chandrasekhar (Dr G C) repeatedly asked if I could see. It was an overreaction, I thought. Much later, when I shared this observation with him, mentioning the patient's right to know about the risks of surgery, he disarmed me by saying simply, " I was worrying enough for both of us!"
Over a period of 10 long years, I have come to LVPEI regularly for check-ups. I have witnessed many changes in the hospital system and administration. But what has remained constant is the concern and care for the patient. I remember how a staff member, who took me to be an unauthorized visitor, once stopped me at the hospital entrance. When I said I was the patient, the person spontaneously extended his hand to lead me - I looked around, every patient had an attendant.
Now I am a familiar figure here. Someone usually recognizes me and takes me to the elevator or the waiting lounge. The waiting period is not long, efforts are made to expedite the check-up. Now Dr G C does not concern himself only with the condition of my eyes, but also my general well-being during this inevitable process of aging. He 'protects' me in simple ways - I dislike going for the 'fields' test (a fields test is done using an automated perimeter), he postpones them as long as medically feasible.
This is not just a case of a patient's positive transference to the doctor. The assessment is based on my own experience. I am still terrified of hospitals and doctors; however, with one unique exception.
Dr. Usha Kumar, IIT Kanpur alumni
(An industrial psychologist, she is a consultant to many organizations.)
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