THE NEWS

Hospital Founder Honoured
Dr.N.C.Desai FRCS, the founding director of our hospital has received the NSPB Award for “Best Worker in the field of Community Ophthalmology.” It was given by the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness [NSPB], New Delhi, India, in their annual conference on 26 November, 2006. Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement, which has made it all possible.

The camp at Bhatti ki Bawri was dedicated to memory of the late Mrs Esme Spring from London. Esme and her husband Sidney were lifelong friends of the Tarabai Desai Eye Hospital. The memory of their generosity will be with us forever. many people leading a better life today owe this to Esme and Sidney Spring.

At the camp in Kharia Khangar, about 60 km from Jodhpur. Four days prior to the camp publicity had gone to 104 surrounding villages via banners, handbills and posters. A local magistrate inaugurated the camp. A total of 1263 patients were registered and of these 691 were given spectacles and 117 had cataract surgery with lens implants. At the closing ceremony the District Collector of Jodhpur was the Chief Guest and Mr Dhariwal, President of the Birla White Factory who had provided the free spectacles, was the guest of honour.

Just one case story: One of the patients was ASHOK, a 28 year old man also suffering from Epilepsy. He was blind in both eyes with cataract and needd surgery for the last three years. His brother who works in Jodhpur heard of the eyecamps at Masuria and phone him to come immediately from Sikar (about 450 km from Jodhpur!) He could not find a job because of his blindness. Now after surgery and visual recovery he has the chance to secure a job. Thanks to all the Friends of the Tarabai Desai Eye Hospital - You can’t imagine what your help - however large or small - does for poor unfortunate blind people.

First Diabetic Retinopathy Camp
The Eye Camps are in full swing. Last week a more unique Eye Camp was organised. This free camp, called Diabetic Retinopathy Camp, was specifically meant for Diabetic individuals and aimed at screening them for the presence of Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetes has a devastating effect on the eyes and one of the ways it manifests is changes in the blood vessels of the eyes called ‘Diabetic Retinopathy’.

Dr Sanjiv Desai wrote: “Most people are unaware about this condition and only come to know about it when the blood vessels in their eyes begin to leak, producing partial or complete irreversible blindness. Unfortunately in Jodhpur, physicians seldom inform diabetic patients about regular eye exams and general awareness about diabetic eye disease is very poor in our diabetic population. The current camp was a small attempt to address this problem.

In this specialised camp, 38 patients were registered and underwent complete examination of the eye including vision, intra-ocular pressure, anterior segment & retinal examination free of cost. Eight patients were found to have Diabetic Retinopathy. Five of these patients who had retinopathy underwent Angiography. Three of them have been given dates for laser treatment. One patient with tractional Retinal detachment has been referred to a higher centre for specialised surgery.”