Over 1,000 patients benefit from eye check-up camps

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 14

More than 1,000 patients suffering from diabetes benefitted from free eye check-up camps organised at multiple hospitals across the tricity by the Indian Medical Association in association with Chandigarh Ophthalmological Society (COS) and Chandigarh Association of Pathologies and Microbiologists. The Tribune was the media sponsor for the event.

These patients were also offered HbA1C blood test at 50 per cent discount to know their blood sugar control status by around 20 diagnostic centres in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula.

The campaign was inaugurated by Dr BS Chavan, Director-Principal, GMCH-32. It should go a long way in increasing awareness about this serious issue, which is preventable if patients suffering from diabetes get their eyes checked regularly.

Dr Subina Narang, secretary of the COS and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, explained to patients how diabetes affects all organs of the body, including heart, brain, kidney and eye.

Retinopathy is an irreversible damage to eyes caused by uncontrolled high blood sugar and this damage may be asymptomatic in beginning. Unfortunately, by the time patient has vision problems, the disease has already progressed extensively. It is important that all diabetic patients should keep their sugar under control and get their HbA1C test done at regular intervals to confirm this. Similarly, they should get their eyes checked at regular intervals so that treatment can be started at the earliest.

Dr Neeraj Kumar, president of the IMA, said 40 centres took part in the campaign.