Hyderabad, Jan 14 (IANS) The L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) here has said it has become the first in the world to achieve 20,000 corneal transplants.
The not-for-profit and non-government institute crossed the landmark in the 25th year of establishment of its Ramayamma International Eye Bank, the largest eye bank in Asia.
The Cornea Centre of Excellence at LVPEI is the largest and one of the best in the world, institute officials said Wednesday.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan Wednesday felicitated the cornea and eye bank teams and commended LVPEI's commitment to quality eye care.
He urged all hospitals to emulate LVPEI's model of affordable and low-cost healthcare within the reach of the common man.
He asked the health ministers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to convene an urgent meeting of all corporate hospitals to carry forward the LVPEI model of low-cost, affordable healthcare.
The governor said corporate hospitals, instead of opening more branches in cities, should move to rural areas.
The LVPEI has done this successfully by spreading its network in rural areas, he said.
LVPEI founder and chairman Gullapalli N. Rao said the best of eye institutions located in the US and across the world were nowhere near this record figure of 20,000 corneal transplants, which the Hyderabad institute accomplished Jan 6.
He said two teams at LVPEI were conducting breakthrough research, one on stem cells hidden in a patient's own eyes to cure blindness and another on culturing cornea in the lab. He said these two can bring down the burden on corneal transplants.
The eye bank was established at LVPEI in 1989 with financial support from the family of Gunnam Ramayamma and technical support from the International Federation of Eye Banks of Baltimore, US. It was primarily to bridge the gap between the need and availability of quality donor corneas, and to create a Centre of Excellence in eye banking.
The other major support came from Eyesight International of Canada, SightLife of Seattle in the US and Orbis International.
Corneal disease is a major cause of blindness in India. Of the 10 million blind in India, 1.1 million are blind in both eyes due to corneal disease, injury or infection. Corneal transplant is the only known cure for corneal blindness, which is made possible by the donation of healthy corneas by individuals upon their death.
India-Australia: Both countries discussed cyber policy, Australian Prime Minister will come to India in March
India and Australia held the fifth bilateral cyber policy dialogue in New Delhi on Thursday. The Cyber Policy Dialogue provides a bilateral forum to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual
Kejriwal seeks German help for Skill Development
New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday sought Germany's cooperation in harnessing renewable sources of energy and in promoting skill development.In a meeting
Afghan Ambassador to China gives account of embassy baggage and leaves
Afghanistan's ambassador to China, Javid Ahmad Qaim, stepped down last week after not receiving a salary for months.
Within 24 hours, more than 82 thousand patients grew, 67 thousand people were cured, 1026 infected people died; 38.48 lakh cases in the country so far
The figure of Corona patients in the country crossed 38 lakh on Wednesday. A record 82 thousand 860 people reported positive within 24 hours. Earlier, on August 29, the maximum of 78 thousand 479
Mask not worn during marriage, court imposed fine on bride and groom
New Delhi: The Punjab-Haryana High Court has imposed a fine of five thousand rupees on both of them for not wearing the groom's masks during the wedding in the Corona crisis. A lover couple from
North Korea missile test: North Korea again tests ballistic missile, increasing concern of other countries on the peninsula
North Korea once again tested one of its ballistic missiles on Wednesday. Japan Times has given this information quoting the Ministry of Defense of the country. However, more information about this
Corona Vaccine: Can BCG Vaccine Protect From Corona Viruses?
Scientists in Britain have started a test to see if the corona infected can be saved with the help of the BCG vaccine.
Upcoming Smartphone: This smartphone can come with a 200MP camera and 125W charger, know what other features you will get
Motorola Frontier 22 Smartphone: Motorola is reportedly working on a new flagship smartphone, named Frontier 22. Last week, some details about the smartphone surfaced on the internet, which suggests
'Sorry to those who created filth...', Udit Narayan again stated the Lip Kiss controversy, saying- 'It made me famous'
Well-known singer Udit Narayan is in the news these days. He is being badly trolled on social media for kissing a fan at a concert. After the kiss controversy, he called it the madness of the fans and
14th day of the attack on Ukraine: Biden said, Putin will never win Ukraine; Russia will conduct the third ceasefire today
Today is the 14th day of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia has declared a ceasefire on Wednesday to rescue the people trapped in the war. There will be a ceasefire in the cities of Kyiv,
