KOLKATA, July 22, 2021: Beginning July 2021, a 2-month-old with almost zero eyesight was brought to Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata. On examination, Dr Debabrata Halder, senior consultant ophthalmologist (paediatric), found out that the child was suffering from congenital total cataract in both eyes. “In such cases, however, surgeries are carried out when children are three or four years old. And to operate on a two-month-old’s eyes is a big challenge because of the age as well as the delicate nature of the eyes”, said Dr Halder.
As a consequence of having total cataract in both eyes from birth, there was a hindrance to vision development in the child. Hence Dr Debabrata Halder, who was assisted by a team of doctors, decided to operate on the child’s eyes at the age of only two months. But due to the host of other health complications like the absence of anus, fistula connecting rectum and urinary passage, and some heart defects, administering anaesthesia was a big challenge. Dr Debabrata Halder said, “The hour-long surgery has cleared both the eyes of cataract and the baby’s vision is absolutely perfect. A delayed surgery could have permanently affected the vision, which is why we had to take the chance of operating at such a young age, which is not done normally.”
He also added, “For us, it was a race against time. If we would have delayed the operation, it would have affected the development of visual fixation (the capability to stare in a particular direction), which normally develops between the eighth and tenth week and we would have crossed this crucial period. But following the procedure that was carried out, the child will now have a better vision and can lead life normally.” Following the successful surgery, the child has been released.
On this note, Mr Rana Dasgupta, CEO, Eastern Region, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, “Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals, Kolkata, continues to be the leader in path-breaking procedures. Our committed clinicians, with the help of state-of-the-art technology, carried out this rare procedure on the two-month-old baby, who will now be able to see the world with her eyes.”
About Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. (AHEL)
It was in 1983, that Dr. Prathap C. Reddy made a pioneering endeavour by launching India’s first corporate hospital – Apollo Hospitals in Chennai.
Now, as Asia’s foremost trusted integrated healthcare group, its presence includes over 12,000 beds across 71 Hospitals, 3,300 Pharmacies, over 90 Primary Care Clinics and 150 diagnostic centers, 110 plus Telemedicine Centres, over 15 medical education centres and a Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials, epidemiological studies, stem cell & genetic research, Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront of new medical advancements with the most recent investment being the commissioning of South East Asia’s very first Proton Therapy Centre in Chennai.
Every four days, the Apollo Hospitals Group touches a million lives, in its mission to bring healthcare of international standards within the reach of every individual. In a rare honour, the Government of India had issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo’s contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2010.
For 35 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Its hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals in the country for advanced medical services.
For more information:
Amitava Chakraborty | amitava_c@apollohospitals.com | 9804000201
Sumantika Choudhury | sumantika.choudhury@adfactorspr.com| 9830056185