4 years child protected from going visually challenged. The child was suffering from corneo lenticular adhesion syndrome a rare congenital eye disease
Bangalore, October 11, 2017: Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital has celebrated World Sight Day by gifting vision to a 4 year old Lara Waleed from Yemen. She was suffering from a rare complex eye illness known as corneo lenticular adhesion syndrome.
Corneo lenticular adhesion syndrome, a circumstance in which there is an adhesion between cornea iris and lens. This disrupts visualization and if not treated can lead to the loss of vision permanently. Lara Waleed was suffering from this syndrome in her right eye from birth. Apart from cornea iris and lens being wedged to each other, her lens had cataract which thwarted her vision. Additionally, due to the syndrome she also had secondary glaucoma.
As it was a rare illness, for treatment her parents took her to Egypt. At her one year, she underwent two surgeries, which aided in correcting her glaucoma. But her vision was not corrected. She took treatment for 2 years. Yet her condition continuous worsened and she was not able to see anything. Doctors advised for discontinuation of her treatment as any further surgical intervention can lead to Pthisis (Shrinking) of her right eye.
Their search with hope for an advanced treatment led them to Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital in Bangalore. On arrival the child had very nominal vision. In fact, she could hardly see light with her right eye. After thorough assessment Dr. Bindiya Hapani, Cataract surgeon and Medical Retina Expert, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital and team recognized that the child was suffering from corneo lenticular adhesion syndrome, cataract and persistent pupillary membrane (a condition wherein bits and pieces of the pupillary tissue strands remain in one’s iris) along with ciliary process pulled in the pupillary area. Ciliary processes are formed by the inward folding of the various layers of the choroid, the area between the retina and the sclera. Though a high risk case, as the condition was progressing towards permanent loss of vision, Dr. Bindya and team decided to take up the case and give chance to vision. They administered a complex eye surgery that lasted for four hours on the child. Today, the child has not only been cured of her rare condition, she has started identifying objects.
Elaborating about the treatment, Dr. Bindiya Hapani, Cataract surgeon and Medical Retina Expert, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, said, “Apart from treating the corneo lenticular adhesion syndrome the biggest challenge in Lara was the tendency of her eye to shrink. Further, being young, the tissues inside the eyes are very minute and tender, the treatment called for multiple interventions on these tiny tissues that also posed a high risk. We opted for a systematic approach that lasted around 4 hours. Firstly, we cleared the pupillary membrane, removed cataract and fixed IOL (Intraocular lens). Then we treated the ciliary process, released them and restored her vision.”
Sharing their joy, father – Mrs. Waleed said, “it was frustrating since last 4 years. Family has been mentally and physically drained, and lost hope of saving daughter from becoming visually challenged until we reached Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital. I am thankful to the ophthalmic experts for not only restoring the vision but also for giving us back our cheerful Lara.”
This case is a indication of medical expertise and also a an example of compassion and care without restricted boundaries. Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital’s World Sight Day Campaign was launched. This unique scheme is to create wakefulness and identify preventable blindness. Hospital conducted free eye check-up camps across its centres in the city.
