Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali conducts 8 free cataract surgeries

Mohali, October 10, 2013: Max Super Speciality Hospital (MSSH), Mohali living up to its commitment of conducting free surgeries for the economically weaker sections have conducted  8 free cataract surgeries that were funded by Max India Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility Wing of the Max Group. The surgeries were performed by a team led by Dr. Harpreet Kapoor, Senior Consultant, Ophthalmology recently
The treated patients included Prem Lata, a resident of Ropar, Gurnam Kaur , a widow from Babani Khurd and Dharam Kaur a destitute mother of three.
The surgeries were performed by phacoemulsification technique, a minimally invasive and small-incision surgery. Dr Harpreet Kapoor informed that although there were different types of intraocular lenses available, the lens inserted after phacoemulsification surgery was unique as it could be folded to be introduced through the small incision created. In this type of cataract  surgery, a small incision size required no stitches to close the wound, the patient has negligible post operative discomfort and faster visual recovery. There were no restrictions of diet or physical activity after surgery and the patient could resume the normal life in a matter of days, maintained Dr Kapoor.
Dr Kapoor further said that Cataract was a leading cause of blindness and was presented in more than half of all cases of blindness. It was an age-related condition in which the lens of the eye became cloudy hence the blurring vision. There was no eye drop or medication scientifically proven to prevent, reduced or reversed the cataract. Surgery was the only definitive treatment of cataract. Considering the monetary constraints, these 8 poor patients were neglecting their treatment which could have led to complete blindness if not operated at the right time, Dr Kapoor remarked.  
Complimenting the team for this noble act and announcing the successful free surgeries on World Sight Day today, Dr Ashutosh Sood, GM Operations, MSSH, Mohali said that Max Healthcare and its team has always been sensitive towards providing the best of medical care besides further strengthening its community outreach programmes for the underprivileged. The free surgeries were the further reaffirmation of our care and concern for the weaker sections of the society, asserted Dr Sood.
Mohini Daljeet Singh, Head, Max India Foundation said that we at Max India Foundation were committed towards making specialised healthcare services accessible to the less privileged people of the society. Through these free eye surgeries, we hoped to address the growing problem of Cataract in Punjab. Considering the monetary constraints, Cataract surgery was often neglected or delayed by the low economic group people. Till date we have facilitated 330 cataract surgeries, she informed.
Meanwhile to mark World Sight Day, the hospital has conducted a 2-day free eye-check up camp at its premises that concluded today. The camp was organised to raise awareness about blindness and visual impairment. Apart from free eye check-ups, people were also availed free consultations with the eye specialists and benefits on eye surgeries. www.cityairnews.com