Milind Bhide, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Hyderabad
Eye Centre candidly says some medical guidelines are grey! In conversation with Pragya Gupta, ENN
What is the role of IT in Ophthalmology?
Just as any branch of medicine, IT plays crucial role in ophthalmology too. If you want to take advantage of IT you can do it. But Im a little bit traditional in implementing IT, as it smells some sort of advertising, when you roll it out. As a doctor we are not allowed to advertise. However, most people do it in their centers. I dont think it is bad as long you are grounded with the facts and not inflating them. It is good to have a website. With a website you can showcase what you are doing. Nowadays everyone checks the website before visiting a doctor visit. Few years back nobody used to look at the net and do some research before finalising a doctor. Website helps in getting consultation and to get the contacts of the clinics.
What are the leading technologies in eye care?
In Ophthalmology 90 percent work is related to cataract surgery, although there is a new trend of correction of Myopia. Three years back cataract surgery was the concept that unlike in the older days when we learnt in 1989 of making of good stitches and all, all these things have gone. I learnt it in England and put it in practice there and came back in 1999. Ever since then, in 20 years I have been doing this sort of surgery but there are more developments now. New lenses are coming now. All those lenses were not earlier. The newer material lenses, newer technical superior lenses or we called advanced optic lenses, multi focused lenses etc. However, surgical part has not changed much I would say from 1999; its the technology in the lenses that have changed so much. Development in the surgical segment is a two way developments. One: the cuts are becoming smaller and smaller that ensures healing is faster. The second thing which has come very late even that technology is not available in one or two centers of Hyderabad which is called Phacoemulsification surgery or Phaco surgery which is basically what we are doing
Is there any kind of technology that has given us finer lenses?
It is the western concept of not wearing glasses, thats why the newer developments have come in lenses so that with the help of these lenses one does not need to wear glasses. But if the patient is ready to wear glasses, then theres no need of any lens. If the patient says Im 70 years old and have worn glasses for 30 odd years and I have no issues in wearing glasses then we will be happy to prescribe glasses.
Is the technology put them in any kind of risk?
Glasses just help them to see well. Glasses have some advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages are like with a spectacle side vision become less, blur, then sometime people forget to carry glasses and they become handicapped therefore everybody wants to be free from glasses. Young generation more likely to go with a Lasik surgery and even some older people too.
How to deal with the myths associated with Lasik surgery?
Lasik surgery is an established treatment now; I dont see there is any challenge associated with it. Yes, there are few complications but then every surgery has complications. I think Lasik is worth doing, its quick and gives excellent vision. However, if you follow the guidelines after Lasik surgery chances of any complications will decrease.
But people are slow in following guidelines?
Yes, everything is becoming so commercial. You have to accept that, people are so tempting about money. Therefore some guidelines or prescribed medicines are grey. Yet, few practitioners stick to the rules and some do not. Im happy to see ourselves in the latter category.
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