Since 1962, keratoplasty surgeries both lamellar & penetrating have been done regularly performed.  Donor corneal preservation with indigenously prepared MK media began in the 1982 and its modifications -  “RPC media” .  The Eye Bank association of India was formed in 1989 by the RP Centre.

 

Work with hand held Barraquer’s hand held microkeratome and epikeratoplasty were intiated in the centre, leading the country. Osteo-odontokeratoprosthesis, Fyodorov & Zuev keratoprosthesis was also used clinically for the first time here. The birth of refractive surgery was initiated with thermokeratoplasty for keratoconus in 1982 and has included elaborate work in radial keratotomy and now LASIK.

 

Work on limbal stem cell transplants, cadaveric and autologous, and amniotic membrane grafting are being performed at the Centre. Recent advancements in corneal surgery such as manual posterior lamellar keratoplasty, deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty, automated lamellar keratoplasty are also being carried out by this Unit. 

 

The glaucoma services provide sophisticated, state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities including computerized visual field testing, optic nerve imaging, Coherence Tomography to measure retinal nerve fiber thickness multiple methods of blood flow measurement and other specialized imaging modalities. The glaucoma clinic is equipped to diagnose glaucoma at very early stages even before there is significant loss of vision. The unit has conducted numerous studies on glaucoma to gain a better understanding of this disease. There is a continuous research programme in order to bring new drugs and surgical methods to patients as quickly as possible.

 

The unit also serves as a large referral centre for the treatment of congenital glaucoma, a rare condition with increased eye pressure and corneal enlargement present at birth or during the first few months of life. A wide range of medical and surgical options are available to treat infants and children with these disorders and the children receive short-term treatment of the immediate problem and long-term rehabilitative care and monitoring of their visual development.

 

The subspecialties provided by the unit are:

 

Cataract surgeryEye banking

Keratorefractive services

Glaucoma