The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Tiruchi News : `Eye cancer among Kerala infants on the rise'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

`Eye cancer among Kerala infants on the rise'

By Our Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI, FEB. 1. Incidence of eye cancer among infants of Kerala is on the rise, and Aravind Hospital, Coimbatore, has set up a centre to treat them, according to G. Venkataswamy, chairman, Aravind Eye Care System.

On an average, 30 to 40 infants, in the 2-3 age group, were being admitted to the hospital, but what worries specialists is that the disease will prove fatal if it spreads to the cerebral part, Dr. Venkataswamy told The Hindu here on Sunday.

Genetic factor

The hospital conducted a study in Kerala and genetic factor was responsible for cancer. The presence of radioactive sand on the western coast, especially in Kerala, might cause the disease among infants. The emission of rays from the radioactive elements in the sand should be analysed.

Stressing the need for creating eye-care awareness, Dr. Venkataswamy said children were afflicted with several eye ailments. "Several complain of eye bleeding, cataract and glaucoma.''

The incidence of measles among women during the second or third month of pregnancy caused vision defects among children.

As it went unnoticed in the early stage, it became too complex. Diabetes was another cause of concern.

The hospital has launched a special scheme to administer Rubella vaccine to adolescent girls in the age group of 14-16.

`Extend the programme'

The `National Programme for Control of Blindness', which the Centre implements along with State Governments and private hospitals, should focus on curing several eye ailments among different age groups. Now it was confined to curing cataract among the aged.

Dr. Venkataswamy said the State Government should initiate action to set up taluk-level eye hospitals.

Aravind Hospital chalked out programmes to create awareness of obesity and diabetes and other ailments that would lead to blindness.

Earlier, he declared open the new building of the Mahatma Eye Hospital at Thennur here. The Corporation Commissioner, Harmander Singh, inaugurated the laser department.

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