GULBARGA: U.S.-based ophthalmologist Chandrappa S. Reshmi, a pioneer in intraocular lens (IOL) implant surgery and other innovative ophthalmic surgical procedures, has stressed the need for systematic screening in all schools to diagnose eye defects.

Delivering a special lecture on the topic "Eye Over the Time" for students of Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College at the auditorium of the Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital here, Dr. Reshmi said that most of the eye diseases leading to blindness could be treated if these were diagnosed in the initial stage.

Dr. Reshmi, who did his MBBS in Karnataka Medical College in 1957, worked as a house surgeon in Minto Eye Hospital in Bangalore, before joining St. Joseph's Hospital in Ohio, U.S., as an intern

He later worked under Miles Galin, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at New York Medical College. It was at this college that Dr. Reshmi became a pioneer in new procedures, including intraocular lens implant surgery, which ultimately revolutionised cataract surgery.

India had the highest number of cataract-affected people in the world, he said.

He said that a major threat to eyesight was the problem of glaucoma, which could be treated if detected early. Glaucoma did not have any symptoms and affected the optic nerve, he said.

Medical director of the M R Medical College and Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital P.S. Shankar welcomed the gathering. Superintendent of the hospital Shivaraj Alashetty proposed a vote of thanks.

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