A collaborative effort amongst various countries to conduct randomized multi-center clinical trials on ocular oncology has been announced by the XI International Congress of Ocular Oncology (ICOO 2004), held at Hyderabad last week.
These trials will help in establishing standardized protocols to be followed by Ocular Oncologists. Indian researchers can contribute significantly within the framework of these trials and also have the chance to offer care of international standards. The collaborative efforts will also bring expertise, knowledge and profile to Indian Ophthalmologists and put them in leadership position at the International level, said Dr. Arun D. Singh, chairman, organizing committee, ICOO 2004 and director, Ophthalmic Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio.
Dr. Singh said, developing countries need more trained specialists to handle the high incidence of Ocular Oncological cases in their countries. He said that the specialists from developed countries have expressed interest to extend the much needed training to such specialists from developing nations. He said, the problem in developing nations besides, the lack of trained specialists is the lack of awareness and knowledge among the people, Physicians and Paediatricians. He added, that this Congress in India has created enough interest amongst young Ophthalmologists to pursue a career in this specialization, which will help in bridging the gap in terms of specialists required to treat in India.
Dr. Santosh Honavar, organizing secretary, ICOO 2004, said, India has the state-of-the-art and comprehensive facilities and well experienced specialists on par with the western countries to handle cases of eye tumors. Today, the emphasis of treatment is on preserving the eye and preserving the vision. The Paediatricians and Ophthalmologists can play a vital role in early detection of eye tumors and referring such patients to specialized centers. As early detection can help in preserving the eye and vision and providing complete cure. He said, the precautionary measure one can adopt is to avoid sanguinous marriages. A white spot in the center of the eye is an early sign of retinoblastoma and such children need to be taken immediately to an Ophthalmologist.
Dr. Honavar, said, earlier the option for retinoblastoma was removal of eye but the current option is to preserve both the eye and vision. The treatment varies from patient to patient and the options available are surgery, laser treatment, cryotherapy, chemotherapy, radiation etc. The treatment could sometimes involve multiple options like laser therapy and chemotherapy.
He said, the country has a great constraint in terms of trained specialists in treating Ocular Oncology cases. There are only six ocular Oncologists and three hospitals having facility to treat eye tumors in India. They are L.V. Prasad Eye Institute in association with Apollo Cancer Hospital at Hyderabad, Shankar Netralaya in association with Apollo Cancer Hospital at Chennai and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi. To increase the number of specialists in this area, Ocular Oncology courses should be introduced in medical education at Graduation and Post Graduation levels. On account of the high incidence of retinoblastoma in India, at least one Ocular Oncology specialist team and facility is required in each State.
Dr. Michael Giblin, Ophthalmologist and Ocular Oncologist, Sydney Eye Hospital, Australia, announced that they would enter into collaboration with L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (Hyderabad) in various aspects of Ocular Oncology.