L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) has now opened the Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer. It will help save countless lives through its early detection and integrated treatment programmes, said Brian Foster, executive director of Operation Eyesight Universal.

In 2013, while strategizing for the next 25 years, LVPEI identified six Centres of Excellence focusing on specific areas of need and employing the latest knowledge and technology.

“The Institute of Eye Cancer was one of our plans for next 25, and we have been building a multi-disciplinary, comprehensive unit to our existing Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad to consolidate our leadership position. The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer will provide high-quality, comprehensive treatment for the entire range of ophthalmic tumors in both adults and children. It will emerge as a centre of excellence, offering critically required services to India and the developing countries through research, capacity-building and education programmes,” said Dr Gullapalli N Rao – Founder and Chair, L V Prasad Eye Institute.

Since 1963, Operation Eyesight Universal has been working in India, where there is the highest number of new retinoblastoma cases in the world. This life-threatening eye cancer, along with other types of ocular cancer, has largely remained undetected due to lack of awareness and the limited availability of affordable eye cancer management services.

“A third of eye cancer patients are present in India. It carries the biggest burden of retinoblastoma (a deadly eye cancer in children) globally. At our centre in here, we see over 400 patients with eye cancer each year and we have been striving to offer sophisticated and cost effective treatment. In that regard, we have partnered with Operation Eyesight Universal to offer the best to our patients,” said Dr Swathi Kaliki - Consultant, Ocular Oncology Service, L V Prasad Eye Institute.

The Operation Eyesight Universal Institute for Eye Cancer will play a vital role in increasing awareness about eye cancer leading to early diagnosis and treatment. Patients will receive the specialized services they require, and those who cannot afford to pay will be offered treatment free of cost. The centre is expected to treat 500 patients in its first year of operation.