Minto Ophthalmic Institute has been selected to conduct state and central government funded eye research programmes. The hospital has been short listed for the research programmes mainly because it is an Apex body for Ophthalmology and a Centre for Excellence in eye care for many of the neighbouring states in the country. The Institute allows its team of ophthalmologists to interact and treat a wide variety of eye disorders and diseases.

The hospital is the first government facility in the State to install 'Accrus' Vitrectomy machine purchased from the US-based Alcol at a cost of around Rs. 40 lakh. The state-of-the-art equipment is used to perform posterior segment of the eye for retinal detachment, vitreous haemorrhage and diabetic retinopathy conditions.

"We are a 102-year-old hospital in the State and as a regional institute of ophthalmology we have the expertise to 'test & treat' which makes us capable to undertake research studies", Dr. A R Aruna, director, Minto Ophthalmic Institute told Pharmabiz.com.

Among the ongoing research programmes conducted at the behest of the Council of Scientific and Industrial (CSIR) and the Indian Institute of Science is a study on the primary open end glaucoma. For the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Minto ophthalmologists are currently analysing the Globlet cell density in individuals and the use of Povidone in infections.

A study conducted on the HIV reports in Retina, which was funded by the Karnataka Directorate of Medical Education, has been completed and the report of the investigation has been submitted.

The hospital was not able to provide details of the funding for the research project mainly because it was not involved in the same. During research projects, the government expects to utilise our facility and expertise to provide the research findings. The research projects provide our ophthalmologists a better understanding of the disease, said Dr. Aruna adding that as a State government run institution, we receive a government grant of around 70 lakh every quarter, out of which a major chunk is allocated for salaries of staff.

For the research, the hospital tabulates the study based on diagnosis, treatment and successful therapies available for the disorders. In the study on HIV reports in Retina, the hospital could establish its finding that an HIV infected case in all probability could have his eyes affected with the disease, informed Dr. Aruna.

As a tertiary care centre with a 300-bed facility, 35 ophthalmologists and four well equipped operation theatres for Retina, major disorders, minor eye problems and outpatient operative procedures, several international and Indian pharmaceutical companies have been conducting clinical trails at the hospital. The two ongoing trials are the use of Ketorolac for pre and postoperative conditions and early Betadine debridement for corneal ulcers.