Endocyclophotocoagolation (ECP) Machine
It is estimated that approximately 11.2 million people aged 40 years and
older suffer from glaucoma in India. According to WHO estimates, glaucoma is now the second leading cause of blindness globally, after cataract.
Glaucoma is an irreversibly blinding disease and the treatment options (when conventional methods fail) are very limited. Traditionally, cyclodestructive procedures have been used to treat refractory glaucoma by blindly ‘targeting’ the tissue to control the eye pressure, but this leads to a high rate of complications and unpredictability.
Recently, a new device called the Endocyclophotocoagolation (ECP) machine has been developed, which combines a laser source, endoscope, and an illumination beam in the same probe. This instrument has the unique ability to simultaneously visualise and treat the ciliary body through a pars plana, anterior segment approach or other intraocular procedures.
Various studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the ECP machine in the treatment of refractory glaucoma.
L V Prasad Eye Institute’s mission is to provide equitable and efficient eye care to all sections of society. The Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation extended its support to the Institute, helping them acquire the Endocyclophotocoagolation (ECP) machine.
The L V Prasad Eye Institute provides treatment to a large number of patients with refractory adult and paediatric glaucoma. When all other measures have failed, doctors can control and treat these conditions with the help of the ECP machine.
It helps to explore newer areas of treatment that were not available to patients in the past. With the assistance of the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation, the Institute has been able to offer hope to a large number of patients suffering from end-stage corneal conditions such as the Stevens – Johnson syndrome, Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid, severe allergies, and chemical burns of the eye. It has also enabled them to facilitate a variety of unique technologies such as Stem Cell Therapy and Boston Keratoprosthesis (artificial corneal transplant), thereby enhancing diagnosis and improving the quality of treatments.
L V Prasad Eye Institute is a comprehensive eye health facility headquartered in Hyderabad, India. A WHO Collaborating Centre for Prevention of Blindness, the Institute offers comprehensive patient care, sight enhancement and rehabilitation services and high-impact rural eye health programmes. It also pursues cutting edge research and offers training in human resources for all levels of ophthalmic personnel.