Released on = September 27, 2006, 12:21 pm

Press Release Author = InfoMailers.com

Industry = Healthcare

Press Release Summary = Grewal Eye Institute (GEI) has become the first and the only
institute, in the whole Indian Sub-Continent to offer the revolutionary *\'Collagen
Crosslinking with Riboflavin\' (C3R) Treatment* to the masses. The C3R procedure, the
only known treatment that can permanently halt the progression of the dreaded
Keratoconus disease. GEI, now, offers comprehensive treatment for this previously
untreatable disease.

Press Release Body = GREWAL EYE INSTITUTE FIRST TO OFFER C3R CROSSLINKING TREATMENT
IN THE ENTIRE INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT

"C3R crosslinking only treatment to halt progression of Keratoconus," says Dr SPS
Grewal

C3R Crosslinking, Latest Advancement in Ophthalmology, Internationally Launched This
Month, Ray of Hope for Lacs of Indian Keratoconus Patients

Chandigarh, September 27, 2006 (InfoMailers.com) --
Grewal Eye Institute (GEI), the premier comprehensive Eye Care Institute based at
Chandigarh, has achieved a new high in bringing the latest technological advancement
in the field of eye care, by becoming the first and the only institute, not only in
India, but in the whole Indian Sub-Continent to offer the revolutionary 'Corneal
Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin' (C3R) Treatment to the masses. The C3R
procedure, the only known treatment that has recently been proven to permanently
halt the progression of the dreaded Keratoconus disease, was commercially launched
globally in the second week of this month itself. By procuring this once-in-a-decade
technological break-through in less than two weeks of its launch, GEI is now one of
the few eye institutes in the world and the only in Indian subcontinent, to offer
comprehensive treatment now available for this previously untreatable disease. This
was announced here today by Dr. SPS Grewal, CEO, GEI.

The C3R Treatment is a ray of hope for lacs of Indian Keratoconus Patients, who,
before the launch of this advanced procedure, were resigned to the vagaries of fate.
This is because Keratoconus is amongst the most dreaded of eye diseases, as in most
of the cases, the disease progresses relentlessly during the young age, does not
have any acute symptoms initially and thus is often not detected in the early
stages. In the advanced stages, the only treatment options available earlier were
surgical insertion of 'Intacs' or a 'Corneal Transplant', both of which have limited
success on many grounds, like trauma to the eye, numerous precautions required
post-surgery and a long recovery period etc. Most importantly, from both the
doctors' & patients' perspective, neither of the operations guaranteed a stoppage of
the disease. There was always the possibility of setting in of Keratoconus again,
even after the operation. This made the situation a frustrating one for both the
patient and the doctor.

Speaking at the press conference Dr S.P.S. Grewal, (CEO), GEI said, "C3R is a
non-surgical procedure. Also it is the only known procedure that is proven to halt
the progression of the dreaded Keratoconus. This treatment now offers an end to a
lifetime of waiting and uncertainty for Keratoconus patients. This is a simple
one-time treatment that offers a permanent solution to Keratoconus. It does not need
heavy precautions or regular follow-up visits, does not need an eye donor as
required in 'Corneal Transplant', does not require any stitches or incision in the
eye, takes just around one hour and the patient recovery is quick. This procedure is
a boon for patients with keratoconus".

Keratoconus weakens the cornea of the eye causing the eye to bulge outwards and
producing moderate to severe blurriness of vision. In the C3R procedure, the eye is
impregnated with a riboflavin solution and exposed to ultra-high frequency light.
C3R causes the collagen fibrils to thicken, stiffen, and crosslink & re-attach to
each other, making the cornea stronger and more stable thus convincingly halting the
progression of the disease. This technique can also be used in corneal ulcers and
before LASIK treatment in high Myopes to reduce the risk of postoperative
Keratectasia.

Like all treatments, this procedure is most beneficial when performed at the
earliest possible stage of Keratoconus when the visual and mechanical damage to the
cornea is minimal. This is where the role of modern topography devices such as the
Pentacam lies. The Pentacam helps to detect Keratoconus much before it can be
detected in a clinical examination and ensures that the disease is permanently
halted by C3R before any serious damage to the eye.

The C3R procedure was launched internationally at the 24th Congress of the European
Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) held at London from September
9-13, 2006 where Dr SPS Grewal and team presented their research work on Pentacam.

Speaking at the press conference DR SPS Grewal said, "It is always our endeavour to
bring the best, safest and the latest technologies & advancements in the field of
eye care to patients in our region. The continued faith, patronage and trust of our
patients in the region, nationally and internationally, inspires us to continue to
push the limits of excellence and community service here at GEI. We are very happy
to be the first and only institute in the Indian Sub-Continent to offer the C3R
procedure. For the field of Opthhalmology the treatment of Keratoconus is as
significant as bypass surgery or angioplasty in cardiology. It is matter of great
satisfaction to us that our patients will be amongst the first to benefit from this
revolutionary procedure. Today we reaffirm our commitment to lead the way in
procuring and advancing cutting-edge solutions to eye diseases." ***

Keratoconus and C3R - A Few Details

Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a degenerative non-inflammatory disorder of the eye in which
structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical
shape than its normal gradual curve. Keratoconus can cause substantial distortion of
vision, with multiple images, streaking and sensitivity to light all often reported
by the patient. Though frequently thought of as a rare condition, Keratoconus is the
most common dystrophy of the cornea, affecting around one person in a thousand. It
is typically diagnosed in the patient's adolescent years and attains its most severe
state in the twenties and thirties. The course of its progression following
diagnosis is unpredictable. If in both eyes, the deterioration in vision associated
with the disease can affect the person's ability to drive a car or read normal
print. Over 90% of patients have involvement of both eyes, though it is not unusual
for there to be asymmetric changes, with one eye being more involved than the other.


The abnormal curvature of the cornea due to Keratoconus changes the cornea's
refractive error producing moderate to severe blurriness of vision. Keratoconus is
an irregular protrusion of the cornea, the clear surface over the colored part of
the eye. It is similar, structurally, to the crystal of a watch. If this crystal or
windowpane is not smooth, the light will not bend evenly and an irregular image will
be formed, like looking through a bumpy piece of glass.

Diagnosis of Keratoconus

The only clue to a Keratoconus diagnosis may be from corneal measurements or a
corneal topography map. A topographical map of the cornea will show the high and low
spots on the cornea, much like a topographical map of the earth will show the
mountains and oceans. This is where the role of modern topography devices like the
Pentacam lies. The Pentacam helps to detect Keratoconus much before it can be
detected in a clinical examination.

'Corneal Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin' (C3R)

The latest revolutionary Keratoconus treatment is C3R (Corneal Collagen Crosslinking
with Riboflavin) that has been proven to strengthen the weak corneal structure. This
method works by increasing collagen crosslinking, which are the natural "anchors"
within the cornea. These anchors are responsible for preventing the cornea from
bulging out and becoming steep and irregular, consequence of advanced Keratoconus.
C3R causes the collagen fibrils to thicken, stiffen, and crosslink & reattach to
each other, making the cornea stronger and more stable thus provenly halting the
progression of the disease. This technique can also be used in corneal ulcers and
before LASIK treatment in high Myopes to reduce the risk of postoperative
Keratectasia.

The Procedure

The C3R treatment is performed in just 30 minutes. During the treatment, custom-made
riboflavin eye drops are applied to the cornea, which is then activated by
ultraviolet light. This amazingly simple process has been shown in laboratory and
clinical studies to increase the amount of collagen cross-linking in the cornea and
strengthen the cornea.

The Advantages of C3R over other treatments

Contact Lenses - RGP Contact Lenses

In mild or early stages, eyeglasses or normal contact lenses may correct the
astigmatic vision. Contact lenses in Keratoconus are not easy to fit, usually not
very comfortable. They need constant maintenance and frequent follow ups with the
doctor. As Keratoconus advances, rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses maybe the
only non-surgical way to achieve clear vision. But contact lens fitting of a patient
with Keratoconus requires much care and frequent check-ups, because the condition
can worsen. Most importantly, they do not arrest the progress of disease. Also there
can be scarring as a result of contact lens wear causes problems of its own.

Intacs

A recent surgical alternative to corneal transplant is the insertion of intrastromal
corneal ring segments. A small incision is made in the periphery of the cornea and
two thin arcs of polymethyl methacrylate slid between the layers of the corneal
stroma on either side of the pupil, the incision then being closed. The segments
push out against the curvature of the cornea, flattening the peak of the cone and
returning it to a more natural shape. However intacs do not inherently alter the
biomechanical structural integrity of the cornea and thus may not be a permanent
solution. If the refraction changes over a period of time after inserting the intacs
rings they would need to be removed. Another advantage of C3R over Intacs is that
C3R does not involve any incisions as in Intacs.

Corneal Transplant

A corneal transplant may be needed when vision cannot be corrected satisfactorily
using other procedures such as contact lenses and glasses, or if painful swelling
cannot be relieved by medications. A corneal transplant, also known as a corneal
graft, or as a penetrating Keratoplasty, involves the removal of the central portion
called a button of the diseased cornea and replacing it with clear healthy donor
button. The donor cornea button is sewed into the defect created by removal of the
diseased cornea. But a corneal transplant is dependent on eye donation and requires
a long healing period. The recovery of vision may not be very good. Long term
studies show that Keratoconus can recur even after Keratoplasty.

Adavantages of C3R

Simple one time treatment
No periodic treatments required
Halts the progress and causes some regression
It is permanent
No handling of lenses every day
Does not need any eye donation
No precaution
No injection
No stitches as in Keratoplasty
No incisions as in Intacs
Quick recovery, short follow up. ***

-.-.-.-

For Further Information, Please Contact ::
--------------------------------------
Dr. S. P. S. Grewal
(Former Associate Professor, Deptt. of Ophthalmology, PGIMER, Chandigarh)
Grewal Eye Institute
The Premiere Institute for COMPLETE Eye Care
(ISO 9001:2000 Certified)
SCO 168-169, Sector 9-C, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh - 160 009 (India)
Ph : +91-172-2747118, 5193969
Fax : +91-172-2744843
Mail : drgrewal@gmail.com
Website : www.lasikgei.com

Web Site = http://www.lasikgei.com

Contact Details = Dr. S. P. S. Grewal
(Former Associate Professor, Deptt. of Ophthalmology, PGIMER, Chandigarh)
Grewal Eye Institute
The Premiere Institute for COMPLETE Eye Care
(ISO 9001:2000 Certified)
SCO 168-169, Sector 9-C, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh - 160 009 (India)
Ph : +91-172-2747118, 5193969
Fax : +91-172-2744843
Mail : drgrewal@gmail.com
Website : www.lasikgei.com