Released on: July 10, 2008, 1:00 pm

Press Release Author: QuikRelations

Industry: Healthcare

Press Release Summary: GEI First in World to Conduct Successful Pilot Study of
'Ologen Implant in Phaco-Trab'
A three member team of ophthalmologists representing Grewal Eye Institute (GEI),
region's leading premium Eye Care Chain, has returned to Chandigarh after
participating in the 5-day World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC) 2008 conducted by the
International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) held at Hong Kong. Dr. SPS Grewal, CEO,
GEI, led the GEI team at the WOC 2008. Returing to City Beautiful, he announced that
GEI had once again done the country proud by becoming the first institute in the
world to successfully conduct a revolutionary Pilot Study on the use of 'Ologen
Biodegradable Collagen Matrix Implant' in 'Phacoemulsification combined with
Trabeculectomy' (Phaco-Trab).

Press Release Body: GEI First in World to Conduct Successful Pilot Study of 'Ologen
Implant in Phaco-Trab'

GEI Team returns after Successful Presentation of Original Research Work at World's
Most Prestigious Platform in Ophthalmology

"Pilot Study indicates 'Ologen Implant in Phaco-Trab' highly beneficial for
simultaneous surgical treatment of both Glaucoma & Cataract," says Dr Grewal

Chandigrah, July 11, 2008 ::

A three member team of ophthalmologists representing Grewal Eye Institute (GEI),
region's leading premium Eye Care Chain, has returned to Chandigarh after
participating in the 5-day World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC) 2008 conducted by the
International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) held at Hong Kong. Dr. SPS Grewal, CEO,
GEI, led the GEI team at the WOC 2008. Returing to City Beautiful, he announced that
GEI had once again done the country proud by becoming the first institute in the
world to successfully conduct a revolutionary Pilot Study on the use of 'Ologen
Biodegradable Collagen Matrix Implant' in 'Phacoemulsification combined with
Trabeculectomy' (Phaco-Trab).

The GEI team presented the successful results of the revolutionary first Pilot Study
of Ologen Implant in Phaco-Trab at the WOC, the Most Prestigious Platform for
Ophthalmology in the world. The Original Research Work done by GEI was presented
under the title of 'Adjunctive Use of Biodegradable Porous
Collagen-Glycosaminoglycan Implant in Phaco-Emulsification combined with
Trabeculectomy for Surgical Management of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma' to over
10,000 delegates from all over the world.

Speaking on the success of the pilot study, Dr Grewal said, "It is a matter of great
pride & honour for us to be at the forefront of revolutionary research work in the
international arena and to be the flag-bearers for our country at highly prestigious
platforms like the WOC. We are highly pleased with the pilot study results of the
use of Ologen Implant in Phaco-Trab for simultaneously surgically treating both
Cataract & Glaucoma. Uptil now, when an ophthalmologist decides to undertake
treating both Cataract & Glaucoma of the eye in a single surgery, the conventional
method available is 'Phaco-Trab with Mitomycin-C'. The use of Mitomycin-C in
Phaco-Trab many times leads to significant post-operative complications in the eye."

"It is a great achievement for us that we, at GEI, are playing our humble part in
the development of a safer and better alternative technique, the 'Ologen Implant in
Phaco-Trab'. After the resounding success of the pilot study and the exceedingly
encouraging response at the WOC, we are highly hopeful that as more and more
comprehensive research is done on this technique and as it becomes the primary
treatment for simultaneous Cataract-Glaucoma, millions of patients, not only in
India, but all over the world, will benefit from our hard work," adds Dr Grewal.

In the conventional method 'Phaco-Trab with Mitomycin-C', Mitomycin-C is used as a
Chemotherapeutic Agent. Its purpose is to maintain the surgically created passage by
inhibiting fibroblast proliferation. But its use leads to significant complications.
The major drawbacks of using Mitomycin-C are delayed wound healing, excessive
drainage & shallowing of anterior chamber of the eye, thin cystic bleb area, and
late wound dehiscence & high incidence of late endophthalmitis where patient
develops very serious infection in the eye years after the surgery. Also the use of
Mitomycin-C decreases the likelihood of an aggressive post-operative fibro-blast
mediated scarring process; it is radiomimetic, may cause widespread cell death,
induce acellularity and apoptosis, alter bleb morphology, and increase risk of
complications such as hypotony maculopathy, corneal toxicity, wound leakage,
infection and endophthalmitis.

The 'Ologen Biodegradable Collagen Matrix Implant' is a new, safer and more
effective alternative. Ologen is a Collagen Matrix Implant, a biodegradable
scaffold, which can induce a regenerative non-scarring wound healing process without
the use of medicines like Mitomycin-C. The Ologen Implant is a 3D
collagen-glycosaminoglycan copolymer that leads to a random reorganization of
regenerating myofibroblasts, fibroblasts and the extra-cellular matrix i.e.
collagen. This matrix has an added advantage that it is fully biodegradable with
time.

This collagen implant improves the remodeling of the regenerating tissues and
prevents scar formation. Ologen Collagen Matrix induces the fibroblasts to grow
randomly, and leads to the wound healing normally. The collagen's porous structure
can work as reservoir, a buffering system, and controlled drainage. It randomizes
the growth of myofibroblasts and creates a new physiologic environment between
anterior chamber and subconjunctival space. Unlike anti-fibrotic agents like
Mitomycin-C which reduce the physiologic barrier by inhibition, Ologen Implant
maintains the physiologic barrier by regeneration which keeps the function of bleb
and normalizes the dynamic aqueous balance to create a safe conjunctival system.

The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) (www.icoph.org) is an organization
founded in 1927 with the aim of educating ophthalmologists and helping them
participate in a worldwide community to share information, tools, and support. The
ICO is a federation of more than 100 national and subspecialty societies of
ophthalmologists and related organizations worldwide. The ICO hosts a variety of
proactive programs, including the biennial World Ophthalmology Congresses.

Grewal Eye Institute, with facilities at Chandigarh & Panchkula, is the world's
fourth JCI accredited and also India's first ISO 9001:2000 certified eye care
hospital chain. GEI is the single stop for all eye care needs under one roof. The
institute offers internationally benchmarked, premium quality eye care with many
cutting edge techniques like the 'iLASIK', the ultimate in laser vision correction,
available at a single premises. GEI has been at the forefront of bringing new
technological and medical tools not only to the region, but also to India. GEI
became the first institute in the entire Indian Sub-Continent to offer the
revolutionary 'Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin' (C3R) Treatment for the
dreaded Keratoconus disease.

The Grewal Group also offers India's first professional BSc (Hons) degree course in
Optometry and Ophthalmic Techniques under the GEI School of Optometry. Roshni, an
NGO by the group, aims at assisting poor eye patients in need of treatment. The
institute, through tie-ups with major national & international insurance firms,
offers cashless transactions. The informative & user-friendly website 'gei.co.in'
assists patients both from India & abroad. The institute keeps conducting various
eye camps, public education seminars and symposiums for the Continuous Medical
Education of Ophthalmologists, on a regular basis. ***

Backgrounder :: 'Phacoemulsification combined with Trabeculectomy' (Phaco-Trab)
Glaucoma (Kala Motia)
Glaucoma is a very serious eye disease. When the pressure of 'Aqueous Humuor', a
liquid in the eye, increases beyond a certain limit, it begins to damage the Optic
Nerve. This disease is called Glaucoma. If excessive damage to the nerve happens
before treatment it can even lead to blindness.

The way to prevent further damage to Optic Nerve, once Glaucoma is diagnosed, is to
decrease the pressure of 'Aqueous Humuor' within the eye and keep it within
controlled limits. This can be done via medicines at an early stage. However if the
disease is at an advanced stage, surgery is needed.
Trabeculectomy
In this surgical treatment for Glaucoma, miniature instruments are used to create a
new drainage channel, a new artificial passage for the out-flow of 'Aqueous Humuor'
thus decreasing the pressure within the eye.
Cataract (Safed Motia)
There is a natural lens within the eye that helps us see. However, sometimes, with
age, the natural lens within the eye gets clouded. When the lens develops cloudiness
to the point that it impairs vision, it is called Cataract.

The solution to Cataract is that the old diseased lens is removed from the eye and a
new artificial lens put in its place via surgery.
Phacoemulsification
Phacoemulsification Surgery is a highly advanced procedure for treatment of
Cataract. Phacoemulsification is conducted for removal of diseased lens and implant
of new artificial lens. This is no stitch-small incision surgery where the whole
procedure is conducted through an incision of just 2.6 mm.
'Phacoemulsification combined with Trabeculectomy' (Phaco-Trab)
In a number of cases, the patient is suffering from both Glaucoma & Cataract and the
diseases are at such an advanced stage that surgery is the only viable option. For
the benefit of these patients, ophthalmologists can conduct the 'Phacoemulsification
combined with Trabeculectomy' (Phaco-Trab) procedure. Here both Phacoemulsification
and Trabeculectomy are performed on the eye in a single surgery, through a single
incision. Hence both Glaucoma & Cataract are treated via a single procedure leading
to shorter hospital stay, less expenses and lesser risks as compared to two separate
surgeries.
'Phaco-Trab with Mitomycin-C'
The conventional method available for Phaco-Trab is 'Phaco-Trab with Mitomycin-C'.
In the conventional method 'Phaco-Trab with Mitomycin-C', Mitomycin-C is used as a
Chemotherapeutic Agent. Its purpose is to maintain the surgically created passage by
inhibiting fibroblast proliferation. But its use leads to significant complications.
The major drawbacks of using Mitomycin-C are delayed wound healing, excessive
drainage & shallowing of anterior chamber of the eye, thin cystic bleb area, and
late wound dehiscence & high incidence of late endophthalmitis where patient
develops very serious infection in the eye years after the surgery. Also the use of
Mitomycin-C decreases the likelihood of an aggressive post-operative fibro-blast
mediated scarring process; it is radiomimetic, may cause widespread cell death,
induce acellularity and apoptosis, alter bleb morphology, and increase risk of
complications such as hypotony maculopathy, corneal toxicity, wound leakage,
infection and endophthalmitis.
'Ologen Implant in Phaco-Trab'
The use of 'Ologen Biodegradable Collagen Matrix Implant' is the coming revolution
in Phaco-Trab. Highly successful results of the pilot study conducted at GEI have
already been presented at the World Ophthalmology Congress 2008.

The 'Ologen Biodegradable Collagen Matrix Implant' is a new, safer and more
effective alternative. Ologen is a Collagen Matrix Implant, a biodegradable
scaffold, which can induce a regenerative non-scarring wound healing process without
the use of medicines like Mitomycin-C. The Ologen Implant is a 3D
collagen-glycosaminoglycan copolymer that leads to a random reorganization of
regenerating myofibroblasts, fibroblasts and the extra-cellular matrix i.e.
collagen. This matrix has an added advantage that it is fully biodegradable with
time.

This collagen implant improves the remodeling of the regenerating tissues and
prevents scar formation. Ologen Collagen Matrix induces the fibroblasts to grow
randomly, and leads to the wound healing normally. The collagen's porous structure
can work as reservoir, a buffering system, and controlled drainage. It randomizes
the growth of myofibroblasts and creates a new physiologic environment between
anterior chamber and subconjunctival space. Unlike anti-fibrotic agents like
Mitomycin-C which reduce the physiologic barrier by inhibition, Ologen Implant
maintains the physiologic barrier by regeneration which keeps the function of bleb
and normalizes the dynamic aqueous balance to create a safe conjunctival system. ***

For further information, please contact:
Hospital Contact ::
Dr. S. P. S. Grewal
(Former Associate Professor, Deptt. of Ophthalmology, PGIMER, Chandigarh)
Grewal Eye Institute
The Premier Institute for COMPLETE Eye Care
(ISO 9001:2000 Certified)
SCO 166-169, Sector 9-C, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh - 160 009 (India)
Ph : +91-172-2747118, 5018969, 98761 16169
Fax : +91-172-2744843
Mail : drgrewal@gmail.com

Web Site: http://www.gei.co.in

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