SAFEGUARDING THE WINDOWS TO THE SOUL

On cataract surgeries and the urgent need for access, brain and spine innovations, maternal health amidst rising heat, sickle cell care and more

- 

It’s one of the most common surgeries performed, a procedure that practically everyone has heard of and perhaps one that most of us will have to undergo, but cataract surgeries are still not available and accessible to all -- cataracts continue to account for about 40% of all cases of existing blindness, and in India, remain the leading cause of blindness.

In fact, as of 2023, the World Health Organization estimated that only 17% of people with vision impairment due to cataract have received access to an appropriate intervention. This, despite the surgery being one of the safest and least resource-intensive of procedures. We take our vision for granted most times, never really thinking about our eyes or how they work despite their being crucial to every aspect of our lives, but this June, observed as Cataract Awareness Month, is as good time a time as any, to learn and understand more about them. And to this end, we have two stories on cataract for you: Dr. S. Soundari explains the hows and whys of cataracts and the surgery required, and Dr. C. Aravinda and Dr. Sangeetha Raja give you a glimpse of the history and the evolution of the procedure that is now used to treat millions.

Speaking of surgeries, here are a few more stories of interest, delving into medical procedures for the brain and spine: Dr. Ari G. Chacko explores advances in brain tumour care, while Dr. G. Sudhir and Dr. K. Karthik Kailash explain how minimally invasive spine surgery has transformed the landscape of spinal care.