Mercy Hospital creates history by saving the newborn

Friday September 17, 2010

Published in WEST BENGAL HEALTHCARE REVIEW – 5th edition (Page 68)

Specialities

Mercy Hospital creates history by saving the newborn
Dr. Iqbal Ebrahim

Tanya Mondol was born on November 15, 2009 at a Midnapore Bursing Home, to Aparna and Achinta Mondal. She weighed 500 grams at birth and was rushed to the Mercy hospital NICU, a 3 hour drive from the nursing home.

The doctors and nurses took it upon themselves to see the little miracle through. Debi, as she was apparently called ran the gamut of neonatal problems- respiratory distress syndrome, septicemia, neonatal jaundice, the rigors of total parenteral nutrition. She not only survived but did so without any neuro-disability except for Grade II Retinopathy which responded to laser therapy. Tanya is the smallest baby in the last 30 years of documented history to survice in Kolkata. We are extremely proud and possessive about her. She now weighs 4.5 kg at 8 months and is a bundle of joy for all round her. ( The author is Consultant Pediatrician & Neonatologist, Mercy Hospital and can be contacted at info@momhosptial.org)


Rare eye surgery at Mercy Hospital
A middle aged woman came to the outdoor of Dr. Partha Bandopadhyay, HOD, Ophthalmology department. On examination the patient was found to have advanced cataract in one of her eyes. Dr. Bandopadhyay accordingly suggested Phaco emulsification of the cataract along with implantation of a foldable intraocular lens.

Taking into consideration the patient’s relatively young age activity level and exposure to outdoor work Atrium Hydrophobic Acrylic Photochromic lens was chosen. This being the first Photochromic foldable lens in the world.

This photochromic lens claims to provide the following advantages over other regular foldable lenses.
           

  1. The color at the lens changes to yellow in 10 sec when exposed to sunlight and goes back to its original colorless state in 30 secs flat.
  2. In activated state is successfully blocks 50% of both violet and blue light which could potentially be more damaging in the long run.
  3. The photo stability property of the Particular Atrium ( Made in USA)  photochromic foldable IOL exceeds the standard set by ISO in Hydrolytic and Photostability.

Simply put in mimics the age old concept of using photocromatic spectacle lenses and goggles used in abandon to protect eyes from the harmful effect of ultra violet rays of sunlight specially in today’s ozone depleted earth.

In whole of West Bengal Dr. Partha Bandopadhyay was the first surgeon to achieve this rare feat in Mercy Hospital’s State of the Art Eye OT at Part Street.

Incidentaly the patient is very happy with the results and is in regular follow up.

The only deterrent to be overcome in future is the rather steep cost of the lens.
( Dr. Partha Bandopadhyay is Consultant Eye Surgeon, Mercy Hospital and can be contacted at info@momhosptial.org)