Wednesday, May 26, 2010

New diagnostic facility at RIO

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO) has become the first hospital in the government sector in the State to acquire the sophisticated Ophthalmic Electrophysiology unit, which, through a battery of tests will help in accurate clinical diagnosis of a range of retinal and optical nerve diseases.

The electrophysiology unit, set up at a cost of Rs.28 lakh and a tele ophthalmology unit at Rs.68 lakh, were commissioned at the RIO on Wednesday by Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy.

Electrophysiologic testing is useful in diagnosing a variety of inherited retinal diseases, toxic drug exposure, intraocular foreign bodies, and retinal vascular occlusions. Through a series of tests like electroretinography (ERG), electroculography (EOG), focal macular electroretinography (FERG), ophthalmologists can assess the functioning of the visual pathway from the retina to the brain and can reach an accurate clinical diagnosis. The acquisition of such modern diagnostic facilities will make the RIO a comprehensive eye care centre, Superintendent V. Sahasranamam said.

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