Seminar on ‘Glaucoma — a fresh perspective’
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 3
In most of the developing countries, including India, eye diseases are not taken seriously. Any problem in the eye is an emergency as it not only threatens the visual potential but may even cause loss of eye.

A local medical centre, Grewal Eye Institute (GEI), has evolved a unique awareness programme for doctors and eye patients — “See, What You Have Been Missing!”, under which general practitioners along with people in general are being made aware of the symptoms of various eye diseases along with the prevention aspects. Even healthy people are being provided information about the precautionary methods to prevent eye ailments. Changes in life styles have made us prone to eye ailments and it is all the more important to take remedial steps to prevent eye diseases.

A first of its kind, symposium on “Glaucoma — A Fresh Perspective” for Practicing Ophthalmologists (eye surgeons), was organised here yesterday at the Grewal Eye Institute. Nearly 150 doctors from around the region participated in the programme. Leading and eminent Glaucoma experts addressed the gathering. Presentations were made on the Medical Management of Glaucoma, Glaucoma — The Clinical Diagnosis, and Newer Imaging Techniques in Glaucoma.

The programme was divided into two sessions. Dr S.S. Pandav (PGIMER, Chandigarh) presided over the morning session while the afternoon session was presided over by Dr Harsh Kumar (AIIMS, New Delhi). Those who addressed the seminar also included glaucoma experts like Dr Kirti Singh (Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi) and Dr Devinder Sood (Shroff Eye Centre, New Delhi) covering important topics such as Surgical Management of Glaucoma, Paediatric Glaucoma, Visual Fields Automated Perimetry — Tips and Pitfalls, etc.

It was highlighted that glaucoma usually occurs in the age group of 35 and beyond. Unfortunately, in most cases there are no obvious symptoms. A person suffering from glaucoma may not have any symptoms. Only a detailed examination of the eye will be able to diagnose it. Experts agreed that all persons above the age of 40 years should make sure that their intra-ocular pressure is recorded. Glaucoma is a life-long diagnosis and needs a life long treatment and monitoring. Significance of regular use of medicine and check-up was also highlighted. Glaucoma is preventable blindness, but the lost vision cannot be regained.

It was emphasised that the first line of treatment is drugs. Laser has a role in certain cases and if they fail, one resorts to surgery.

A serious and fruitful discussion followed the presentations. The highlight of the programme was active participation by the delegates, which generated thought provoking and practical solutions to the questions from the audience.

Dr S.P.S. Grewal, Founder and CEO, Grewal Eye Institute, told mediapersons that developing countries like ours were 10 to 20 times more prone to eye diseases than the developed countries.

Dharam Singh enters bantam final
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, March 3
The penultimate day of the ongoing 10th All India AK Misra Memorial Boxing Championship here at Sector 10 Skating Rink, saw city pugilist Dharam Singh making short work of Kamaldeep of Punjab Police on points to make his way in the final in bantam weight. Another city boxer, Dharmendra (light flyweight) and Ajay Singh (light welter- weight), also from Chandigarh, however, went down fighting to their respective rivals Arun Singh of Punjab Police and Deepak Tamang of Assam Rifles.

Results) semi-finals :

Light flyweight: Arun Singh (PP) b Dharmendra (Chd); Khimanand Belwal (ASI) b Sonu (Har);

Fly weight; Daiphale (ISTC) b Dilip K Pauri (ASI); Ashwani Sharma (PP) b Harpreet Singh (Pun);

Bantam weight; Dharam Singh (Chd) b Kamaldeep (PP); Kamal Chauhan (HP) b BD Handal (Meg);

Feather weight: Mohan Singh (AR) b Subodh Dhyani (UTR); S MIkel Mitei (ISTC) b G Satya Raju (ASI);

Light weight: Gurpreet Singh (PP) lost to CA Kuttappa (ASI); Amit K Sahlawat (PFC) lost to Som Nath Singh (Pun);

Light welterweight: Deepak Tamang (AR) b Ajay Singh (Chd); Pawan Kumar (Har) b Jagdish Parshad (ISTC);

Welter weight: K Sanjeet Singh (AR) b Anil Kumar (CISF) : A Santosh Kumar (ASI) Phool Kumar (Meg);

Middle weight: Rajesh Kumar (CISF) b Manjit Singh (ITBP): Harpal Singh (ASI) b Ram Singh (PP) ;

Light heavyweight: Uma Shankar (ITBP) b Annesh Thakur (UP); Narinder Kumar (Pun) b Gurmail Singh;

Super heavyweight: Deepak Ayagi (Raj) b Avtar Singh (PEPSU); RK Patel (ISTC) b Sunil Arya (CISF).

Total Tennis

Raman Kumar of Jalandhar continued with his winning spree by sailing in the finals of above 35- year section of the Arjun Singh Memorial Total Tennis Championship here today at the Total Tennis Academy, YMCA, Sector 11, Chandigarh.

Raman got the better of Narinder Rawal of Chandigarh in a one sided affair. For above 35-year section, Harish Saini and TPS Mann will clash in the semi-final. For above 45 years, SM Sharma and AK Kaushal downed Sunil Bajaj and Sanjeev Sodhi to move in the last four of the event.

Photo exhibition

The Photo Exhibition of ICC World Cup-2003, organised by Shri Gurudev Photo Color, Sector 17, was formally inaugurated by Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, Sports Minister, Punjab this evening. This exhibition will display over 100 photographs of the ICC World Cup-2003 being held in South Africa and also of the previous World Cups. It will remain open till March 29.

SBP sports meet concludes
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 3
The second Central Sports Meet of the State Bank of Patiala concluded at Government College of Physical Education, Patiala yesterday. The teams comprising six zones — Delhi, Patiala, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi and Jalandhar participated. The Delhi Zone bagged the overall trophy.

On the occasion the bank also honoured its cricket, table tennis and chess teams who had secured top position during the recently concluded first Bank Olympiad at Bangalore. Mr A.K. Das, Managing Director, State Bank of Patiala, gave away the prizes, Mr J.R. Devgan, Mr Pradeep Shankar and Mr M. M. Sehgal all General Managers of the bank were also present.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Das hailed India’s victory over Pakistan in the World Cup and wished the team further success in the supersix. The following are the final results:

Men’s Caroom (National) Single: Sushil Marwaha, (Jalandhar Zone) 1, Gian Sethi (Patiala Zone) 2, J.S. Bhatia, (Patiala Zone) 3.

International Single:

Rajbir Singh (Delhi Zone)1, B.N. Prashad (Delhi Zone) 2.

Men’s Race 100m upto 35: Ashok Kumar, (Delhi Zone) 1, Mohinder Soni (Bathinda Zone) 2, Joginder Singh (Haryana Zone) 3.

35 to 45 age group: Sher Singh (Patiala Zone) 1, Sham Lal (Chandigarh Zone) 2, Ramesh Kumar (Delhi Zone) 3.

Above 45 years: Ajit Singh, Jalandhar Zone) 1, Gurmukh Singh, (Patiala Zone) 2, P.K. Vashishta, (Chandigarh Zone) 3.

MC scheme extended to 3 new sectors
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 3
The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation extended its 'garbage bin free sector' scheme to three new sectors from today. The scheme had been implemented in Sectors-19, 21 and Ram Darbar, Phase-II.

Disclosing this, Mr Subash Chawla, Mayor, said here today the MOH wing of the MC had urged the residents of these areas to dump garbage at the designated places only. All other garbage containers had been removed from these sectors. He warned that those found dumping garbage at other places would be fined Rs 500.

Rs 4.5 cr for Kharar-Banur road
Our Correspondent

Kharar, March 3
The Punjab Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs 4.5 crore for strengthening and widening the Kharar-Banur road and the work on this project was expected to start shortly.

This was announced by Mr Bir Devinder Singh, MLA Kharar, while addressing a gathering in nearby Saneta village yesterday. He said the amount was sanctioned by the govt yesterday.

He announced that the veterinary dispensary in the village would upgraded to Veterinary Hospital and announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for this.

Mr Bir Devinder Singh also announced a grant of Rs 5 lakh for the Civil Dispensary of the village and another Rs 5 lakh for the lanes and drains in the village.