10,000 eye
cancer cases diagnosed each year in India
Eye
care experts and doctors said in New Delhi on Friday that an estimated 10,000
new cases of eye cancer are diagnosed every year in the country. They were
speaking at a two-day international conference on ‘Oculoplasty, Aesthetics,
Ocular Oncology and Squint’ organised by Delhi-based eye care chain Centre for
Sight (CFS). It is being attended by 50 experts and 150 doctors from all over
the country.
Dr.
Santosh G. Honavar, director medical services at CFS, said that about 10,000
people are diagnosed every year for eye-cancer. ‘India has a dubious
distinction of being host to about 30 percent of total eye cancer patients in
the world,’ he said.
He
said the eye tumour is a life-altering disease, which can potentially wipe out
vision and also endanger the life of patient. ‘Every year thousands are
diagnosed with some form of eye cancer. However, the country does not have
enough trained ophthalmologists and ophthalometrics and also lacks an organised
approach to cost-effective and protocol-based management.’
‘People
are more aware about lung or skin or any other cancer but eye cancer usually
gets neglected. There are a significant number of people that are diagnosed
with this cancer. Our aim is to educate and update the practicing
ophthalmologist about new advancements in the field’ said Mahipal Sachdev,
chairman and medical director, Centre for Sight.
The
problems relating to vital structures around the eyes like eyelids or orbits,
are often neglected or misdiagnosed, as treating the disease or deformities
require doctors with super specialized training, he said.
23.03.2013
Salt content
too high in packaged foods
Researchers
have revealed that around 75 percent of snacks targeted at children have a high
sodium content that could increase the possibility of long-term health risks,
says a study. Nearly 75 percent of commercial pre-packaged meals and savoury
snacks for toddlers are high in sodium, according to research presented at the
American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical
Activity and Metabolism 2013 Scientific Sessions.
In
the first study to look at the sodium content in baby and toddler foods in the
US, researchers compared the sodium content per serving of 1,115 products for
babies and toddlers using data on major and private label brands compiled by
the US Centres for Disease Control (CDC). Baby food was categorised as intended
for children less than one year old, and toddler food was categorised as
intended for children between the ages of one and three, reports Science Daily.
‘Our
concern is the possible long-term health risks of introducing high levels of
sodium in a child’s diet because high blood pressure, as well as a preference
for salty foods, may develop early in life. The less sodium in an infant’s or
toddler’s diet, the less he or she may want it when older,’ said Joyce Maalouf,
lead author and Fellow at the National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in
Atlanta, Georgia.
Consuming
excessive amounts of sodium has been linked to the development of high blood
pressure in scientific studies. ‘Parents and other caregivers can read the
nutrition facts labels on baby and toddler foods to choose the healthiest
options for their child,’ Maalouf said.
23.03.2013
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