With the Blessings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba a new state-of-the-art Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) machine worth Rs. 60 lakh was inaugurated at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram, Puttaparthi.

The OCT machine was inaugurated by the Managing Trustee of SSSCT, Sri R J Rathnakar in the presence of the Director of SSSIHMS, Prasanthigam, Dr. Gurumurthy, the Head of Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. Anuj Sharma and  other senior staff members of the hospital. 

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging method that uses reflected light to create pictures of the back of your eye. It can be used to diagnose and manage diseases like diabetes-related retinopathy,  glaucoma etc. 

Manufactured by Carl Zeiss the OCT machine has many advanced features like Enhanced Depth Imaging (EDI) through which the machine can analyse beyond the layers of the retina. Also the system comes with a Fast Track feature, which helps in reducing the eye motion artifacts and thereby improving the accuracy of the diagnosis.

Inaugurating the machine the Managing Trustee of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Sri. R J Rathnakar said that it has always been the constant endeavor of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust to enhance and upgrade the equipment and services of Swami’s Institutions and this new machine worth Rs. 60 lakh is in line with that endeavour. “Here we have this state-of-the-art machine, which will help all the patients visiting this department, especially the patient care for the poor who cannot afford such advanced care anywhere  else,” Sri Rathnakar said.

 Speaking on the occasion Dr. Gurumurthy the Director of the SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram, said that while the department of Ophthalmology already had a OCT machine, but this machine was a great improvement on the existing one. “Almost all the patients who visit the department of Ophthalmology at our hospital are required to undergo this test and with its advanced features the diagnosis would become much better,” he said. “Also important to mention here is the fact that such a test done anywhere outside is pretty expensive, which will be beyond the reach of the poor,” he said.

Explaining the effectiveness of the OCT machine Dr. Anuj Sharma, Head of Department of Ophthalmology, said that Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive diagnostic technique that renders an in vivo cross sectional view of the retina. OCT utilizes a concept known as interferometry to create a cross-sectional map of the retina that is accurate to within at least 10-15 microns. He also mentioned that the new machine  had many unmatched features, which set this machine apart from other OCT machines. 

According to Dr. Girija Gurung, Additional Senior Consultant of Department of Ophthalmology, the new machine, has the following features: 

1) A single analysis for integrated insights into early pathologies

2) Wide field analysis displays structural data for the entire posterior pole — RNFL, ONH, and GCA metrics show the extent of structural damage

3) Chamber View provides an expansive 15.5 mm wide view of the entire anterior chamber with objective tools for measuring anterior segment ocular structures 

4) Pachymetry Map — 9 mm pachymetry map highlights corneal irregularities and identifies thinnest point for refractive surgery screening

5) Provide exquisite detail of the iridocorneal angle 

6) Glaucome evlauation- RNFL, ONH, and GCA metrics show the extent of structural damage

7) Optical coherence tomography angiography- visualize vascular networks in the human retina, choroid 

It's useful for diagnosis , progress and follow up of the patient with pathology

The Gold medal and the certificate presented at the conference.

With the Blessings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Dr. Prakash Khanchandani, the Head of Department of Orthopaedics, SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram, has received a gold medal for his presentation on " Integrated Systems Analysis of Avascular Necrosis of Femoral Head in Adults:  Clinical relevance, critical pathways, potential mechanisms, bio markers and Therapeutic Targets".

The Gold medal was presented for the prestigious Dr. Balu Sankaran Oration on Basic Science and Orthopaedic Research by the Indian Orthopaedic Association, during the Annual Conference held from December 1-3, 2022 at Amritsar, Punjab. 

The presentation is a result of around 10 years of Collaborative research between the SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram and the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam. The research involved an Integrated Systems Biology approach to unravel the mysteries of Avascular Necrosis of Femoral Head in adults and has been published twice in internationally acclaimed journal of Scientific Reports, Nature and will be soon implemented in the treatment protocols.

The impact of this research can change the treatment protocol of this debilitating disease, thereby increasing the positive outcome of Regenerative treatment in young patients, who are usually bread winners of the society, thereby having a great social impact. The ground breaking research and the results were widely appreciated by the National and International faculty members at the conference.