Retina is the only part of the human body where the blood vessels are directly visible. Flourescien Angiography is a technique where a dye is injected into the vein and the inside of the eye is photographed with a special camera. Angiograms elucidate the finer details of the blood vessels and the dynamics of circulations to clinch diagnoses of retinal disorders. The conventional angiography system involves photographic films. Developing and printing takes time before the report can be given to the patient. This invariably delays the diagnosis and treatment.

Recently some proprietary digital imaging systems have been introduced which use video camera to capture the images. These are priced exorbitantly. Despite the high price, the resolution offered by the equipment is not very good. It is not possible for every organisation to opt for the equipment. They have to depend upon the traditional, time-consuming means of diagnosis. Besides, a lot of foreign exchange goes out of country for purchase of the costly equipment.

Dr.S.P.S.Grewal, CEO, GREWAL EYE INSTITUTE (GEI), who has the distinction of winning the prestigious national 'Col. RANGACHARI AWARD' for excellence in photography in the year 1988, and who is a seasoned computer programmer himself, has managed to improve the quality of the photographs with his own research. Dr. Grewal came up with the idea of installing a very high resolution digital camera instead of video camera with the basic angiography equipment for accurate and speedy results. The manufacturing company "Carl Zeiss" initially opined that it was not possible to attach a different camera, which was not compatible with the software of the original equipment. Here, Dr. Grewal's computer programming skills helped him to bail out of the situation. His sincere efforts and long deliberations with the engineers of the company finally made the innovation possible. Special software developed by Dr. S.P.S.Grewal captures, stores and print images. The system offers 5.4 million pixels at the industry highest resolutions of 3800 x 2008 pixels. The proprietary camera, on the other hand, has two variants having resolutions of 640 x 480 and 1024 x 860 pixels.

Because of the software developed by Dr. Grewal at GREWAL EYE INSTITUTE (www.lasikgei.com), the clarity of the image is, now, much higher. Nowhere fundus photographs have so far been taken at such high resolution as have been possible with the photographs at GEI. This has enhanced diagnostic capability of the system and enabled the doctors to detect even finer changes in the blood vessels. Now correct diagnosis can be achieved in higher percentage of cases in a short period of time and the treatment is initiated without delay. One more important aspect of this software is that the photographs can be stored, and retrieved at each visit of the patient for sequential follow ups.

The system also facilitates the networking within the organisation, where the faculty members can think together in difficult cases and reach at a final conclusion. The new technique is of immense value to patients with diabetes, hypertension, inflammation in retina, retinal degeneration (AMD) and uveitis.

There are around 20 digital image systems installed all over the country, but with this 'Digital Camera Innovation', the one installed at GEI is the ONLY equipment in India to give the high quality resolution of imaging. The innovation ensures speedy and accurate treatment.

THIS IS NOT ALL.

The 'Digital Camera Innovation' has made it possible for smaller eye hospitals to opt for it as there has been significant reduction in the cost of the improved equipment as compared to the exhorbitant cost of the original equipment. Besides, a lot of precious foreign exchange will be saved on the import of the improved equipment on account of its lower price.

About GEI :: Grewal Eye Institute is a premier Comprehensive Eye-Care Institute based at Chandigarh and is equipped with finest equipments to deliver goods. State-of-the-Art Technology is used to treat the patients through specialty trained

doctors and surgeons. Grewal Eye Institute was started by Dr.S.P.S. Grewal way back in 1993. A team of leading and eminent specialty surgeons provides eye care services in the fields squint Clinic, Uveitis Clinic, Anaesthesiologist, Cornea Clinic & Eye Bank.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 'DIGITAL CAMERA INNOVATION' -------------------------------------------- Ø An innovative R & D achievement resulting in an Engineering Marvel. Ø Heavy reduction in the cost of the improved equipment. Ø Significant increase in the resolution of the images ensuring speedy and accurate results. Ø Reports can be stored, retrieved and the equipment has the facility of networking within the organisation.

Dr. S.P.S. Grewal -- A Pioneer and A Visionary - A glimpse of

Dr. S.P.S. Grewal (drgrewal@gmail.com) is a name that has become synonymous with revolution in the field of Ophthalmology. He is one of India's most respected Ophthalmologists and is also the dynamic C.E.O. of Grewal Eye Institute in Chandigarh, the first super-specialty ophthalmic Institute in private sector in the region.

Born in Patiala, Dr. Grewal topped the university in the pre-medical exams and joined the Govt. Medical College in Patiala. Besides bagging all the medals in various professions of M.B.B.S. he also had a scholarship during the complete tenure of his medical studies. While completing his MD in Ophthalmology in 1979, Dr.Grewal also worked as a Senior Research Fellow with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research from January 1978 to December 1979. From being a Senior Lecturer in Ophthalmology at the Govt. Medical Hospital, Patiala he became an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology, PGIMER, Chandigarh and stayed there till 1993.

Being a visionary in his field and believing in providing the best services to the patients of Ophthalmology, Dr.Grewal left PGIMER in 1993 and ventured to set-up his own state-of-the-art eye hospital in the region called "Grewal Eye Institute". His quest for quality made this institute one of the few eye hospitals in the country to be accredited with ISO 9001:200 certificates.

To his credit is also the innovative "Digital Fundus Flourescein Angiography" system whereby better quality of angiography is possible at lower cost. This innovation has been applauded by some of the pioneers in this field from across the world.

Dr.Grewal is the recipient of various awards, honours and fellowships. He received the Col. Rangachari Gold Medal for Best Research paper at the 10th Annual conference of All India Ophthalmology, Bombay 1989. He is also a recipient of the WHO fellowship at Morfields Eye Hospital for advanced training in application of Ophthalmic Lasers.

Dr.Grewal is also a life member of All India Ophthalmological Society, North Zone Ophthalmological Society, Vitreo Retinal Society of India, Chandigarh Ophthalmological Society and Laser Society of India besides several other societies. He is also the President of the Chandigarh Eye bank. He is also an active Rotarian and has been a part of the intercontinental Rotary Medicine Team, and has performed thousands of IOL implants in the tribal, backward and deprived areas of Nigeria, Ethiopia and Uganda in Africa.

During his 25 years in the field of Ophthalmology, Dr.Grewal has attended several National and International Conferences. He participated in the 53rd Conference of the All India Ophthalmological Society in Bombay in 1995; Haryana State C.M.E. in Ophthalmology 1998; IMA SuperCon 1998; Rotary International camps at UGANDA and ETHIOPIA in 1998 - 99; Ophthalmic Conference "3rd ALLEGRETTO WAVE user Meeting" at Crete, Greece, 2002 etc.

A man of many facets, Dr. Grewal also takes out time for various other activities. He is an avid photographer and specializes in close-up photography. He has the distinction of winning the prestigious National 'COL. RANGACHARI AWARD' for excellence in photography in the year 1988. Alongwith this he is also an excellent computer programmer and is a member of the Chandigarh Computer Professional's Association. These two distinctive hobbies have helped in pioneering many techniques in the field of Ophthalmology. Along with this, he has more than forty editorials to his credit in various National and International Journals.

A pioneer and a visionary, Dr. Grewal's dream is to innovate and bring in as many techniques in the field of Ophthalmology, so as to provide the general patients with the best in the national and international standards. Working on these lines, he has built the Grewal Eye Institute in the city that has become very popular among patients coming in from Chandigarh and several other states across the country. ****

Hospital Contact :: ---------------- Dr. S. P. S. Grewal (Former Associate Professor, Deptt. of Ophthalmology, PGIMER, Chandigarh) GREWAL EYE INSTITUTE The Premiere Institute for COMPLETE Eye Care (ISO 9001:2000 Certified) SCO 168-169, Sector 9-C, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh - 160 009 (India) Ph : +91-172-2747118, 5193969 Fax : +91-172-2744843 Mail : drgrewal@gmail.com Website : www.lasikgei.com

Editorial Contact :: ----------------- PK Khurana QuikRelations # 3491, Sector 38-D, Chandigarh - 160 014 (India) Telefax : +91-172-2698351, 2698664 Hutch : +91-98882-55555 Mail : pr@quikgroupindia.com
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