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3 Medical Breakthroughs in India

Published: Jan 7, 2013 06:13:27 AM IST
Updated: Jan 1, 2013 03:18:26 PM IST
3 Medical Breakthroughs in India
Image: Sandra Baker / Getty Images

1. A New Technique In Neurosurgery
One of India’s most innovative neurosurgeons, Dr Atul Goel of KEM Hospital in Mumbai, developed a technique that is becoming the global standard for treatment of basilar invagination (when the second cervical vertebrae migrates upward, potentially compressing the brain stem). He calls his technique the atlantoaxial facetal distraction and craniovertebral realignment, which is replacing the standard technique of surgery through the mouth.

2. Quick Bug Identification System

Doctors in Delhi can take pride in combatting the vicious strain of antimicrobial resistance that was named the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1. This year, Dr Raman Sardana of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital brought India its first MALDITOF-Vitek automated microbial identification system. The underlying science is mass spectroscopy that analyses the molecular signature of a specimen to identify the bug in minutes.

3 Medical Breakthroughs in India
Image: Corbis

3. Changing Eye Colour Permanently
If you are curious what an eyecare hospital like Vasan Healthcare has to do with silicon implants, you may not have heard of the biggest (baddest?) medical breakthrough of 2012. This year, Dr Shibu Varkey performed India’s first permanent (yes, meaning forever) eye colour change in Trichy. He does it using silicon implants so small that they’d make even Smurfette snicker. The implants come in grey, green or blue in various shades. Dr Varkey delicately inserts an implant in the front of the eye to naturally unfold and cover the iris with the new chosen colour.

(This story appears in the 11 January, 2013 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)

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  • Rajesh

    Congrats Dr Shibu Varkey

    on Nov 29, 2014
  • Saurav Mishra

    Really a great achievement by Dr. Atul in the field of Neurosurgery In India. Well done.

    on Jun 17, 2013
  • Jess

    Dr. Shibu is such a kind warm hearted person. I felt like he was a father to me and not just a doctor. I changed my eye color to the olive green like the lady in this video. http://rollingout.com/videos/plastic-surgery-changes-dark-brown-eyes-into-rihannas-green-eyes/

    on Jan 18, 2013
  • Philip Varghese

    All the blessing ..May God Bless

    on Jan 16, 2013
  • Glen

    Finally, no more color contacts !

    on Jan 15, 2013
  • Shagufta

    Re #3, What can you expect from a commercial eye care chain? A cosmetic, money-making process in the name of a breakthrough?

    on Jan 7, 2013
    • Dr Shibu Varkey

      Dear Shagufta The prosthetic eye color change surgery has helped people suffering from albinism ,coloboma, iris injuries , aniridia to get a fresh leash of life cosmetically and functionally Such patients had no hope before so definitely it is a breakthrough in the sense of the improved quality of daily life

      on Jan 8, 2013
      • Lita Kanchanaphimon

        Hello dear Dr.Shibu Varky Im Lita from Thailand, I am live in Melbourne Australia. I would like to know information about eyes colour change in India. it close in Asia that I can go. How much price cost for eyes colour change ? where I can stay Hotel near Hospitel, I am read have to go everyday for 7 days activity. Please let me know regard Lita

        on Nov 8, 2013