|
|
EDITORIAL |
|
|
|
| Year : 1995 | Volume
: 43
| Issue : 2 | Page : 53 |
| |
Science and sight
Gullapalli N Rao
India,
Correspondence Address:
How to cite this article:
Rao GN. Science and sight. Indian J Ophthalmol 1995;43:53 |
Medical practice and delivery of health care require an understanding of disease pattern in the community, economics, and management. Yet, the curriculum of our medical education offers almost no exposure to any of these subjects. The relevance of these disciplines for medical and health care is increasing as we work in an environment of greater cost containment and budgetary controls. Modern medical practice necessarily involves utilization of high-cost equipment, a product of advances in biomedical engineering. Health care professionals should, therefore, become adept at striking the balance among diverse factors - limited funds, escalating cost of equipment and supplies, and the social obligation of providing care at an affordable cost.
The article in the "Ophthalmology Practice" section of this issue of the Journal provides an introduction to epidemiology which should help our readers understand the terminologies, often employed in scientific publications, thereby helping to evaluate the data. This article also gives us a perspective about the need for good epidemiologic studies and their value in the prevention and treatment of disease.
Also in this issue of the Journal is an example to demonstrate that clinical practice and basic research need not be separated into two watertight compartments and that clinicians can become very able basic researchers. Basu's article, "An Ophthalmologist's Journey Along Uncharted Paths" highlights this fact and should provide inspiration to our younger colleagues. From a small-town ophthalmologist, Basu has evolved into an internationally respected researcher. His pioneering work in corneal preservation and grafting is the most outstanding of his manifold contribution to corneal research. His review article in the "Current Ophthalmology" section is a timely contribution to the Journal as we have just embarked upon large-scale production and utilization of McCarey-Kaufman (M-K) corneal storage medium. In fact, M-K medium is readily available to all trained eye bankers and corneal surgeons in the country, Though the methods of modern eye banking offer obvious advantages, the potential for problems should be borne in mind as the techniques involved are highly quality-sensitive and fastidious in their requirements. However, disasters can be avoided by providing proper infrastructure to well-trained manpower.
Although science continues to strive for the preservation and restoration of sight, the programmes concerned with achieving this lofty goal have to be implemented with the same rigour that science requires for its progress.
|
