`Babloo…’ eye care publication

Addressing the eye-care issue to a young child in a simple, amusing but factual style, which children find both fun and reassuring, is the core idea behind the small, illustrated booklet `Babloo goes for an eye-test’ – authored by Dr. Narendra Kumar and published by Optometry Today for the charitable trust Eye Care India.

Besides being a maiden effort in writing for children on eye-care, the purpose is to create the much-needed eye-care awareness. And the highlighted areas include School, Cricket, T.V., Animal welfare, Veterinary doctor, Pharmaceutical drops, Eye doctor (Optometrist-Ophthalmologist), Battery torch, Retinoscope, Ophthalmoscope, Distant vision test types, Spectacle frame, and Plastic ophthalmic lenses.

To promote the concept of basic eye-care, the booklet is intended to be subscribed by nursery and primary school libraries as well by eye care professionals for their reception areas. It has been acclaimed both in India and in overseas countries, and was recently featured in the widely-read Italian optical magazine Vedere International, May 2009 issue. And will soon be available for “free” download on the website http://optometrytoday.org

Dr. Narendra Kumar

On hardships

Leaving aside the issue of the non-introduction of Government legislation to regulate the practice of optometry even after its introduction in the country way back in the year 1958, let me this time focus on the miseries of the average citizen.

Land-line phone going dead or disturbance creeping in, daily newspaper full of crime stories, market flooding with counterfeit currency notes, blatant encroachment on public land, menace of unauthorized weekly markets, rising inflation, and above all frequent electric load-shedding…all play the nerve-racking game like the childish bickering of our legislators in the parliament, forgetting, and not caring, about the basic issues to provide some relief to the common man in terms of food, clothing and dwelling. Yes, God is surely there; otherwise how could life go on in the face of such hardships?

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Home decor

Besides the best possible clinical set-up, the eye care professional tries to maintain certain decor at home as well. And, the soft, serene surroundings in the most-commonly-occupied area of the house, the lobby - like a work of nature’s photograph - are eye- and soul-soothing for the entire family.

The picture depicts the 65”x44” framed photo of Hyde Park London supplied by Podar Group of Concerns, Mumbai (ajaypodar@hotmail.com).

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Medical tourism to India

Economic slowdown has affected innumerable persons the world-over. Those affected in the West appear to have started trimming household expenditures to save up for a needed surgery as also to wait longer to undergo the scalpel.

The encouraging factor is that the surgical expertise in India matches the best available elsewhere, and procedures like cataract removal by phacoemulsification and oculo-plastic surgery for Ptosis correction at a private centre in Delhi, along with the air fare, cost much less than what one would otherwise have paid at home. “The costs in India are about half of that in the West, and the surgical expertise comparable to the best elsewhere”, says ophthalmic surgeon Dr. Maneesh Kumar (ophthacare@gmail.com).

The picture shows the condition of pre- and post-operative bilateral Ptosis.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

CLEP

Although optometry was introduced in India way back in the year 1958, and there are now around 100 institutions imparting training ranging in duration between 2 and 4 years leading to diploma and degree qualifications respectively, the subject of contact lenses is not covered in the 2-year diploma in optometry course, and diploma-optometrists, thus, find themselves at a disadvantage when they enter into practice or serve at an establishment.

The charitable trust Eye Care India (kumars@vsnl.com) conducts 3-day (15-hour) Contact Lens Education Program – CLEP – for diploma optometrists covering the theoretical and practical aspects of the basics of contact lens fitting. And the photograph shows the participants of one such event held at School of Optometry, Jan Kalyan Eye Hospital, Lucknow.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Explore the market in India

Even in the face of economic downturn, the ceiling for luxury foods in India continues to rise, e.g., while a liquor brand readies to launch a Rs.20 lakh (US $ 40,000) per bottle whisky in Delhi, local vegetable sellers continue to find buyers for guchchi (a rare mushroom) that comes for Rs.19,000/- (US $ 380) a kg. And the same is true for opticals and other eye- and hearing-care products.

At the time of my 2005 visit to International Optical Fair Tokyo, one exhibitor remarked, “we make expenstive frames, and India is hardly the market for these”, to which I replied, “India houses the poorest of the poor as also richest of the rich people”.

Optometry Today quarterly journal is currently accepting advertisements for its June 2008 issue under “1+1” offer, whereby the ad will be repeated free in September 2009 issue. Advertising on special positions like `Centre-spead’ and `Cover’ pages is booked on first-come-first-served basis, and details of advertising can be requested from

And although deadline to receive material is 31st May 2009, the earlier the space is booked the better.

Optometry Today, the official organ of Eye Care India, has been in publication since 1970.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

The festival of colours

Over the years, the holy festival of `holi’ has turned unholy because of the use of harmful colours necessitating advice from ophthalmologist Dr. Umesh Bareja of Sitaram Bhartiya Institute of Science & Research for the use of disposable contact lenses to protect eyes from chemicals-infested colours.

Gone are the days when the festival of colours used to be looked upon as the time of saying `hello’ even to foes. And the urge of using milk instead of colours by maker of Paras Milk is pleasantly striking!

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Colors of Mansi

While studying for MBA at Amity University, Noida, Mansi Gupta did her summer training at Bausch & Lomb Eyecare (India) Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon. And having had this exposure to contact lenses, she completed an overseas contact lens company-sponsored research study on “Low market share of gas-permeable contact lenses in India”, that was highly applauded. Currently working as HR Officer at ICI Paints Ltd., Gurgaon, she has recently been presented with a specially-designed “It’s for you in 2009” table calendar by a recruitment associate, that truly speaks of the `Colors of Mansi’.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Pat Price is no more

It was in 2005 that Ms. Pat Price was in contact with me regarding my presentation on one of the Accessible World symposiums that somehow couldn't take place. Pat was a friend of Hank (Professor Henry W Hofstetter) who was a friend of mine ever since he visited India, accompanied by his wife Jane, in 1970.

I'm grieved to hear about the passing away of Pat Price (on February 1, 2009) who worked selflessly to serve the interests of blind and visually-handicapped persons, and pray to God to give courage to her husband Marv Price to bear the irreparable loss and for the departed soul to rest in peace.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Eye Check-up Camp

At the Eye Check-up Camp organized on World Sight Day, 8th October 2007, by Sri Sathya Sai Sewa Organization (of New Delhi) at MCD Primary School in Vikaspuri, Dr. Narendra Kumar, Trustee, Eye Care India, flanked by volunteers, examined 138 students, and those with ‘departures from normal’ were advised as under:

Rx for antibiotic eye drops - 12
Rx for vitamin B-complex - 13
Rx for multi-vitamin tabs. - 1
Advice for checking up of patency of lacrimal passage - 1
Advice for refraction check-up - 20
Advice for orthoptic check-up - 1
Advice for fundus examination - 2

There was one case each of the following conditions:

Sub-conjunctival haemorrhage
Blephritis
Suspected blockage of lacrimal duct

It was observed that attending to such students belonging to poor families will become more meaningful when rather than mere advice, there’s provision for free

1. Distribution of antibiotic eye drops & multivitamin preparations and
2. Professional refraction check-ups followed by dispensing of spectacles.

But since this exercise needs adequate funds, it was felt that there’s urgent need of contributions from corporate houses / funding organizations.

The picture shows (above) Dr. Kumar doing retinoscopy, and (below) students waiting for their turn at the Camp.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

History of Optometry in India

The Optometry Today’s website http://education.vsnl.com/optometry/ carries the brief history of optometry in India. And the illustration depicts the Near Vision Test Type narrating the `history’. The above reading test type was published by Optometry Today in 1993, and a copy of this chart is available free-of-charge to the subscribers of the quarterly journal till stock lasts.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

East meets west

On my visit to the US (in August 2007, accompanied by my wife Sheela), I took a stop-over at London. While taking a stroll in St. Georges Centre, Harrow, Middlesex, I casually stepped inside Boots Opticians practice to say hallo, and was pleasantly greeted by dispensing optician Mohammed Raza Alidina: “Are you Dr. Narendra Kumar? I have read your letters in Optician several times.”

In USA, on my visit to Southern College of Optometry at Memphis, I was greeted by Dr. Willis Maples: “I can now put a face to a name.” (I was in correspondence with Dr. Maples, but we had never met before!). The picture shows me with Dr. Pinakin Gunvant (left) and Dr. Maples (centre).

Dr. Narendra Kumar

A well-known name in Audiology

After completing MSc (Speech & Hearing) from All India Institute of Speech & Hearing, Mysore, Satyendra Kumar served first at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi and then at Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for Hard of Hearing, edited Hearing Aid Journal, and obtained MPhil from UK on a fellowship.

Then migrating to the US, suffering the unfortunate passing away of his wife Bhavana Gupta (also an Audiologist), admirably bringing up daughter Shobhana and son Sameer, and completing AuD (Doctorate in Audiology) from A. T. Still University, is a long story

Dr. Satyendra Kumar works with ENT Surgeon Dr. Bindra, is a well-known name in Audiology in India, and is the editor of audiology section of Optometry Today quarterly journal.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

The veteran British journalist Shelagh Hardy extensively quotes the editor of Optometry Today in his article `India - Superpower of the future’, and presents an optimistic view about ophthalmic optics in India, in February 2009 issue of Optical World, supposedly having the largest circulation worldwide.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Photograph print for charity funding

The photograph taken at the Birds Park in Singapore by me has been set aside to raise funds for the charitable trust Eye Care India. Colour prints are available in A4 size @ Rs.3,000/- (US $ 75) from Optometry Today, C4F/216 Janakpuri, New Delhi 110058, Phone +91-11-25599839

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Dr. Grover receives `Padma Shri’ award

An ophthalmologist of repute, the gem of a person, a distinguished orator-cum-teacher, and the chairman of the department of ophthalmology, with whom I had the privilege to work as Refractionist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, Dr. A. K. Grover has been bestowed with the `Padma Shri’ award this year. My heartiest congratulations!

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Non-regulated practice of optometry

As depicted in this cartoon from Optometry Today, January-March 1974 issue, optometrists have been struggling for getting the profession recognized in a country where anyone can open an optical shop without training or registration. Are the authorities listening and will they care to see to the redressal of the plight of our people receiving inadequate vision care services from non-qualified providers?

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Optometrists’ CVs

Optical outlets, ophthalmologists, companies and organizations keep on contacting Optometry Today from time to time for suitable candidates. Interested optometrists may, therefore, send their resumes to to be passed on to outlets looking for such information.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Manufacturer’s deficient service

It was in 1970’s when I was working as Refractionist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi that my orthoptist colleague mentioned about the ordeal faced by her in neither getting the Synoptophore ordered by her nor getting the amount back that she had long ago paid as advance to a manufacturer of ophthalmic instruments. On my writing to the supplier, as editor of Optometry Today, about his comments on the complaint within a specified period of time, the advance-amount was paid back instantly, but the regular advertising in OT was also cancelled. Not only this, one fine morning, there was a sarcastic call to the effect: “Congratulations, your name is being considered for `Padmashree’ award”. I admit, I don’t have a Godfather who could work towards my getting the prestigious national award, but I do know that my self-less service to eye care profession, trade and industry in India has surely earned me friends not only from within the country but also from around the world, and Optometry Today, too, has earned a respectable name.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Strange are the ways of life

“Start no new project on a Tuesday”, used to say my ophthalmologist-boss in 1970’s. “Don’t get your hair-cut done on a Thursday”, says my wife. “Don’t embark on a journey”, says my mother-in-law. “Don’t dare wear a neelam”, cautioned a friend in 1960’s. “He won’t study for more than the 3rd standard”, an astrologer told my pitaji when I was a child. “You won’t visit an overseas country”, forecasted someone long long ago. Diwali and New Year greeting cards are received every year from a relative only after formal celebrations are over. Truly strange are the ways of life! (Picture shows me with wife Sheela at an optical show-room in Tokyo in 2005).

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Wrong presentation

A person called in recently saying that he was an optometrist, and wanted his son (who was having squint) to be examined by the ophthalmologist at our eye clinic. The receptionist gave him 50% discount in fee. Later it turned out that he was not an optometrist, but had merely possessed FDOA. It appears that persons having undergone such short-term courses in opticianry invariably present themselves as optometrists, and the practice is derogatory to the professional growth of qualified optometry.

Dr. Narendra Kumar