Rural Glaucoma Clinic (1998 – 2016) Kaithal, Haryana

Semi-Rural Glaucoma Clinic (1999 -2007) Karnal, Haryana

Semi-Rural Glaucoma Clinic (1999 -2010)
Panipat, Haryana

Training of ophthalmologists in glaucoma

Trained 3 long term fellows in glaucoma (2 years) 7 short term fellows (6 months)

Diagnostic experience in Glaucoma

He has personally handled all modern diagnostic equipment for glaucoma – including automated perimetry, fundus photography, gonio photography, anterior segment photography, Heidelberg Retinal Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography and a wide variety of tonometers – Goldmann, non-contact tonometers, tonopen and the rebound tonometer.

Dr Sood has been one of the first users of the Heidelberg Retinal Tomography in India (since 1999), has routinely lectured in India and abroad on the intricacies of diagnosis and follow up with this instrument which has been an established diagnostic modality for glaucoma.

Experience in glaucoma studies / trials

With a database of 25,000 glaucoma patients, Dr Sood has been involved in the long term follow up of cases of glaucoma on medical, laser and surgical treatment and a number of studies in the country and abroad.

Surgical experience in glaucoma- trabeculectomies with and without antimetabolites

Surgery in glaucoma has passed through various stages. He has a personal experience of operating on over 10000 eyes (trabeculectomies with and without antimetabolites) in the last 25 years.

These include high risk cases with advanced glaucoma, previously failed glaucoma surgeries, cases of glaucoma with aphakia and pseudophakia, glaucoma following retinal detachment surgeries, keratoplasty and post inflammatory glaucoma.

This has involved not only applying the highest skills at the time of surgery but also managing problems arising out of surgery – shallow anterior chambers, failing blebs, leaking blebs and hypotony.

Paediatric glaucomas including new born and Infantile glaucoma

The glaucoma in this group is rare (an average ophthalmologist is likely to see a new case once in 5 years). Glaucoma in children is unique, as one does not see a large variety of cases. Surgery in children is different from that in adults and requires comprehensive care which includes working in tandem with neonatologists, paediatricians and anaesthetists.

Associated congenital and developmental anomalies (like Sturge Weber’s syndrome, Marfan’s syndrome, Weil Marchesanis syndrome, Peter’s anomaly, retinopathy of prematurity and aniridia) add to the problems. Also, surgical steps in children are different as compared to adults.

Having worked at a tertiary eye centre for glaucoma care, Dr Sood has operated on over 1100 cases of glaucoma in the neonatal and infantile age group. He has also been involved in presentations in conferences and publications in peer review literature, of diagnostic features and the steps of surgery in these cases. He has held instruction courses on these topics at national and international conferences.

Glaucoma and vitreoretinal problems

An increased incidence of neovascular glaucomas due to an increase in diabetic retinopathy, vascular problems with the eye and retinal procedures with vitrectomy necessitate an interaction with vitreoretinal surgeons. Intravitreal injections, diode lasers and cryosurgical procedure are being done in collaboration with vitreo retinal surgeons.

Glaucoma in corneal conditions and following ocular trauma

Interaction with corneal and ocular trauma surgeons is an integral part of management strategies for glaucoma, following keratoplasty and ocular trauma.

Dr Sood is referred patients for opinion in such cases. He has written chapters on glaucoma following keratoplasty and ocular trauma, in various books.

Combined cataract and glaucoma surgeries

Indications for combined cataract and glaucoma surgeries are undergoing a continuing change. Glaucoma with poor control and advanced cataract require combined surgeries. Techniques and skills for such surgeries are being constantly updated.

Lasers and glaucoma

Laser surgeries have revolutionised the treatment for angle closure glaucoma- an entity more common than open angle glaucoma in India. He has performed 10500 laser iridotomies in angle closure and is proficient with the various aspects of angle closure in pigmented Indian eyes. He has participated in panel discussions on intricacies of lasers in angle closure at national and international fora.

Glaucoma Fellow
L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad

September 1996 – August 1997

Chief Consultant and Progamme Director: Dr. G. Chandra Sekhar Consultants: Dr. A. K. Mandal and Dr. Santosh Honavar

 Fellow General Ophthalmology / Tutor
  Aravind Eye Hospital and Postgraduate     
  and Postgraduate Institute of
  Ophthalmology, Madurai

   September 1995 – August 1996

  Chief Consultant and Programme Directors: Dr. G. Natchiar and Dr. R. Ramakrishna   Consultant: Dr. R. Krishnadas