LVPEI Bhubaneswar launches Odisha’s first IRD Clinic with in-house genetic testing for rare eye disorders

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 17, 2025

The L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Mithu Tulsi Chanrai (MTC) campus, Bhubaneswar has launched a state-of-the-art Inherited Retinal Dystrophies (IRD) Clinic, a first-of-its-kind facility in Odisha offering specialized care for patients with genetic retinal diseases. With the introduction of in-house genetic testing, the clinic aims to make advanced diagnostics more accessible to patients across Odisha and neighbouring regions, significantly improving early diagnosis and disease management.

Inherited Retinal Dystrophies are a group of genetic disorders that affect the retina, often causing progressive vision loss and even blindness, especially in children and young adults. Conditions like Retinitis Pigmentosa, Leber Congenital Amaurosis, Stargardt disease, and Cone-Rod Dystrophies fall under this category. Due to lack of awareness and specialized diagnostic infrastructure, many such conditions remain misdiagnosed or are identified too late, resulting in irreversible vision damage.

Vision loss from IRDs typically begins in early childhood and progresses through adolescence and adulthood, disrupting education, employment, and overall quality of life. Symptoms may start with night blindness, followed by narrowing of the visual field, and eventually lead to total blindness. Unlike other eye diseases, IRDs are hereditary, often affecting multiple family members across generations.

“Many families live with undiagnosed inherited blindness, unaware of the underlying genetic cause. Genetic testing not only confirms the diagnosis but also opens the door for targeted treatment, participation in clinical trials, and informed family planning. Our goal is to offer comprehensive, compassionate, and science-based care right here in Odisha,” said Dr. Srikanta Kumar Padhy, retina specialist at LVPEI Bhubaneswar.

The newly launched clinic follows a multidisciplinary approach that includes detailed retinal evaluations, electrophysiological testing such as ERG and VEP, advanced genetic diagnostics through targeted gene panels or whole exome sequencing, and genetic counselling. Additionally, the clinic offers rehabilitation services, including low vision aids, mobility training, and educational support for visually impaired children and young adults.

With robust national collaborations and in-house testing capabilities, patients no longer need to travel to metropolitan cities for accurate diagnosis and treatment. The clinic has already confirmed genetic mutations in several families, some of whom are now eligible for gene therapy or clinical trials.

This clinic will serve as a crucial referral point for ophthalmologists, paediatricians, neurologists, and general physicians dealing with unexplained vision loss. Timely referral to the IRD Clinic can ensure early intervention, better management, and long-term support for affected families.

By launching this pioneering facility, LVPEI Bhubaneswar is not only transforming eye care in Odisha but also positioning the state as a hub for research and treatment of genetic eye disorders in eastern India. The clinic remains committed to delivering world-class care with a special focus on rare and hereditary eye diseases.

For appointments or referrals, patients and physicians can contact the IRD Clinic at LVPEI Bhubaneswar via phone at 0674-2653001 or email at [email protected].