Under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (C.S.I.R.) - led New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative, the scientists have developed a microchip based on diagnostic methods for early intervention for infectious eye diseases and glaucoma. This was announced at the 93rd Indian Science Congress.

Mr. D.Yogeswara Rao, head of the technology networking and business development division, C.S.I.R. said that a large number of clinical results have shown good results. The results show that the microchip can within two hours detect any eye infection. Thus preventing its spread and also stopping permanent damage to the vision. This breakthrough will go a long way in providing timely treatment and reducing the cases of blindness in India especially in villages.

Rao added that the trials and validation of the technology were currently under way. He was confident that the microchip to detect eye infections will be available to the Doctors by June 2006.

In the case of glaucoma, trials on about 2,000 cases have been carried out. Further trials were on and the chip should be available for sale by the year end.