Eye Foundation Hospitals introduces laser machines to detect cataracts

With the rate of cataracts and refractive error patients in the country and beyond which has been on the increase, medical experts under the aegis of Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs), also known as Health Partners, recently organised a Clinical and Business Workshop for Ophthalmologists and Optometrists on how to maximise the use of the New Femto Laser Technology in Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

The workshop, which was held recently at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, recorded a huge turnout of medical practitioners, thus demonstrating the importance which they attached to the training. They were educated on the new high tech Femto laser technology. Videos were used to illustrate the new method for Laser Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

•Femto laser technology

Speaking to journalists after the one-day workshop, the chief executive officer of Eye Foundation Hospital Group, Dr Kunle Hassan, expatiated on the reasons for the introduction of the technology.

According to him, the laser machines were introduced to bring about positive changes to the eye Care industry. He added that the advanced Femto Laser Technology for Cataract Surgery and Correction of Refractive Errors were for those who do not want to wear glasses for short sightedness, long sightedness, Presbyopia, Keratoconus, Astigmatism or whatever refractive error one has. He was proud of his organisation for introducing it into Nigeria. And, as he said, it was the first of its kind in Sub Sahara Africa.

Explaining further, Hassan said, “The whole procedure is done with laser and the procedure is safe and with predictable results”. Femto laser surgery, according to him, is usually done with topical anaesthesia eye drops to numb the eye. No injection is required. The procedure takes just five to 10 minutes, no eye pad, no hospitalisation and the effect is immediate.

He also disclosed that his organisation was introducing full Femto Laser Cataracts Surgery into Nigeria which is also the first in sub Saharan Africa. On this, the medical practitioner said that through this technology, manual manipulation and human error are completely eliminated while removing cataracts and it provides the best visual outcome.

Hassan emphasized that these were the highest level of new laser technology available and advised ophthalmologists and optometrists as well as the general public to be aware of and take advantage of it to give their patients or themselves the best available treatment.

In his own contribution, Dr. Dele Salami, CEO of Health Partners ‘Health Maintenance Organisation’ (HMO), a health insurance outfit, stressed the need for medical practitioners to work in tandem to administer quality service to the public. To him, ophthalmologists and optometrists can do better if they collaborate with one another.