Eye clinic installs latest laser technology
By Edmund Smith-Asante
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| An eye surgeon, Dr Henry Amisah explaining how the laser equipment works |
Although
it was introduced only late last year, about 10 people have already benefitted
from the eye treatment with the latest laser technology.
The
consultant ophthalmologist in charge of the clinic, Dr Yakubu Seidu Adam, told
the Daily Graphic during a visit that the WaveLight refractive suite technology
represented the peak of accuracy, safety and patient’s comfort.
He said
although the equipment and procedure had been in existence since the 1990s, it
was the first time such equipment was being used in the country to conduct eye
surgery.
He said
with the refractive suite laser technology, it took less than 30 minutes using
a simple painless and trauma-less procedure to make one’s dream of putting away
glasses or contact lenses come true.
Side
effects
Dr Adam said
before the installation of the laser equipment, the clinic was using blade
(microkeratome) to create a flap in the cornea of the eye before treatment,
which resulted in some complications.
But
showing the Daily Graphic the newly installed laser equipment, he said, “This
system was intended to go the extra mile to prevent the complications because
those are the main concerns of people as they come to us.”
He said
the excimer (an ultraviolet laser) took about 10 to 15 seconds to work on the
eye, adding, “So we are able to treat the two eyes in less than 30 minutes.
Surgeries are done for glaucoma and to remove cataract, as well as correct
other eye defects.”
Dr Adam
said reviews to ensure the process was successful were done in timelines of one
day, one week, one month, three months and six months, after which a review is
no longer needful.
Assessment,
cost
A patient
is, however, assessed during a process known as topography, before surgery is scheduled
and done. If a patient is found not to fulfil the requirements of a surgery, he
or she may be disqualified from going through the laser process.
Dr Adam
said the cost per lasik surgery averaged $1,500 or the equivalent of GH¢6,000,
depending on the exchange rate.
“Ultimately,
we want to do cataract surgery that is predictable, and that is why we have
gone the extra mile to get this laser system that helps us do laser-assisted
cataract surgery with absolute precision.”
He,
however, added that doing a lasik surgery in Ghana was cheaper than having it
done abroad, where sometimes the treatment of one eye cost $2,000, apart from
one’s travel cost.
Writer’s
email: edmund.asante@graphic.com.gh
This story was first published by the Daily Graphic
on May 3, 2016
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