Cutting-edge technology in eyecare

Biggest advantage of minimally invasive laser treatment is that it is immune to injury

Minimally invasive laser techniques are increasingly being used by eye specialists to tackle a host of ophthalmological problems, ranging from correcting vision defects to even glaucoma surgery.
"Just a few weeks ago we got the ReLEx SMILE laser technique developed by Zeiss for gentle correction of vision defects," says Mehta. It is a minimally invasive treatment that combines the extensive experience and superior safety of traditional vision correct techniques with many innovative benefits.
Mehta says it is safer and more accurate. Traditionally using Lasik, surgeons had to cut a flap inside the eye with a laser. "This is flapless surgery," he explains. "The laser automatically makes a 2mm opening, making life easier for the patient."
The biggest advantage in the new process is it is immune to injury. In Lasik, if one were to injure the eye, even after a year of the procedure, the flap can get displaced and the eye damaged. "But in the new SMILE procedure, even if you were to take a direct hit on the eye within five days of the surgery, nothing will happen."
This technique is ideal for armed forces personnel and security services, who do not usually opt for Lasik, says Mehta.
Another disadvantage of traditional Lasik is that nerves are sometimes cut while making an incision inside the cornea, leading to the problem of dry eyes.
"With SMILE, the nerve fibres do not get affected, so the eyes don't get dry."
The institute had a few months ago also deployed PresbyVu technology to remove a condition known as Presbyopia (that causes the loss of near vision beyond the age of 40). Also, known as refractive lens exchange, it replaces the natural lens of the eye with artificial ones. This does away with the need for reading glasses.
According to Mehta, the procedure is now available with the Catalys system, that enables the insertion of multi-focal glasses (equivalent to progressive lens). The critical thing is to insert these lenses accurately. The Catalys system ensures accurate placement and perfect results, he adds.
Referring to another new technique, Mehta says minimal invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) results in the fitting of an internal shunt, which will prevent the risk of infection.
Mehta was also the Chairman of Eye Advance 2016, the 11th International Congress on Advances in Ophthalmology, the biennial congress organised by the Indian Academy of Ophthalmology (IAO), which was held in Mumbai in June this year.
It attracted 37 international faculty members and 1,400 delegates. The conference focused on the control of eye problems arising out of diabetes, newer laser techniques for eliminating glasses, and retinal treatment for macular degenerative changes with advances in stem cell applications.
He was also awarded the Scientific Lifework Award 2016 from the Swiss Eye Research Foundation, Switzerland, presented by the president of the society.

• India