Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital has recently introduced in its Madurai centre the Z- Cataract: Femtosecond-Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS) machine. Sri Ramachandra Hospital (Main Hospital, Madurai), a unit of Dr Agarwals Eye Hospitals, is headed by Dr. S. Srinivasan, President and Regional Head, Clinical Services, Madurai. Incidentally, this is one of the very few hospitals where the machine is available in the entire Dr Agarwals Group of Eye Hospitals.
“The laser-based technology machine is ideally meant for the geriatric population, for whom it is most suited. Cataract is more common in older people than in children. Nevertheless, this technique works perfectly for the paediatric population too. Children with cataract, regardless of what age they are, can be operated with this advanced laser technique,” said Dr. S. Srinivasan, President and Regional Head - Clinical Services, Madurai.
“When compared with the conventional manual laser surgery available in India, this is the most advanced form of Laser surgery available in India yet. In this surgery, the cut is made using laser rather than a surgical blade. Opening in the capsular bag is done with laser, whereas in normal phaco surgery, it is done using a needle. Over 80% to 90% of the surgery is done using the laser equipment. Cataract fragmentation is done using Femtosecond laser so the amount of ultrasound energy used is less compared to normal phaco surgery, thus giving more protection to cornea,” said Dr. Ramya Sampath, Regional Head – Clinical Services, Chennai, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital.
“Some of the advantages of FLACS is that there is very minimal energy used for dividing the nucleus. Thus, the cornea is totally protected from the energy transfer. Also, the incision is made by the machine. This makes the wound perfect and clean for closure and apposition too,” added Dr. S. Srinivasan.
The added benefit that one can enjoy by utilizing the laser-assisted cataract surgery machine is that the surgery follows the machine maximum and man minimum concept ensuring that surgical time is significantly reduced.
“The surgery is so advanced that the patient need not wait 24 hours post-surgery to be discharged. In a maximum of 3 hours post-surgery, the patient after observation can be discharged and can resume all activities from the very next day itself. In Femto Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS), the visual recovery time is faster even in dense cataracts, and for those with weak corneas.” pointed Dr. Ramya Sampath.
Compared to the manual cataract surgery cost, though FLACS is slightly high, it works out to be economically beneficial in both the short and long term because of the surgery’s precision, quicker discharge time and advanced laser technology ensuring zero complications.