Clearer vision
TUN Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital (THONEH) recently unveiled the Yttrium-Aluminium Garnet (YAG) apparatus to its line-up of modern eye care equipment. The machine is said to be able to perform Laser Vitreolys, a non-invasive procedure to treat “eye floaters”.
The vitreous humour is a jelly-like substance located in the main chamber of the eye. It sits in between the lens and the retina. In one’s younger years, the vitreous humour is clear and transparent. It changes over time, as we age and loses its form, liquefying. This degenerating of the vitreous humour leads to the collapsing of collagen fibres which then bind together to form clumps and knots, creating shadows on the retina. These - spots, strings and cobwebs – are what is commonly referred to as “eye floaters”.
THE CONDITION
Eye floaters are especially common among the elderly. It almost affects everyone by the age of 70. At times, this “condition” may persist for months and disappear, returning now and again. Studies report that the condition is common in adults and only 20% are abnormal or harmful; more likely to occur in those with diabetic retinopathy, suffer from retinal tears or retinal detachment or extremely near-sighted. Others at risk include those who have had cataract surgery or inflammatory diseases. While 80% of “floaters” are harmless, though troublesome and interfere with vision, those with the mentioned medical conditions are urged to go for an eye examination and seek appropriate treatment.
THE REMEDY
While previously an invasive surgery called Vitrectomy treated severe cases of floaters, today, THONEH has the equipment to perform the non-invasive procedure to treat the condition.
“The Ultra Q multi-modality YAG Laser we acquired offers greater accuracy and control than traditional YAG Lasers, allowing us to perform better treatment. Additionally, with this new equipment, we can finally bring relief to many of our patients who have troublesome floaters,” shared THONEH senior consultant ophthalmologist Dr Pall Singh.
The revolutionary pain-free procedure involves nanosecond pulses of laser lights to vaporise vitreous opacities and sever vitreous strands turning it into gas molecules.
THE PROCEDURE
Patients need only register as an outpatient. During the procedure, an ophthalmologist will administer mild anaesthesia in the form of eye drops. Then, a contact lens will be placed on the eye with a laser light delivered through a specially designed microscope. These lasers emit high-powered density to vaporise small structures without the need for physical surgery, which promotes a safer method of removing the collapsed collagen fibres.
Each treatment lasts between 20 and 60 minutes and may require multiple sessions to achieve optimum results. To determine eligibility for vitreolysis treatment, patients will have to go through an ophthalmic examination beforehand. Currently, THONEH is offering an introductory price for the procedure, at just RM800. This introductory offer stands for a limited time only. For more, visit THONEH’s Facebook page or call 03-7718 1588.