AN INEXPENSIVE and reliable eye operation technique has revolutionised the efforts made by eye surgeons in controlling the blindness rate caused due to cataract. The new suture-less manual 'small incision cataract surgery', much cheaper than the latest phaco emulsification technique, is fast gaining acceptance in the region due to its low cost, and results as good as the latest technique used in the cataract surgery.
The technique has been initiated by Associate Professor at Department of Ophthalmology MLN Medical College and Intraocular Implant Society of India president Dr Kamaljit Singh.
In this new technique an incision of 6-6.5mm is made and non-foldable lense is implanted. The cost of surgery comes around Rs 250-300 in the government hospital and the entire procedure is done manually. Whereas in phaco emulsification technique, an incision of 3.5mm to 4mm is made and the surgery is done through costly equipment and microscope which costs between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh.
The cost of the surgery also comes around Rs 5000 because foldable lense is implanted.
The recovery period in small incision cataract surgery is between 10-12 days and in phaco emulsification technique it is within 7-8 days. But it hardly makes any difference because the results are as good as any other latest and expensive technique used in the cataract surgery. The patients don't mind to take rest for one more week provided the cost of surgery comes down to one fourth, said Dr Singh.
"The technique is already quite popular in the Western countries and is best suited in the Indian context where there is limited eye care infrastructure.
{{/usCountry}}"The technique is already quite popular in the Western countries and is best suited in the Indian context where there is limited eye care infrastructure.
{{/usCountry}}Moreover all the eye surgeons cannot afford costly phaco instruments. Even poor patients cannot afford costly foldable lense. The Allahabad has now become leading centre in UP where this technique is being widely used by ophthalmologists," he added.
Dr Singh has also authored first book on this technique and has trained and given live demonstrations in Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Delhi and UP.