|
|
| Dar Al-Shifa Hospital introduces VisuMax – Kuwait’s First |
| | Sat, 17 Nov 2012 |
| |  |
| |
KUWAIT: Dar Al Shifa Hospital proudly announced yesterday the arrival of the world’s most technologically advanced laser vision correction machine, the VisuMax. With the latest model of the VisuMax introduced by the hospital for the first time in Kuwait, patients can look forward to receiving optimal levels of superior state-of-the-art ophthalmology and optical services.
VisuMax, which has been developed by renowned Carl Zeiss Meditec, is the logical enhancement of its product range, and marks another step into the future of corneal surgery. The machine uses the Mel80 innovation, which has been designed to make the correction of vision defects even safer, more patient-friendly and individual. The innovative femtosecond laser system brings together perfectly coordinated components to provide maximum cutting precision, efficiency, predictability and comfort. The machine is considered as the ideal platform for therapeutic and refractive applications of cutting-edge corneal surgery, including Flap, Keratoplasty, Incision for ICR and ReLEx.
With Flap, the machine utilizes Femto-LASIK and laser blended vision for treating presbyopic patients, and stands out as a flap cutter. It provides predictable flap thickness and adjustable geometries. Moreover, VisuMax offers a broad spectrum of corneal transplant procedures, including lamellar and penetrating keratoplasty. High-precision cutting quality and rapid incision progress enable the preparation of precision corneal grafts and ideal preparation of the recipient’s cornea.
The machine also impresses with its femtosecond laser technology for the implantation of intracorneal rings. It even permits inclined cutting geometries and ring tunnels smaller than 360∞ and offers a previously unachieved degree of flexibility when defining the tunnel parameters. With the minimally invasive refractive procedure, ReLEx smile, VisuMax enables a new, flapless technique. In a single step, the femtosecond laser creates the refractive lenticule, and the access through which the lenticule is extracted.
A specially designed spherically curved contact glass is used during the procedure, which prevents unnecessarily high rise in intraocular pressure and temporary vision loss during the procedure. The result is a fast, safe and comfortable procedure. With a laser pulse rate of 500 kHz, the VisuMax sets new standards of efficiency in corneal surgery. It combines excellent accuracy with best-in-class speed and treatment comfort in performing advanced femtosecond laser applications, short procedures, enhanced workflow and high patient throughput. It further allows surgeons to create 3D cuts within the cornea, essentially increasing predictability of refractive surgery due to less tissue destruction and better ambient conditions.
Dr. Yousef Al Zafiri, Dar Al Shifa Hospital’s Ophthalmology Consultant, and one of the few highly qualified practitioners in this field said: “We are proud to introduce to Kuwait for the first time the latest version of the VisuMax machine. This new pioneering technology is significantly shaping the world of refractive surgery, and one which employs high-performance femtosecond laser technology which is characterized by its outstanding cutting precision, unsurpassed speed and gentle treatment techniques. All the parameters of this high-precision laser machine are geared to increasing efficiency, achieving optimum treatment results and rapid visual recovery.”
“The latest version of the machine delivers excellent clinical outcomes coupled with the potential for a unique optimized work flow for our surgeons and improved comfort for our patients. The hospital now has full capacity to establish comprehensive vision correction services, while also offering corneal therapeutic applications,” added Dr Al Zafiri.
In a study conducted in the United States recently, 85% of all patients who experienced the VisuMax have achieved uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 and better after 3 months, in which stability included no regression. The overall results are very close to target refraction, where 97% of eyes refractive outcome is within +/-0.5D. Doctors have also found that patients’ side-cut area using the VisuMax is up to 80% smaller. This means that the majority of the upper corneal layers remain untouched when using the machine. Moreover the lamellar incision area is roughly 1/3 smaller compared to Femto-Lasik.
Dr. Al Zafiri also noted that: “The benefits of the VisuMax are extensive. For patients, flying spot laser where the eye tracker’s response time is shorter than the time between two consecutive laser pulses, while also benefitting from comfortable treatment, as well as rapid vision recovery. Moreover, for eye care specialists, the VisuMax machine offers a broad portfolio of applications, and the machine can be easily combined with the femtosecond system. For workflow, the machine provides seamless data transfer, shorter start-up time, and swivel-type patient supporting system.”
The machine is currently found across Saudi Arabia (4 machines), Bahrain (2 machines), Egypt (2 machines), the UAE (2 machines) and now, for the first time in Kuwait. Dar Al Shifa Hospital’s latest initiative demonstrates its responsibility to its patients and its overall commitment towards providing a better life to them.
|
|