Dimapur, August 6 (MExN): The Department of Ophthalmology, CIHSR (Referral Hospital) dedicated the new Phacoemulsification cataract surgery machine in the eye operation theatre on August 5. Dr. Clement, ENT surgeon and Medical Superintendent, CIHSR addressed the doctors and staffs present, while Dr Sedevi Angami gave a brief speech on the need for providing state of the art eye facility to patients, informed a press release received here. Acquiring the cataract surgery machine, Dr. Sedevi said, was one step closer to give quality services to the patients.
Dr. Lipoksanen Jamir MBBS MS (Ophthalmology) Fellowship in Phacoemuslification surgery, the Consultant in charge of the Department of Ophthalmology spoke on the new machine and its benefits. He explained that cataract is clouding of the natural lens of the eye which impedes the passage of light. Most cataracts are related to ageing, although occasionally children may be born with the condition, or cataract may develop after an injury, inflammation or disease. Risk factors for age-related cataract include diabetes, prolonged exposure to sunlight, tobacco use and alcohol drinking, it was stated.
Dr. Lipoksanen further pointed out that in many remote parts of the developing world, people remain blind from cataract due to lack of access to eye care. Vision can be restored by surgically removing the affected natural lens, and replacing it with an artificial one. Although there are many surgical techniques, one of the most commonly used is emulsifying the natural Cataractous lens using the Phacoemulsification (lens-emulsification) machine, it was explained. He further stated that compared to the other techniques, the surgery using this machine ensures that the incision is smaller which facilitates the implantation of a foldable intraocular lens (artificial lens). The doctor added that the postoperative recovery is faster with minimal scarring of the eye tissues.
In addition to surgical services which include Cataract, Pterygium, DCT, DCR, Entropion, Ectropion, Chalazion etc, the Department of Ophthalmology, CIHSR also offers other outpatient services like comprehensive eye check up, prescription of spectacles, glaucoma screening, diabetes related eye problems, foreign body removal, dry eyes and other common eye conditions.
