PEN-LIKE DEVICE BREAKTHROUGH IN EYE SURGERY
A GOLD Coast eye surgeon has been hand-picked as the first in Australia and New Zealand to get hit hands on a tiny surgical device helping to save the vision of cataract patients.
Ophthalmologist Dr Nick Andrew, who operates out of Southport’s Short Street Day Surgery, performed the first miLOOP cataract surgery in the countries earlier this month.
“I was just privileged, I was honoured because (manufacturer) Carl Zeiss asked me to be the first surgeon in Australia and New Zealand to use the device,” Dr Andrew said.
“It has certain sweet spots for certain sweet patients who benefit the most. A lot of surgeons will start using it as a regular part of their technique.”
Dr Andrew said technology had come a long way, and several decades ago cataract surgery involved “a huge corneal incision which would have many stitches”.
Patients used to have to be hospitalised and recover with bed rest, but now the surgery takes less than an hour and those who have surgery are usually back at work the next day.
The lens fragmentation device, which looks like a pen, can be used through a 1.5mm keyhole incision, improving patient safety and reducing pain and recovery time.
Gold Coasters such as Terry Grounds, 75, have gone from barely being able to see to having sight good enough to fly a fighter jet.
Broadbeach Waters resident Tina Benton, 67, has cataracts in both eyes and is having the surgery because she wants to maintain her independence – and improve her golf.
She is booked for surgery on Monday. “The hope is no glasses. That I won’t need them anymore,” she said.