Laser for specialist cataract and glaucoma surgery
Despite the pandemic, patients can still visit Nuffield Health Cardiff Bay Hospital, where specialist equipment is further enhancing and streamlining cataract patients’ experience. Now YAG laser procedures to clear cataract capsules, sometimes required after cataract surgery, are available and the new kit can also be used to lower eye pressure in glaucoma. Adhering to all government guidelines, strict safety measures are in place at both the Cardiff Bay and Vale hospitals to keep patients safe.
CATARACT surgery is the most commonly performed operation in the UK, with over 20,000 procedures being undertaken in Wales alone every year.
This usually prevents loss of sight. Following cataract surgery, over time, between 5 and
10% of patients develop capsular opacification, when scar tissue develops and makes sight cloudy. YAG laser surgery can easily correct this, with almost immediate restoration of the previously improved eyesight.
In early January, a state-ofthe-art Litechnica Selector II SLT/Q-YAG laser was installed at Nuffield Health’s Cardiff Bay hospital. This specialist equipment can be used by consultant ophthalmologists for a number of cataract-related and glaucoma procedures including laser capsulotomy, selective laser trabeculoplasty and narrow angle irodotomy. Patients can be seen, assessed and treated in one single visit to the consultation room, with less waiting on-site.
Eye specialist Dan Morris said “It is great news that we, as ophthalmologists, are performing laser eye treatments for patients here at Cardiff Bay. One of these procedures, a straightforward YAG capsulotomy, enables those who need it, to return to reading, driving and going out in the dark, after just a single visit“.
YAG Laser Capsulotomy is a special laser treatment used to improve vision after cataract surgery. It is a painless and safe procedure. During cataract operations, the natural lens inside the eye that had become cloudy is removed. A new plastic lens is put inside the lens membrane. In a small number of patients, the capsule thickens after surgery and becomes cloudy. This interferes with the light reaching the back of the eye. When this happens sight becomes misty and causes glare, which can mean that night-time vision becomes a major issue. Capsule thickening can happen in the months after cataract operations, but more commonly occurs about two years after surgery. A YAG laser capsulotomy is the only way to treat this and is mainly picked up by opticians when patients have routine reviews.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, is a form of laser surgery that is required to lower intraocular pressure in glaucoma. It is used as an alternative to eye drop medications or when drops alone are not lowering the eye pressure sufficiently or are causing significant side effects. It can also be used as initial treatment in glaucoma.
MEET THREE EMINENT EYE SURGEONS
At the Cardiff Bay Eye Centre of Excellence, Nuffield Health Cardiff and Vale Hospitals has seven consultant eye surgeons. In addition to Mr Amit Gaur, Prof Mohammed Muhtaseb, Mr Kadaba Rajkumar and
Mr Raghu Ram, here are some of those specialists who focus on laser treatments.
Ms Wai Siene Ng, a consultant ophthalmologist at the University Hospital of Wales explains, “Vision is one of the most important senses essential to living a good quality of life. I was exposed to how important this was as a medical student and was amazed by how life changing it is for patients when their sight is restored after a cataract operation. My particular specialties are cataract surgery and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, laser eye procedures for glaucoma and YAG laser treatment for patients following cataract surgery.
In the majority of cases, vision is successfully restored after cataract surgery. Patients with glaucoma or a family history of glaucoma often worry about going blind.
This is because glaucoma is a silent thief of vision and is the second cause of blindness in the world. Glaucoma can run in families so it is important that they have regular yearly check-ups so that glaucoma can be detected early and treated. The majority of these patients should be able to preserve their vision in their lifetime.
I have many research interests and am very keen on using the latest glaucoma devices to get patients off drop treatment or to reduce the risks of major glaucoma surgery. Currently,
I am looking at using anti-scarring agents during cataract surgery in patients with previous glaucoma surgery as well as Laser Peripheral Iridotomy in patients with angle-closure glaucoma.”
Mr Hugh Jewsbury, joined Nuffield Health six months ago and his NHS consultant post is at University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, where he specialises in cataract surgery, strabismus (squints) and neuro and paediatric ophthalmology. At Nuffield Health he performs YAG capsulotomy, cataract procedures and squint surgery for both adults and children aged 3 years and above.
With degrees in medicine and biomedical sciences, he completed his medical training at Bath and his general ophthalmology training in Wales. In 2013 he obtained Senior Trainee of the Year award across all medical specialities. His super-specialist training was at the world-renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. Involved in national and international research and training, Hugh Jewsbury is the Royal College of Ophthalmology Tutor at the University Hospital of Wales.
Mr Dan Morris, an ophthalmology consultant with the NHS at the Heath in Cardiff and at Nuffield Health for over 12 years, says, “I always wanted to be a surgeon and was fascinated by the way surgery on the eye can make such a big difference to people’s lives. I enjoy that special relationship that you develop with your patients. After all they are putting an incredible amount of trust in you to operate on something as delicate and important as their eyes.
My main specialties are cataract surgery and eyelid surgery. Thankfully cataracts can be removed in a painless day case operation so restoring sight. I also offer premium lenses such as toric and multifocal lenses to correct astigmatism, which causes blurry visison, to leave you less dependent on spectacles. Patients are carefully assessed for their suitability for this type of lens. I am comfortable with any lid problem from benign lumps and bumps to serious tumours. I also offer blepharoplasty surgery to improve baggy eyelids. My particular research interests are in cataracts, thyroid eye disease, ocular trauma, sports medicine and sustainable healthcare.
Many people put off coming to see an eye surgeon because they are petrified of somebody like me sticking something sharp in their eye, which is completely understandable! If however you just ask somebody who has had cataract surgery and you will see that it is really nothing to worry about at all and it can save your sight.
The other concern people have at present is COVID-19. We have not had any cases following cataract surgery at Nuffield Health Cardiff Bay Hospital and we are lucky, being a day case hospital with no high-risk inpatients.
We keep the place scrupulously clean, wear PPE at all times, observe social distancing, minimise the number of people in the hospital and make sure you are COVID tested and isolated before your surgery, so that you can feel safe coming to us.”
On Wednesday 24th March @ 6pm there is a free virtual patient event “Let’s talk eye problems” at 6pm with Mr Dan Morris. For more information generally or to book a place, please ring 02920 836714 or select eyes at the following link: https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/ hospitals/cardiff-and-vale/ treatments