Japanese eye expert to share expertise

RENOWNED Japanese eye surgeon Dr Akahoshi Takayuki will be coming to Malaysia to help improve the teaching, learning and research and development efforts in eye health.

Known for his work with cataracts, Dr Takayuki will be coming in April to assist public universities beginning with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, International Islamic University Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said these three universities were chosen because they have extensive expertise and experience in this field as well as the potential to grow.

This, he added, is a great opportunity for the country, especially the public universities’ ophthalmology lectures to learn the latest techniques in the field of eye surgery, especially cataract.

“Dr Takayuki agreed to provide free eye surgery services to the poor in remote areas as part of his stint in Malaysia later.

“The contribution from corporate bodies is greatly appreciated to help rural people benefit from the visit later,” he said in a statement.

Dr Maszlee said Dr Takayuki is a well-known eye health expert in 67 countries and has also treated Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The surgeon has carried out surgeries using devices created by himself, called the Phaco Akahoshi Prechop, that can shorten surgeries taking 20 to 30 minutes down to an average of four to five minutes.