Experts Train Optometrists on New Tools
As a way to curbing the increasing rate of cataract in the country, Health Partners, a health management organisation and Eye Foundation Hospital Group, brought together optometrists and ophthalmologists for a training on how to use Femto Laser, a surgical tool used for cataract patients who do not want to use glasses.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Health Partners, Dele Salami, the training was designed to help the optometrists perform their duties better and more effectively as well as make them conversant with the new tool.
While commending the eye specialists for coming together to learn about Femto Laser, he stressed on the need for them to work in tandem to administer quality service to the public.
“Today we are able to organise these ophthalmologists and optometrists and tell them that they can do better if they collaborate with one another,” he stated. This Femto Laser, according to him, is a surgical procedure done for cataract patients, “and it has been proven to correct the eye problem itself within five to 10 minutes. Also at the workshop, the Chief Executive Officer of Eye Foundation Hospital Group, Dr. Adekunle Hassan, explained that the broad goal of the gathering was to help develop a platform that will enhance ophthalmic practice and service delivery through training, skill transfer, access to finance, project management and wealth creation.”
“It’s a special laser that is different from any kind of laser we have used before. Also we are introducing cataracts surgery into the market in Nigeria and it’s the first in sub Saharan Africa. This can go a long way in terms of providing the best treatment outcome for cataract” he assured.
Explaining how extensively the technology will improve on the success of cataract surgery, Dr. Hassan said: “It is a very simple to use. When the eye focuses an image at the back of the eye, the area that focuses on that image is the dark part of the eye called the cornea while the lense focus on the light. If the cornea is too thick it focuses at the front of the retina so you don’t get an image.”
He added that before now, surgical knives were used to make incisions, “but now, the laser goes into the eye itself and make the incision, presents a hole, softens the lens, and then inject a new lens to the eye to replace the Catron.”
While addressing the issue, Dr. Hassan assured, “We are here today because of the advanced technological changes going on in the eye care industry which we proudly present in the specialty.