Precision Laser Vision meets Cataract Surgery
Highly accurate German engineered laser used for Laser vision correction introduces a new level of safety and accuracy for Cataract and Lens surgery.
Lasers previously used for laser vision correction have been adapted to remove cataracts bringing similar precision and accuracy to what is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the UK. Having eye surgery can be daunting, but with the introduction of computer controlled lasers with the accuracy of one thousandth of a millimetre, those who need cataract surgery or considering lens exchange procedures for vision correction can be reassured – a safe procedure has become much safer still.
Hands free surgery
VICTUS is the name of this German engineered femtosecond laser introduced to the UK by surgeons at Centre for Sight in London and East Grinstead. “The laser does some of the most complex portions of the procedure and I do not even need to use my hands, I just watch it all happen in HD on a TV screen” says Sheraz Daya, Medical Director.
Lasers previously used for laser vision correction have been adapted to remove cataracts bringing similar precision and accuracy to what is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the UK.Having eye surgery can be daunting, but with the introduction of computer controlled lasers with the accuracy of one thousandth of a millimetre, those who need cataract surgery or considering lens exchange procedures for vision correction can be reassured – a safe procedure has become much safer still. Hands free surgery VICTUS is the name of this German engineered femtosecond laser introduced to the UK by surgeons at Centre for Sight in London and East Grinstead. “The laser does some of the most complex portions of the procedure and I do not even need to use my hands, I just watch it all happen in HD on a TV screen” says Sheraz Daya, Medical Director.
Patient Jill Stuke from Billingshurst who had the laser procedure in June says “It’s totally pain free and very quick.” She also adds “I am very excited to finally be able to do things people take for granted, like driving and reading.”
Eye surgery has transformed in the last two decades with lasers rapidly replacing knives and blades and recovery taking just a few hours. The Femtosecond laser originally introduced to the UK by Centre for Sight in 2004 has become the “gold standard” for laser vision correction. Now this laser technology has been adapted to perform corneal transplants and cataract surgery. For the patient, the procedure is more like “Star Trek” with the added assurance of safety and accuracy.
Annually over 350,000 cataracts are performed in the UK with 85% in the NHS. VICTUS laser cataract surgery may well revolutionise the process with unprecedented accuracy and reproducibility. For the moment though this procedure is only available privately.
There has been growing interest in refractive lens exchange, an alternative to laser eye surgery that in addition to distance correction, provides near and intermediate vision too and the introduction of lasers improves accuracy of outcomes. “So far all patients who have had VICTUS with trifocal lens implants are completely free of glasses” says Mr.Daya. “An additional benefit of undergoing cataract surgery is the elimination glasses altogether, yes even readers.”
Marrying up the safety and accuracy of VICTUS laser surgery together with advanced implants for total vision correction provides almost everyone over the age of 50 with the opportunity to have the vision of a 25 year old. Think about how life changing that would be!
Author Information
Authored by Sheraz Daya MD FACP FACS FRCS(Ed) FRCOphth, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon & Medical Director, June 2019.
Next review due June 2020.