The specialist eye hospital, BMI Southend Private Hospital in Essex, has become one of the first UK medical centres to offer patients treatment with the advanced LensAR Femtosecond Cataract Laser.
The system, from manufacturer, Topcon, can be used in both cataract and lens replacement (Presbyopic Lens Exchange) procedures and will be operated by a leading team of consultant ophthalmic surgeons, including Rajesh Aggarwal, Sam Kasaby and Niral Karia.
Speaking on the investment, Aggarwal, said: “From a patient perspective the LensAR system brings micron-level accuracy without the need for invasive surgery with needles or surgical blades. Put simply, the technology is the greatest breakthrough in cataract surgery in the last 25 years.”
LensAR has been shown to enhance the accuracy of surgery while also improving post-operative outcomes. The procedure is superior as it offers surgeons a reproducible, non-invasive technique that replaces the least predictable and most technically-challenging steps of conventional cataract or lens replacement surgery.
From a patient perspective the LensAR system brings micron-level accuracy without the need for invasive surgery with needles or surgical blades. Put simply, the technology is the greatest breakthrough in cataract surgery in the last 25 years
The main advantage of the technology over the current alternative is its propriety Augmented Reality system that collects an unprecedented spectrum of biometric data, generating an accurate 3D model of each individual eye. This allows for placement of accurate customisable laser incisions, enabling the surgeon to control the procedure and perform a better, more precise, cataract removal procedure customised to each patient’s own anatomy.
The treatment algorithms of the laser are also optimised for each cataract grade and the purpose designed integrated system is highly efficient in eliminating or significantly reducing the amount of ultrasound energy required for the cataract removal.
The LensAR technology is able to deliver a patient-focused service and the servo-controlled docking system has a ‘no corneal touch’ liquid patient interface for greater patient comfort, which avoids any compression or distortion to the cornea.
Kirsty Baker, executive director at BMI Southend Hospital, said: “The hospital is committed to the latest advances in technology where supported by clinical evidence in order to help deliver the best solutions for our patients and this commitment has led to this investment in the latest LensAR Femtosecond Laser. Our consultant surgeons are delighted to be able to offer the benefits of this advanced technology, which enables them to deliver accurate and reproducible incisions for all patients needing cataract or lens replacements procedures.”