|
The Singapore National Eye Centre and the Singapore
Eye Research Institute will embark on a collaboration with a leading
company, 20/10 PERFECT VISION in Heidelberg, Germany to bring in
the FEMTECHTM laser microkeratome. This is fundamentally new technology
utilising the fine precision of a femtosecond laser as a surgical
tool, and has applications in a host of eye surgeries including
its ability to laser a corneal flap for lasik surgery to correct
myopia, perform corneal transplantation with precise accuracy, and
also perform glaucoma surgery.
Explaining this, A/Prof Donald Tan, Director,
Singapore Eye Research Institute said “ We have evaluated
a number of emerging technologies involving femtosecond laser systems.
The FEMTECH system is superior in that it already comes with improved
features compared to other contemporary femtosecond laser systems
including the ability to perform accurate, but gentle surgery on
the cornea without first having to apply heavy suction forces and
deforming the natural shape of the cornea. In other femtosecond
lasers, significant corneal deformation occurs during the procedure,
and high suction on the eye may in rare instances cause retinal
artery occlusion as a major complication.
This system is also versatile and is not limited
for use in laser surgery for myopia correction but has wider applications
in other major eye surgeries such as corneal transplantation and
glaucoma. We have also evaluated other similar systems such as the
IntralaseTM technology from USA which has received some public attention
recently as certain LASIK centre in neighbouring country publicised
the technology. However, we believe FEMTECH system gives overall
better value and cost effectiveness because of its improved features
and versatility over other similar systems.”
It should be noted however, that until it is
proven that femtosecond laser technology is greatly superior, it
may not necessarily replace, but instead augment conventional or
routine LASIK procedures, which may still be more cost-effective
and are already highly successful. Conventional LASIK will also
still be a faster procedure to perform, and at present, although
the femtosecond laser is able to cut a fine corneal flap, a conventional
excimer laser is still needed to perform the myopia correction on
the bed of the cornea to complete the LASIK procedure.
Under the collaboration, 20/10 PERFECT VISION
Company will work closely with Singapore Eye Research Institute
and the Singapore National Eye Centre which will be the Company’s
Asia-Pacific Training and Reference Centres and the parties intend
to collaborate closely in the field of femtosecond laser technology
in ophthalmic surgery. Of great potential interest will be the co-development
of new corneal transplantation procedures which may result in improved
safety and visual outcomes in patients blind from corneal diseases.
The FEMTEC system is expected to be installed in the next 3- 6 months
and will be the first system available in Asia.
For further information, please contact:
Ravi Chandran
Public Relations Department
Singapore National Eye Centre
Tel: 6322 8394
E-mail: ravi@snec.com.sg
|
Copyright
© 2004. Singapore National Eye Centre. All rights reserved.
