Date:28/03/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/03/28/stories/2004032810510300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Customised laser treatment for refractive errors in eyes

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, MARCH 27. Refractive errors of the eye are a common problem but they are probably diagnosed better now. Also, it is possible that the incidence is increasing since the error is inherited and parents may be silent carriers, according to ophthalmologist Arulmozhi Varman.

The laser technique of correcting vision can help the shortsighted depending on the curvature and thickness of the cornea. The errors for which spectacles are prescribed include short sight, long sight and astigmatism.

Dr. Varman, who runs an organisation at Anna Nagar providing laser treatment, says "We have turned away people with power as low as minus 2 because their cornea can tear during laser treatment." At his clinic, where 17 ophthalmologists treat refractive errors, "patients even with minus 16 power have been treated."

Glasses and lenses prescribed for corrective vision carry a minus sign for shortsightedness and a plus sign for reading glasses or near vision. Laser method is used to correct astigmatism, also known as `cylinder.' The technique will only treat one kind of refractive error. People above 40 may not benefit if they are prescribed reading glasses.

Laser treatment can cost Rs. 28,000 to 38,000. The treatment is customised to some extent, which explains why it is so steeply priced.

About 60 per cent of the patients at the clinic exhibit high variability in their corneal surfaces and hence standardised treatment not possible, says Dr. Varman. S.S. Badrinath, Chairman of Sankara Nethralaya, formally inaugurated last month the clinic, Reya Z100 laser vision centre, which can be contacted over phone 5205 7942, 26213670, 2626 5919.