Date:22/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/22/stories/2006112221990300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Phacoemulsification unit opened at Minto Eye Hospital

Staff Reporter

NEW FACILITY: Minister for Medical Education V.S. Acharya (right), launching the Phacoemulsification unit at Minto Hospital in Bangalore on Tuesday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Bangalore: Minto Eye Hospital on Tuesday inaugurated its Phacoemulsification unit, which promises to overcome many of the disadvantages of conventional cataract surgery.

In the process of phacoemulsification, an opening of 2.8 mm is made using automated equipment, the cataract is softened and sucked out of the eye, says Sri Prakash, Superintendent of Minto Hospital. A foldable intra-ocular lens is then implanted. This surgery could be performed without any injection, the recovery period is fast and the quality of vision is also good, he said.

The conventional form of surgery, which involves suturing the eye after making an opening of about 9 mm, is less expensive but the recovery period is short and the quality of vision could be affected by astigmatism (a defect in the eye that does not allow the eye to focus properly).

Funds

Medical Education Minister V.S. Acharya said that funds would be sanctioned for protection of the heritage hospital building.

Grants will also be released for the upgradation of facilities at the hospital, currently a tertiary medical centre. Funds for stipends for fellowships being pursued at Minto will also be looked into, he said.