A hospital in Mumbai city has become the first in Western India to introduce the world’s most advanced laser-free technique for the removal of the cataract in patients.

Announcing this to news men here on Wednesday, Dr Nitin Deshpande of the Shree Ramkrishna Netralaya, a superspeciality hospital, said that he was happy to announce the launch of all laser-free cataract surgery with world’s most advanced Lensar (USA) technology for the first time in western India. He showed the fifth version of the Lensar technology which only the other four centres have in the entire country.

Talking about the Advanced Robotic Blade-Free Laser Cataract procedure, he said that the entire process is cent percent blade free and the procedure lasts for just 20 seconds, after which the patient is free to continue his normal activities. Elaborating on the technique, Dr Deshpande said that all openings are made with Femtosecond laser which doesn’t require blades or other mechanical instruments.

"Incisions are computer programmed leaving no margin for error. It also reduces energy and heat production during surgery, safeguarding delicate structures of the eye and aids in managing most complicated case with ease and precision. Chances of leftover cylindrical glass powers post-surgery are also reduced significantly," he informed. Dr Suhas Deshpande, while talking to the media, claimed that Shree Ramkrishna Netralaya was one of the earliest in country to adopt this cutting-edge technology.

"We give maximum importance to accurate, precision and safe surgery which is achived by the latest technology," he said. As regards the cost of the procedure, he said, the hospital offered fifty per cent concession to the patients and would make it affordable to one and all who need it the most. The duo cited the latest findings of a study which stated that those suffering from cataract is likely to cross over 7.50 crore by 2020 and hence, it is better to take care of one's eyes from now itself. It has been observed that 50 per cent of the people approach a doctor only after they encounter some problem and never bother about annual check-up and eye care, they added.