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More than 1.25 million cataract surgeries worldwide used Laser-assisted technology since inception

Laser-assisted Cataract Treatment to Benefit India as 74% of elderlies over 60 years have cataracts

Mumbai, January 30th, 2017: Modern cataract surgery technology, Femto Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS), has automated some of the most critical steps in cataract procedures bringing new levels of safety, accuracy, and predictability, and has gained worldwide acceptance in the six years since its inception.

The Femto-laser system enhances safety by improving the performance of a surgeon, and reducing the chances of human error. The computer-controlled incisions made by the laser are more accurate and precise than manual incisions made especially in terms of the depth and architecture. These bladeless incisions result in better wound sealing and fewer chances of infections. Owing to these benefits, a growing number of surgeons across the world use the laser-assisted platform to perform most of the difficult steps of present day cataract surgery.

“The worldwide adoption of the technology has increased 125 times from 10,000 laser-assisted procedures in 2011 to 1.25 million procedures till December 2016. Similarly, 45,000 surgeries have been performed in India till year-end 2016 compared to a 100 in 2011,” said Dr. Vinod C. Mehta, Founder Director and Chief Consultant at Mehta Eye Clinic, one of the earliest users of this technology. India will definitely benefit from laser-assisted treatment as about 74% of Indian elderlies over the age of 60 years develop cataracts.

The critical aspect of Femto-laser technology is the speed at which the light is fired, and its focused ultra-short pulses that eliminates the collateral damage of surrounding tissues. It also reduces the chances of infection and the outcome of every procedure becomes more predictable; eliminating the need to make incisions by blades reduces the variability from one procedure to another.

US Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA)  approved LenSx Laser system is the market leader in the Femto-laser segment  which has performed more cataract surgeries worldwide than any other laser system. Commenting on the LenSx Laser system, Dr. Mehta said, “The system has been used in more than 80 % of laser-assisted cataract procedures i.e. 10 lakhs out of the 12.5 lakhs performed worldwide.”