First of its kind in Maharashtra, advanced laser system for vision correction installed at city hospital

Time of India

6 days ago

PUNE: In a major step forward in laser eye surgery technology, an advanced bladeless laser system (VisuMax 800 Femtosecond Laser System by ZEISS) was installed at PBMA's H.V. Desai Eye Hospital.
This is the first such installation in the state of
Maharashtra
claimed the hospital.
The information was given at a press conference by senior eye surgeons Dr Mukesh Paryani, Dr Varsha Puranik, and Dr Sanket Kulkarni. Mr Parvez Billimoria, Executive Director, and Dr Rahul Deshpande, Chief Medical Director, H.V. Desai Eye Hospital, were also present on the occasion.
Dr Mukesh Paryani shared that getting rid of glasses is more than a cosmetic requirement now.
It has become a necessity in many professional and sports settings, where clear vision without the hindrance of eyewear can significantly enhance performance, safety, and confidence.
One way to get rid of glasses and contact lenses is to undergo laser procedures called refractive surgery. One of the major procedures used for refractive surgeries is SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction), which is used to change the shape of the cornea so that the light rays are focused on the cornea and the refractive error (glasses power) is removed.
This latest technology uses ultrafast femtosecond (tiny fraction of a second) laser pulses (short bursts of light generated by lasers) to create a precise lenticule (a disc-shaped piece of corneal tissue) which is then removed. This is faster and safer and is an important milestone for refractive surgeries in Maharashtra.
Dr Varsha Puranik said that the highly automated and robotic machine delivers higher precision, shorter procedure time, and less discomfort, resulting in faster recovery and better safety.
This next-generation femtosecond laser system creates data-driven insights to help surgeons better manage treatment.
While the machine is highly automated, the surgeon plays a crucial role in planning the treatment, guiding the laser application, performing the lenticule removal, and ensuring precision and patient safety throughout the procedure.
Dr Sanket Kulkarni said that the patients undergo a comprehensive eye examination for eligibility.
This includes corneal tomography, refraction and visual acuity, and a complete comprehensive examination of the eye.
While proper precautions are necessary as prescribed by the ophthalmologist, most patients can resume normal activities within three days, with significant visual improvement noted within a day or two. Full visual recovery may take around four weeks.