For years, philanthropist Tej Kohli has invested millions of dollars in finding solutions for easy, effective, less time-consuming, and cost-effective cataract surgery. He and eye surgeon Dr SandukRuit have been working tirelessly to cure the ‘needless blindness’ caused by cataracts among the people of the underserved region in developing nations. One solution that has become quite a game-changer in cataract surgery is robotic surgery technology.
Comparing Traditional With Robotic Cataract Surgery
In today’s modern cataract surgery, the surgeon must make an incision of 2.2 mm in the eye to remove the eye’s clouded lens. After that, a customised artificial lens is inserted in place of the cloudy lens to restore the vision. In traditional cataract surgery, these methods are done physically. At times, ultrasonic energy is used to liquefy the lens after the incision is done instead of removing the clouded lens manually.
Robotic cataract surgery removes the manual steps; instead, a laser machine is attached to the eye. Next, the machine takes images of the cataract-induced eye and then on the cornea, it makes an incision. The lens capsule is opened using the robotic equipment, and the clouded lens is disintegrated using the same technology. The entire process takes less than five minutes.
Benefits Of Robotic Cataract Surgery
Besides robotic cataract surgery taking less time to operate, there are several other benefits.
1. Lesser Risk
When cataracts are removed manually, the precision of the surgery increases. Robotic cataract surgery uses a computerised laser system that reduces risks like a capsular tear or inferior incision quality. There is a degree of considerable accuracy that is beyond human capacity.
2. Lens Placement Precision
The robotic cataract laser surgery uses the technology to make the incision, remove the clouded lens, and insert the clear lens. With the technology, there is precision in opening and stability in placing the artificial lens well-centred in the eye.
3. Faster Recovery
Since the incision is done with precision and no extra tear is made, the healing process becomes faster for the patient since there are no stitches. There is also a comfort after the procedure where robotic cataract surgery is used.
4. Better Vision
With robotic cataract surgery, there is less human intervention with the operation. With a calculated incision, the lens’s removal and restoration is clear and ensures a sharp vision. The efficacy of the process is better with reduced risk of infection.
Modern Technology Used By TKRF
Though this technology can only be used in areas where medical facilities are better, it is impossible to think of using robotic cataract surgery technology in regions where noble-hearted Tej Kohli and Dr SandukRuit restore vision with their Tej Kohli and Ruit Foundation (TKRF).
While robotic cataract surgery technology cannot cure the targeted 500,000 cataract-induced blind people in the underserved region of the world, TKRF is not behind in modernising the technology to restore eyesight. For years, angel investor Tej Kohli has made cataract surgeries accessible in unreachable destinations with portable medical surgery beds and equipment.
With the determination of these two sexagenarians, one might never know they can bring in robotic cataract surgery equipment to end the ‘needless blindness’ by 2030.
