Laser treatment for the first time

Stanger Hospital will be offering laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy, which is a condition where the blood vessels of the eye (retina) become damaged and cause bleeding.

This leads to blindness if not treated early.

Public relations officer Silindile Mzila said studies show that vision can be saved in 90 percent of diabetics if laser treatment is done in conjunction with diabetic control.

“A person with diabetes is 25 times more likely to go blind than a person in the general population,” said Mzila.

“Loss of eyesight has a devastating economic and social impact especially on low income families, usually affecting breadwinners,” said Mzila.

She said they are now able to stop diabetics going blind by performing laser treatment.

Initially the pupil is dilated using eye drops.

The eye is numbed with drops which contain a local anaesthetic.

Next, a contact lens is placed on the eye and the patient faces the laser machine.

The light passes through the contact lens and pupil and is directed at the retina.