No-Blade Cataract Surgery To Begin Next Month In Malaysia

PETALING JAYA (Selangor, Malaysia), Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Vista Laser Eye Center Sdn Bhd (Vista) will begin the first of its kind "LenSx No-Blade Cataract" surgery in December and 300 surgeries have been lined up todate for patients coming from far and near. Despite the steep surgery cost, expected to vary between RM5,000 (US$1,565) and RM12,000 (US$3,757), patients from as far as China and Australia have opted for this procedure because of the convenience it offered in terms precision and 24-hour recovery. Vista chief executive officer Lim Boon Siong said:"Instead of using blades the laser allows the surgeons to make precise corneal insertion." "Around 25 per cent of our reservation are made by patients from Singapore, Australia and China. "Next year, we anticipate between 1,500 and 2,000 patients and an annual increase of 30 per cent, thereafter," he told a press conference here on Friday. Lim said by being among the first to introduce the technology in Asia, besides India and Philippines, Vista hoped to attract more foreign patients to its centre and simultaneously contribute towards the development of Malaysia's medical tourism industry. "Back in 2003, we were the first in Asia to introduce the No-Blade Lasik surgery using the "intralase femtosecond" laser technology and now we are proud to be the first in Malaysia to introduce this new technology. "Since its establishment in 1999, Vista has been committed to providing world-class technology to help patients attain their best vision. This new technology will ensure safer, accurate and a premium surgical experience for our patients," he added. -- BERNAMA Malaysia