Mandeville Hospital needs laser machine

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:

THE NEED for a laser machine at the Mand-eville Regional Hos-pital to assist in the treatment of patients suffering from cataract is of grave concern to Ophthalmologist Dr. Gavin Henry.

Addressing the Mandeville Rotary recently on the effects of diabetes on the eyes, Dr. Henry said he along with other doctors in the Opthalmogy Department are working in very cramped space in the Mandeville hospital.

Addressing the disease itself, he said it is important that doctors ensure their patients understand that once they have developed cataract of the eyes, the efforts of the doctors is to preserve the vision not to improve it.

If the treatment improves the patient's vision as happens in many cases, then you (the doctors), will have a happy patient he added.

According to Dr. Henry, persons who are diabetic are at a higher risk of developing cataract, while pointing out that diabetes is now an epidemic in the island affecting more than 3,000 persons. By 2010, he said, at least 450,000 persons are expected to be affected by the disease.

Dr. Henry said that doctors in the island are not pleased with the lack of response from the public to warnings or talks they have been giving on how to avoid or manage the disease. Many of these talks, he said, have fallen on "stony ears".

He also had a warning for other opthalmologists who he said must be extra keen in diagnosing their patients as they are often the ones to make the first contact with some HIV/AIDS patients who have not yet become aware they have been infected with the disease.

He is also convinced that better eye care could be given to cataract patients in the region if they did not have to travel to Kingston to receive laser treatment. This, he said, puts the patient at a disadvantage as often they cannot afford the trip and the other associated expenses.

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