Kerala-based Mulamoottil Eye Hospital, which has been attracting large number of foreign patients and NRIs, became the second institution in the country to introduce blade-free lasik surgery.


“It is the first time this kind of surgery is launched in Kerala and we are offering very affordable pricing for the patients. This is the second such facility in India after the first installation in Bangalore two months back,” medical director of the hospital Dr Ashley Jacob said.


A pioneer in many state-of-the-art systems and equipped with the latest in technology, Mulamoottil Hospital at Kozhencherry in Pathanamthitta district has a family tradition in eye care, dating back to 1885. Located near the river Pampa and having an international guest house for outstation patients, the hospital has become a favourite place especially for NRIs.


Presently many hospitals perform the partially blade-free surgery where a computerized metallic blade is used for cutting the flap of cornea and correcting the lens power by re-shaping the remaining cornea with laser treatment. Cutting the flap with blade may cause problems in the long run as the wounds made with a metallic tool will not join as before and this may weaken the cornea after a few years. In blade-free-flap-free Lasik method, the surgery is being performed with laser beams through a laser window.


“In conventional blade and laser method, there will be a tissue loss of cornea to the extent of 150 microns whereas in flap-free blade-free Lasik surgery, it comes down 80 microns. Lasik surgery helps to correct upto 12 dioptre (lens power) while conventional surgery can help only upto 6 dioptre. The surgery will offer a spectacle-free life to most of the patients suffering from myopia. It can also be used for correcting astigmatism. Moreover, the surgery will be over in eight to ten minutes and the patient can go back to his normal routine,” Dr Ashley said.


The system being imported for totally blade-free flap-free surgery is Alcon Wavelight Refractive Suite and it is one of the best in the world. In conventional methods a 270 degree cut (25 mm incision) is made in cornea whereas in this method the cut is only 10 degree which results in a 2 mm laser window.


Internationally, it is the latest technology for treating myopia, long sight, astigmatism etc. The cost of this treatment will be far lesser than the national and international rates. The lasik blade-free surgery at Mulamoottil Eye Hospital costs Rs.60,000 compared to Rs.85,000 in Bangalore and $2,200 in the US and £1,500 in the United Kingdom.


Earlier, Mulamoottil Eye hospital introduced a blood-less, stitch-less surgical method for cataract patients with a unique international technology using water jet and ultra sound energy. In this method, cataract surgery will be over within one hour and patient can continue his/her normal routine within 24 hours. This is being offered at half the rate charged in other cities of India and is suitable for even cardiac and diabetic patients.