LUTH acquires ‘first’ laser machine

Determined to improve the quality of care to its patients as the foremost tertiary health institution in Lagos state, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital relentlessly (LUTH) recently achieved another first as its first public Ophthalmology Center in Nigeria, the Guinness Eye Center, has acquired a posterior segment Laser machine.

Posterior segment laser surgery dates back to the 1960s, when German ophthalmologist Gerd Meyer- Schwickerath observed the effects of a solar eclipse on the retina and began looking for a way to use light to purposely scar retinal tissue.

Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode, said the Hospital spearheaded the drive to acquire the Laser machine with support from Guinness Nigeria PLC and Vision 2020 of the United Kingdom (UK) who provided co-sponsorships to fund the over N17 million project.

Bode said the laser machine will revolutionize eye care in the country by making Laser procedures affordable for the common man, especially because hitherto, the only two such machines were located in private institutions in Lagos.

Bode told The Guardian after the official commissioning of the machine: “Before now, ophthalmic Laser procedures could only be accessed by the very wealthy in society. The advent of this Laser equipment in LUTH will reverse the trend whereby people travel as far as India and Australia for Laser eye treatment as it can be done comfortably in our country and at far cheaper costs. Our hospital has some of the most qualified, best trained and dedicated healthcare personnel in the country.

“More and more patients with diabetes, hypertension, sickle cell disease to mention a few have been going blind from treatable complications of their diseases. With cases of diabetes mellitus on the rise, its eye complications are becoming more prevalent.”