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Monday, September 26, 2005
Cebu Doctors’ bares new eye technology
THE Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital (CDUH) has introduced the latest technology that will help in diagnosing and monitoring certain eye conditions.
Stratus-Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is useful for conditions like glaucoma and retinal problems. It uses high-resolution ultrasound to give a very accurate picture of structures inside the eye that normally would not be seen by other means of examination.
The Stratus-OCT machine was first developed by the Michigan Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. It was introduced in Manila two years ago. CDUH is the first to bring it here in Cebu, bringing its eyecare level at par with centers in Manila and abroad.
CDUH recently hosted a symposium with Dr. Norman Aquino and Dr. Arnold Salud talking about “Enhancing the Retina and Glaucoma Diagnosis with OCT.”
According to Aquino, whose expertise is glaucoma, the machine can be very helpful in the early detection of glaucoma and close monitoring of progression. “It is also very convenient, safe, sensitive, accurate and reproducible,” he said.
Most cases of glaucoma, a blinding disease of the eye that is usually associated with increased eye pressure, have no symptoms. The disease is genetically inherited and risk factors include presence of diabetes, prolonged use of steroids, and trauma to the eye.
Aquino also advised those with risk factors to have regular eye check-ups especially when they reach 40 years old, as this disease is known to occur among the elderly.
He stressed that glaucoma cannot be prevented, so the key is early detection and once detected it has to be managed appropriately.
On the other hand, Salud, whose expertise is retinal diseases, said these diseases, mostly diabetic retinopathy and age-related, can be prevented and diagnosed. “With the application of OCT to retinal diseases, these can be diagnosed and treated better,” he said.
The latest addition of the Stratus-OCT machine upholds the CDUH Centre for Sight’s goal, which is to improve the quality of its patients’ lives through better vision. The Centre for Sight is a comprehensive eye care provider using state-of-the-art ophthalmology practice. (Emily Jade B. Valero)
(September 26, 2005 issue)
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