Laser eye surgery now offered free of charge at Almaty regional hospital
A multidisciplinary clinical hospital in Almaty has started performing laser eye surgeries. Some of them are available under compulsory health insurance (CHI), while the rest are paid.
Yulduz Salimov2 min read
A multidisciplinary clinical hospital in Almaty has begun performing laser eye surgeries. The hospital has installed two new laser devices at a cost of nearly 26 million tenge. The devices are used to treat glaucoma, retinal detachment and complications that arise after cataract removal.
According to the regional health department, patients have been undergoing laser eye surgeries at the facility since October. Before that, only two private clinics in the region offered such services.
Equipment and capabilities
The hospital purchased a YAG laser costing 9.87 million tenge and a diode laser costing 15.96 million tenge. Both devices were bought using the hospital's own income.
The new technology makes it possible to treat retinal tears and detachments, diabetic eye damage and certain forms of glaucoma. It is also used to quickly eliminate blurred vision that sometimes occurs after cataract removal, and previously the clinic had already treated various forms of cataract and glaucoma, performed complex surgeries and administered intravitreal injections. Laser treatment of eye diseases has now been added to the list of services.
Capacity and first results
According to the head of the hospital's ophthalmology department, Akylbek Bakytzhan, the laser centre can accept up to 20 patients a day. More than 30 operations have already been carried out there in one month.
According to the doctor, the operation lasts from five to 20 minutes, depending on the type of procedure. After it is completed, the patient may go home immediately.
"Depending on the type of procedure, the operation lasts from five to 20 minutes. After it is completed, the patient may go home immediately. The most common conditions treated are myopia, cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and degenerative retinal diseases," the doctor said.
Payment and CHI
It is reported that laser operations are carried out both on a paid basis and within the framework of compulsory social health insurance (CHI). Under CHI, cataract and glaucoma treatment, laser treatment of retinal diseases, and removal of pterygium — the growth of tissue on the surface of the eye — are available.
CHI services are provided for medical indications after an examination by a doctor and when a corresponding referral is available.
Source: kz.kursiv.media
