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LAUREL EYE SURGEON FIRST TO PERFORM NEW LASER CATARACT SURGERY

Louis D. “Skip” Nichamin, M.D., Medical Director of the Laurel Eye Clinic centered in Brookville, Pa. recently returned from Mexico City where he was the first U.S. eye surgeon to perform a revolutionary new surgical technique. Dr. Nichamin related that “this new Laser technology may be the most significant improvement that I have seen in the field of cataract and implant surgery during the past 10 – 15 years.”

The technique utilizes a “femto-second” Laser to perform incisions and facilitate removal of a patient’s cataract, which is a natural clouding that occurs within a person’s eye as they age. Cataract surgery is currently one of the most commonly performed operations in this country, and “nearly everyone will eventually require this sight restoring procedure”, Nichamin further added.

Dr. Nichamin explained, “This laser technology was initially developed to help perform LASIK surgery – a procedure that younger patients undergo in order to reduce their need for eye glasses and contact lenses. This same type of laser can now be used to help perform routine cataract surgery on middle aged and older patients. I believe that it will markedly improve the safety and efficacy of what is already an incredibly successful operation.”

Several companies are developing these advanced lasers with early clinical trials now beginning outside of the U.S. Dr. Nichamin was the first American surgeon to have the opportunity to perform this breakthrough procedure. “We operated on 8 patients in Mexico City at one of the largest charity hospitals in the country of Mexico. All of the procedures went perfectly and the patients were able to regain their sight”, he shared.

Dr. Nichamin is hopeful that clinical trials will begin soon here in the U.S. and the Laurel Eye Clinic, headquartered in Brookville, Pa. will be one of the first sites in the country to offer this revolutionary technology. For additional information on cataract surgery or the Laurel Eye Clinic, please call 800.494.2020.

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