New laser treatment for watery eyes

Chennai, Aug 31 (UNI) Treatment for watery eyes had become easier with the introduction of the latest, scar-free German technology called Laser DCR (Dacryo Cysto Rhinostomy), a leading opthalmologist said here.

About 1.8 per cent of the Indian population suffered from watering of the eyes, caused by 'blockage of the drainage system of tears'.

It was a relatively common condition, particularly among the elderly. It was more prevalent in rural areas, Prems' Eye Clinic Chairman K Premraj told a press conference yesterday.

The traditional method of treatment was surgical removal of the block, leaving behind a visible scar on the side of the nose.

Besides being a difficult and time-consuming procedure, there could be pain and bleeding and slower recovery, especially in older patients, with the use of anaesthesia, he said.

Dr Premraj said laser DCR was a state-of-the-art minimally invasive procedure used to correct blockages of the natural drainage system of the eye. It offered several advantages over the conventional surgical approach especially for the elderly as it was a quick, safe and relatively painless procedure, he added.

The success rate of the surgery, which cost about Rs 8,000, was 99 per cent, he said.

UNI AKN SRS VP0440