Help Us Support Closer-to-home Eye Surgery

Current Laser at Lions Vision Care Centre Aging, Prone to Breakdowns

Some eye surgeries just cannot wait.

Retinal tears are prime examples. Thankfully, they aren’t as painful as they sound. But they can cause blurry vision and/or “eye floaters” among other symptoms. Ophthalmologists at the Lions Vision Care Centre at our Hospital can easily repair them with laser surgery.

However, what makes the procedure urgent is that if left untreated, a retinal tear can lead to a full retinal detachment within days. That operation isn’t so easy…

“Full retinal detachment requires major surgery,” said Dr. Vishaal Bhambhwani, an ophthalmologist at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Recovery times also change from days in most cases to weeks with a retinal detachment. And, it’s not a procedure that can be done in Thunder Bay, forcing patients to travel for care. “Patients who need this kind of surgery have to be referred to surgeons in Toronto or Winnipeg.”

If that’s not enough bad news, patients cannot fly home, either.

“This operation often involves injecting a special gas into the eyeball, which prevents one from flying home after surgery due to pressure changes with high altitudes,” Dr. Bhambhwani said.

Dr. Bhambhwani and all the ophthalmologists at the Lions Vision Care Centre do everything they can to avoid this from happening, including coming in after hours to perform emergency surgeries when needed.

“We want to ensure patients get the treatment they need now, so that they don’t need to travel for major surgery later,” he said.

But it all hinges on one particular laser, which is also used for treating diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions, and other eye conditions. The team treats approximately 20 patients per week plus emergency cases. When the laser works, it works beautifully. But that laser is now over 10 years old and more prone to breakdowns. If, for example, its delicate fibre optics crack, it could take days or weeks to repair. And that puts more people at risk of having to travel out of our region for vision care.

That’s why the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation wants to raise $45,000 this summer to help replace this vital and aging laser. The new replacement will be much more reliable and less likely to strand patients in emergency situations.

The new laser would be more than a simple replacement, Dr. Bhambhwani said.

“Technology has improved quite a bit in the last 10 years,” he said. “The imaging is now so much sharper. That means we’ll have a clearer view of what we’re doing.”

Plus, most of the delicate fibre optics required in the older laser are replaced by a wireless system. The new equipment is also smaller with voice and touch control as well as built-in patient safety features.

Another crucial feature of the unit is that it’s portable.

“If an inpatient at our hospital needs laser surgery, we can bring the laser to them. In some cases, that’s much more convenient – and safer – than bringing the patient to us,” Dr. Bhambhwani said.

You can help bring this vital piece of equipment to Thunder Bay so fewer people have to travel for eye surgery! Make your donation in person at the Donation Centre in the Main Lobby of our Hospital or call 807-345-4673 right now. You can also donate online at healthsciencesfoundation.ca/vision.