OCR Text |
Show Conventioneers discuss new methods Important new advances in photocoagulation treatment of ocular diseases were prime topics for discussion at meetings meet-ings of the Utah Oto-Ophthal. mology Society held at Southern South-ern Utah State College July 31 and August L The talks were especially timely to professional people and hospital administrators in Cedar City because of the particular interest of the Valley Val-ley View Medical Center in obtaining a xenon-arc or laser photocoagulator for the treatment treat-ment of eye diseases. Investigation Investi-gation has already been launched to determine which instrument would be most, useful for this area. According to Dr. Thomas Pettit, professor of ophthalmology, ophthal-mology, UCLA Medical Center, Cent-er, the photocoagulation method has become increasingly increas-ingly effective in the treatment treat-ment of conditions affecting the eye. He explained that the high powered light sources sourc-es of the xenon-arc and laser type produce firm adhesions between the vascular area behind the retina and the retina. ret-ina. The treatment also obliterates oblit-erates diseased blood vessels or blood filled spaces derived from such vessels, destroys tumor tissue, and produces openings in abnormal membrane mem-brane structures including the pupil. During the past 18 months an argon-laser has been developed. de-veloped. This produces a green coherent light beam that is readily absorbed by blood vessels. At the present time there are 150 light coag-ulators coag-ulators and a handful of lasers las-ers located in medical centers throughout the United States. Most of these instruments have been donated by individuals, indi-viduals, foundations or groups of interested persons. Because of the relatively high cost of the specialized photocoagulation equipment, the Valley View Center does not have funds within the forseeable future to acquire such an instrument. Possible financing sources are being sought so that residents of southern Utah will have access ac-cess to the latest in treatment devices for serious eye diseases, dis-eases, and save them the time and cost to travel to other cities for this treatment. |