asked the Minister for Health the number of people who benefited from the laser equipment for the treatment of eyes in the Eastern Health Board for the past 12 months; if, as a consequence of this information, he will indicate the numbers which would be likely to benefit in the Southern Health Board from such equipment; and the amount of time saved by the use of this equipment as against the time required under conventional methods.
Written Answers. - New Eye Treatment Technology.
93.
There are two types of laser used in ophthalmology — the argon laser and the yag laser. Argon lasers are available in most major eye units and there are no waiting lists of significance for treatment by that machine as far as I am aware. I must presume, therefore, that the Deputy is referring to the yag laser, which was installed in a Dublin hospital in recent months. The potential benefit of this new technology will be assessed by my Department in considering whether it should be installed elsewhere.