Intricate Operations: Inside Eyes


The intricate world of eye surgery is explored in this fascinating workshop where you will become familiar with ‘EyeSi’, the virtual reality simulator used by eye surgeons in training.
Professor Andy McNaught, Consultant Ophthalmologist, will show how EyeSi is used by surgeons to operate on parts of the eye measuring fractions of a millimetre in size. It is used at Cheltenham General Hospital to train surgeons from across the south and is one of just a handful available in the UK.
The simulator has contributed to eye operations becoming one of the most common surgical procedures and during extraordinary everyday, members of the public will be able to try their hand with the cutting-edge equipment, which makes a huge difference to so many peoples’ lives.
The hospital performs about 3,500 cataract operations a year and in the past this used to be a big operation with patients admitted for a few days and having general anaesthetic. Now however it only takes 15 minutes and is done when the patient is awake with just a small incision.
Professor McNaught will also talk of his involvement at the forefront of new technology and working in collaboration with the military to examine patient’s retinas.
For tickets and more information contact the Science Festival Box Office Tel: 0844 880 8094 or visit the Science Festival website