Eye scanner will detect disease early

THE EYES HAVE IT: Dr Keith Maslin and nurse Sally Caldwell test out the new optical coherence tomography machine donated to the hospital by two private benefactors. PHOTO/ALISA YONG

Wairarapa patients with eye conditions will no longer have to make costly trips to Wellington thanks to two mystery benefactors who have donated a machine that helps diagnose and treat eye diseases.

The two private benefactors, who wish to remain anonymous, have donated a new 3D optical coherence tomography (OCT) machine worth about $70,000 to Wairarapa Hospital.

The machine takes a photograph of the patient's eye, allowing doctors to more accurately diagnose and treat eye problems.

Up until now, patients who needed to have their eyes checked by an OCT machine have had to travel to Wellington.

Eye surgeon Dr Keith Maslin said the hospital had been working towards getting an OCT machine for more than two years.

"It allows us to treat these patients here in Masterton, without having to make trips to Wellington."

It was often difficult to make those trips, he said. Travelling to Wellington could be difficult for older patients.

Patients with conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetes made up a big proportion of those expected to benefit from the new machine.

The OCT is an important diagnostic tool, allowing clinicians to make better decisions, Dr Maslin said. "It's huge, because you can make accurate clinical decisions. The machine gives me the picture of what's going on. Without this machine people can lose their sight because they are not being treated right."