Eye Surgery Laser Update
Published Monday, July 7, 2025
Dr. Vishaal Bhambhwani with the new eye surgery laser, made possible by a generous donation to the Lions Vision Care Centre.
More Capacity, More Options for Better Patient Care
When Dr. Vishaal Bhambhwani sent out an appeal for a new eye surgery laser for the Lions Vision Care Centre last year, Bev and John Dolcetti stepped up. The couple generously donated the full amount to replace and upgrade the aging laser at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Bev said at the time that she didn't want other people to have to go through the same ordeal she did. When she was younger, Bev needed to travel to Winnipeg, Duluth, and finally Wisconsin for eye surgery. She wanted to make sure patients in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario can get the care they need, right here at home.
“I know firsthand what it's like to travel here, there, and everywhere for eye surgery,” Bev said. “Dr. Bhambwani explained exactly how this new laser would give patients the eye care they need closer to home. We are happy he's able to get this new equipment.”
“It's helped us build capacity,” Dr. Bhambhwani said. “The older laser is still working for the moment, so we're actually using both lasers.”
That's good news. The Lions Vision Care Centre welcomes two new eye surgeons this summer: Dr. Ajay Kamath and Dr. Alex Pisig, so the more equipment the better.
Plus, the new laser is portable, which means surgeons can take it with them to perform surgeries offsite. For example, one surgeon could be treating a patient in the Lions Vision Care Centre at the Hospital while another takes the portable unit elsewhere for emergency surgery including the Emergency Department or even the surgeon's office. That means faster, safer care for all patients.
“Having both lasers gives us more options for treating patients,” Dr. Bhambhwani said. “The original laser is aging and at some point it will stop working. But for the moment, it's very convenient to use both.”
The new laser offers other features as well. Unlike the older model, it is wireless which makes it easier to use and less likely to break its delicate fibre optics. The new equipment is also smaller with voice and touch control as well as built-in patient safety features.
Dr. Bhambwani said that Dr. Pisig in particular is excited to use the new laser – and it opens up the possibility of bringing new procedures to Thunder Bay that aren't possible with the old laser. The team at the Lions Vision Care Centre plans to develop more closer-to-home services for patients.
These improvements to patient care wouldn't have been possible without you. While Bev and John Dolcetti's extraordinary gift funded the cost of the laser, the additional funds raised thanks to donors like you went to support the broader Ophthalmology Fund. Your generosity not only brings cutting-edge tools to Thunder Bay, it also helps in part to recruit new surgeons. World-class doctors love working in cities with strong community support that help provide world-class equipment – and Thunder Bay has shown tremendous support of the Lions Vision Care Centre over the years. If you would like to help fund future equipment, you can donate online at healthsciencesfoundation.ca/donate or by calling the Health Sciences Foundation's Donation Centre at 807-345-4673.
Article by Graham Strong