The intra-ocular lens beyond cataract surgery

Cataract refers to any degree of opacification of the crystalline lens. It is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the world, whereas cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is perhaps the most effective surgical procedure existing.

This project focuses on the optimization of various surgical techniques related to modern cataract surgery or phaco-emulsification (phaco).    

Optimization of combined surgical techniques involving cataract surgery

a) Effective lens positioning (ELP) in combined phaco-vitrectomy

Nowadays, the objectives of cataract surgery are not only to restore good visual function but also to eliminate the need of wearing glasses. Refractive results after cataract surgery alone improved over the last years but eyes undergoing cataract surgery in combination with vitrectomy remain challenging. We will study the behavior of different types of IOL in patients undergoing vitrectomy combined with phaco using a new biometer that combines optical biometry with SWEPT Source OCT technology (Zeiss IOLMASTER 700).

b) Inflammation after vitrectomy (after phaco) versus phaco-vitrectomy

Postoperative inflammation can be quantified with a newly available instrument which measures inflammatory cells and proteins in the anterior chamber.

We will compare the amount of postoperative inflammation in eyes undergoing vitrectomy versus eyes undergoing cataract surgery combined with vitrectomy.

c) Effectiveness of and inflammation after Xen gelstent implantation as a solo procedure (after phaco) versus phaco-Xen

XEN gel stent (Allergan) implantation is a new minimally invasive glaucoma procedures designed to lower the intra-ocular pressure in non-stable glaucoma patients. Combining the procedure with cataract surgery might be beneficial for some patients for several reasons but it may also diminish its effectiveness. Inflammation measurements and long term intra-ocular pressure will be compared between Xen gelstent group versus phaco-Xen gelstent group.

Evaluation of the benefits of magnifying add-on IOLs for AMD patients

Age-related macular degeneration has a high prevalence in industrialized societies and is the most common cause of loss of reading vision among patients older than 55 years in developed countries. We propose to evaluate the visual performances of two new AMD add-on IOLs. These IOLs generate a magnification of the image seen by the patient.

Study of the impact of preservatives in postoperative eyedrops after cataract surgery

Most of the routinely used postoperative drops  contain a preservative in order to keep the fluid in the bottle sterile after opening. But preservatives are also potentially harmful to the eye. Pharmaceutical industry has therefore invested in the development of preservative-free eyedrops in the past decade. We will look for possible advantages of using preservative-free eyedrops after cataract surgery.