Cataract is a problem associated with the natural crystalline lens. It cannot be reversed but it can be treated. The natural crystalline lens is replaced with an artificial lens. Ophtec supplies all of the required materials and instruments for this surgical procedure.
- Artificial lenses
- Instruments
- Surgical instruments
 |
Cataract treatments also existed in the past. By applying a lot of pressure to the eyeball, the natural crystalline lens was removed from the capsule. This enabled light to freely reach the retina again. However, the image was not in focus. The patient could only see blurry images. The affected lens was subsequently surgically removed. The patient, however, had to wear strong cataract glasses in order to see a clear image. |
Artificial lenses
Ophtec manufactures artificial lenses (intra ocular lenses) in different powers and shapes, and in a variety of materials. All artificial lenses consist of an optical part and two tiny loops (haptics) allowing the small lens to be secured. The round optical part is made to suit a particular power and provides the desired correction. The tiny loops allow the lens to remain securely in place in the capsular bag, the small elastic sac surrounding the lens.
The haptics can be made of a different material from the optics in which case the lenses are referred to as three-piece or multipiece lenses. If the haptics and the optics are made of the same material, the lenses are referred to as one-piece lenses. In three-piece lenses, the haptics can have a different colour so they are more visible during implantation.
.jpg) |
One of the most recent Ophtec lenses is a lens with an orange optical part. “The Orange” The material of this lens contains a filter similar to the one in sunglasses. It protects the inside of the eye against harmful UVB rays and provides an image with softer colours. |
These lenses are made of different materials
- PMMA, a hard plastic,
- flexible silicone or
- flexible hydrophilic acrylate
Hydrophilic acrylate and silicone lenses are flexible. This has the advantage that the lens can be folded before being inserted into the eye through a tiny incision. PMMA lenses require a slightly larger incision.
 |
Ask your doctor: What type of lens will I get? A foldable lens? (advantage: small incision) A lens with a filter? (protection) What is the lens power? Will I have to purchase new glasses? Will I be able to read in bed without wearing my glasses? |
 |
Artificial lenses are manufactured with an ultra-modern production line. |
Instruments
Apart from artificial lenses, OPHTEC also manufactures implantation instruments. This includes:
- Forceps
- Injectors
 |
Using forceps, the small lens, which is folded in half, is removed from the special packaging and is subsequently implanted. |
Injector:
The artificial lens is loaded in the injector and the surgeon can subsequently insert the lens into the eye by tightening the injector or pressing it. Ophtec manufactures both reusable and single-use injectors (short video)
Surgical instruments
Before the artificial lens can be implanted, the natural crystalline lens has to be removed from the eye. This is done with a phaco probe. Ophtec is a dealer for phaco machines.
Up until the 1990s, the lens had to be surgically removed by making an incision of circa 12 mm in the cornea. The front of the capsule was detached and the entire lens nucleus was removed from the capsule.
Nowadays, the lens is pulverized with ultrasound and is subsequently sucked out of the capsule, a process known as phaco-emulsification. The advantage of this technique is that it only requires a minimal incision of ± 3 mm. The Phaco machine is used for this technique. Ophtec supplies phaco machines made by Optikon in Italy.
 |
Phaco-emulsification. The natural crystalline lens is pulverized and removed by suction. The small bag remains. |
 |
The phaco machine is computer-controlled. The surgeon can set the machine using a touch screen. |
