The poster presentation on the eye-lens developed in Penza was marked with a special prize at the 44th Annual Congress of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
Associate Professor Sergey Kuznetsov, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Penza Institute for Advanced Medical Training, developed this R&D product. The new eye-lens concept presented by the researcher differs from traditional devices in the volume substitution and the ability to restore lens parameters to the initial pre-surgical values.
The technology aroused keen interest. It was recognised by the professional community. The interest is well founded on the fact that the design considerably enhances the safety of cataract surgery among patients who have associated retinal pathologies.
The ophthalmologists from Penza Regional Ophthalmology Hospital have been dealing with the new concept in cooperation with specialists from the Department of Ophthalmology for more than 8 years. During this period, more than 7 patents have been issued, but the work on improving the eye-lens model continues.
“To date, lens replacement operations are the most demanded in the field of ophthalmic surgery. Annually, we conduct more than 5,500 medical interventions, and approximately 10 – 15% of patients have associated retinal pathology. The implantation of the volume-substituting lens model allows increasing its effectiveness and safety, especially in cases of high myopia,” Rashid Galeev, Chief Medical Officer of Penza Regional Ophthalmology Hospital, explained.
Over 8 years, more than 450 people were given the opportunity to see the world in its vivid colours thanks to the achievement of Penza scientists.
Today there is confidence in the possibility and necessity of shifting from purely scientific work and observation to wide practical application as the long-term studies have indicated total safety and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Nowadays, the Congress that is held in Washington, DC, is the world’s most significant scientific event for specialists in the field of cataract surgery. The past-year results are summed up and the focus areas for further development in this area are defined here. In April this year, more than 7,000 Society delegates participated in the Congress. The total membership of the Society is more than 800 thousand ophthalmologists.
