 The aim of this project carried out in cooperation with eye specialists from the Universities of Tübingen and Mainz, is to be able to perform cataract operations with as few complications as possible. During this routine procedure, the clouded lens in an affected eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. The initial stage of the operation involves the opening of the lens capsule by four to five millimeters. If this incision is made with a needle, unintentional tears can arise. The problems caused by this technique have been confirmed by tests on human tissue. Currently the effects of the needle incision on the eye capsule are being theoretically investigated with the help of a finite element model of the eye.
Additionally, a variety of medications (so-called 'Viscoelastics') are being tested on an artificial eye. These should protect the eye from the ultrasound used during the operation. |
