[ad_1]
World Sight Day 2023: New and advanced technologies are helping restore vision in several people. These technologies include surgical techniques to reverse vision loss, bionic eyes, artificial intelligence algorithms to detect eye conditions, sensor-equipped contact lenses, intraocular lenses, three-dimensional printing of eye appliances, virtual reality, and gene therapy and stem cell transplants.
Surgical techniques to reverse vision loss include laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), implantable collamer lens (ICL), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), and refractive lens exchange, among others. LASIK is a refractive surgical procedure which uses a laser to treat and correct vision problems caused by refractive errors, and is intended to reduce a person’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses.
ICL is an artificial lens made of plastic and a collagen called collamer that can be used to improve moderate-to-extreme nearsightedness or myopia in people with good eye health aged less than 50 years.
MUST READ | Science For Everyone: What We Smell Changes The Way We Perceive Different Colours
PRK is a laser eye surgery that can improve vision by changing the shape of the cornea so that vision problems caused by refractive error are treated.
SMILE is a refractive procedure used to treat astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea) and nearsightedness using lasers.
RLE is a surgical technique in which ultrasound is used to remove the natural eye lens and replace it with an intraocular lens, which is a tiny, artificial lens for the eye.
Bionic eyes
Bionic eyes are a new advancement in ophthalmology. Also known as a visual prosthesis, a bionic eye is an electrical implant that is surgically inserted into the eye and improves light sensitivity and creates a sense of vision for people with advanced vision loss. Inside bionic eyes, there are implantable hardware, external professors, and image processing software. The implant is placed in the eye, behind the retina. The function of the bionic eye is to stimulate nerve cells providing the perception of vision, according to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.
The bionic eyes produce electrical impulses which are ‘seen’ as spots of light by the recipient.
Therefore, bionic eyes allow for the transduction of light, or the change of light from the environment into impulses the brain can process, in people who have sustained severe damage to the retina, due to conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, a disease in which the cells found in the centre of the retina are damaged, or retinitis pigmentosa, a group of hereditary conditions in which the photosensitive rod and cone cells in the retina are destroyed.
MUST READ | Chemistry Nobel 2023: How The Laureates Created A Colourful World With Quantum Dots
Artificial intelligence in ophthalmology
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also playing a major role in ophthalmology because algorithms aid doctors in detecting conditions. Telemedicine is a boon to people living in remote areas because it allows them to access healthcare services at the tap of their fingers.
With the help of AI, doctors can detect eye conditions, scan and screen the eyes, and take images with high magnification.
“Artificial intelligence is breaking into the ophthalmology circles in that it can take photographs of the cornea, lens, retina, or even the optic nerve and artificial intelligence algorithms can give us the diagnosis and the severity of that particular disease. Diagnosis is possible in a single click,” Dr Gopal S Pillai, Head of Department, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, told ABP Live.
MUST READ | Physics Nobel 2023: How The Laureates Generated Short Light Pulses to Study Electron Movement
AI can help in the early detection of life-threatening eye conditions. Photographs of the eye can help diagnose other conditions such as diabetes, neurological problems and kidney problems, among others.
“A new article in Nature has shown that the eye pictures can help diagnose almost all the systemic problems, including diabetes, cardiovascular problems, neurological problems, kidney problems and liver problems. So all these problems can be diagnosed based on retinal photographs,” said Dr Pillai.
Sensor-equipped contact lenses
Now, diabetics can wear sensor-equipped innovative contact lenses to ensure timely monitoring of the glucose levels in their tears.
“Recent innovations in the field of eye care have revolutionised patient experience and treatment outcomes. Telemedicine and remote monitoring have emerged as powerful tools, allowing for virtual eye examinations and consultations, expanding access to care, particularly in underserved regions. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has found a significant role in diagnostics, with algorithms capable of analysing retinal images to detect conditions like diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, enabling early intervention. Additionally, innovative contact lenses equipped with sensors have been developed, capable of monitoring glucose levels in tears, providing a crucial advancement for diabetics,” Dr Ajay Sharma, Chief Medical Director, Eye Q, a chain of eye clinics, hospitals, and centres, told ABP Live.
MUST READ | World Mental Health Day 2023: Negative Effects Of Technology On Mental Health, And Digital Detox Strategies
Intraocular lenses
Another innovative technology in the field of eye care are intraocular lenses, which are tiny, artificial lenses used to replace the natural lens removed during cataract surgery. Intraocular Lenses can be made of silicone, acrylic, or other plastic compositions, and are coated with a special material to protect the eyes from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the Sun.
Monofocal intraocular lenses are the most common type of lenses used with cataract surgery. These have one focusing distance. Through multifocal intraocular lenses, one can obtain both near and distant focus at the same time.
MUST READ | World Mental Health Day: How Stress Affects Mental Health Of Working Professionals, And Ways To Cope
“Laser-assisted refractive surgery (spectacles removal surgery) and cataract surgery are among the latest innovations in ophthalmology. The use of eye injections for the treatment of retinal diseases has also revolutionised eye disease treatment. The new generation of intraocular lenses used in cataract treatment can provide clarity of vision for both near and distance, minimising the need for spectacles after cataract surgery,” Dr Chitralekha De, Senior Consultant, Dept of Ophthalmology, Amrita Hospital Faridabad, told ABP Live.
Dr De explained that most innovations in ophthalmology aim to enhance patient outcomes and improve the patient experience. “These technologies enhance the precision of all procedures, reduce surgical time, and minimise complications, ensuring better quality care for patients.”
While minimally invasive surgical techniques are safe, effective and reliable when used correctly, one must ensure that these procedures should complement and not replace in-person care for comprehensive eye health, according to Dr Sharma. “Patients should consult qualified healthcare professionals to ensure the proper use and interpretation of technology. Promising, ongoing research and vigilance in their application are necessary to maximise benefits and address potential limitations or risks.”
Three-dimensional printing of eye appliances
Three-dimensional printing (3D printing), which allows the printing of eye appliances such as glasses and orthoptic instruments, which are devices used to study or treat problems of the eye muscles. Lenses can also be 3D-printed, according to Dr Pillai.
“Even 3D printing of the cornea is being attempted. If we have 3D printing of the cornea, then we don’t have to wait for a person to die to get his cornea donated. One can have innumerable 3D-printed corneas which are transparent, which can be used in the management of those with a damaged cornea,” said Dr Pillai.
ALSO READ | Physics Nobel 2022: The Mysteries Of Quantum Entanglement, And Their Relevance For The Future
Virtual reality in eye care
Virtual reality is also a promising technology because it can be used to train vitreoretinal surgeons, who are surgeons specialised in the treatment of the vitreous (the fluid filling the eye), and the retina.
“Virtual reality used for training of surgery is an exciting field. One is asked to put on the virtual reality headset and they will be able to do cataract surgery or retinal surgery based on that particular virtual reality headset. Virtual reality for diagnosis includes using virtual reality to create an environment where one is searching for visual fields, which is a very important screening tool for diagnosis of glaucoma. Such equipment is very mobile and hence, can be used for population-based screening methodologies,” said Dr Pillai.
Gene therapy and stem cell transplant
Gene therapy can be used to treat Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, a rare mitochondrial disease in which there is sudden vision loss due to optic neuropathy, a condition in which the optic nerve becomes damaged. This typically occurs in young males.
Pluripotent stem cells can be used to replace limbal stem cells, or corneal epithelial stem cells. This technique is used in the treatment of severe dry eye disease, a condition in which the eyes do not make enough tears.
“Stem cells can also be used in age-related macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa,” said Dr Pillai.
Check out below Health Tools-
Calculate Your Body Mass Index ( BMI )
[ad_2]
Source link