Study Suggests That Lenses Laced With Pain Meds Could One Day Replace Regular Eye Drops

Researchers are developing contact lenses that rely on nanotechnology that are designed for slow delivery of painkilling/anesthetic drugs directly to the cornea after laser eye surgery, eliminating the need for frequent post-LASIK and PRK numbing eye drops.

“This would represent a version of time-release which would reduce the number of drops that a patient would need,” says Robert F. Steinert, MD, an eye surgeon who is professor and chair of the department of ophthalmology at the University of California at Irvine, and a spokesman for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Webmd.com “I think it would add convenience, but it probably isn’t a game changer,” he says, noting that most patients are currently able to control their pain after PRK by using eye drops every couple of hours for the first three days or so, and they already have to wear bandage contact lenses while their eyes heal.

For more information on the latest ophthalmic equipment to help your practice expand contact us at laserlocators.com and let one of our industry experts help.

Cataract Surgery- A growing business

Over time, glasses and contacts may no longer work as well to help you see clearly. Contacting an ophthalmologist should always be the first step after noticing any vision changes or impairments. A thorough eye exam can determine the problem and what vision correction surgeries are recommended. Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed, safest and most successful surgeries in the United States that is covered by insurance.

Many people don’t even recognize the early signs of cataracts, they just know they do not see as good anymore.  Some patients begin having early cataract symptoms as early as 40. However, cataracts may also develop in those much younger than 40. Most insurance plans pay for cataract surgery procedures using standard lenses, subject to deductibles and co-pays.

Intraocular lens or Smart Lens such as ReSTOR® or CrystaLens®, replace the old lens in an eye. Ultrasound energy is used to remove cataracts. An instrument called a phaco probe is used to remove the natural lens before being replaced with an artificial lens. These premium lenses can almost eliminate the need to wear glasses, both for reading and distance vision.

 

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure and takes just minutes to perform. The advanced technology has grown leaps and bounds and is being performed more and more each year. Most people notice an immediate improvement in their vision following surgery. People resume normal activities the day after surgery. In fact with the new technologies, your dependence on glasses can be greatly reduced or nearly eliminated.