During cataract surgery, the cloudy (cataractous) natural lens of the eye is removed and a new artificial lens is placed in its position.
This artificial lens is called an intraocular lens (IOL).
Over time, and also after injuries or degenerative conditions of the eye, the intraocular lens can move out of its position.
At first it simply wobbles (pseudophacodonesis); later it becomes detached and leaves its position completely, which significantly reduces vision.
In addition, a displaced intraocular lens that moves into the vitreous cavity and comes into contact with the retina often carries a high risk of retinal detachment.
For these serious reasons, a displaced or dislocated intraocular lens should be treated as soon as possible.
Surgery is the only appropriate treatment. It consists either of reusing the same intraocular lens, which is fixed back in place with sutures, or of replacing it with a new intraocular lens.
Reusing the same lens has the advantage of a less invasive approach and a smaller surgical wound, but it can lead to several complications, such as partial rotation, renewed displacement or renewed detachment of the lens, as well as contact with the iris, which may cause chronic inflammation (iridocyclitis).
Also, because the intraocular lens is old, its material may break (the haptic, the small supporting arm of the lens) or its optic may become cloudy, reducing vision.
In all of the above cases, the patient needs a new operation to replace the intraocular lens with a new one.
Until recently, the intraocular lenses we used were those designed for routine cataract surgery.
In recent years, an intraocular lens has been designed and developed for cases where the support for the lens inside the eye is insufficient.
The Carlevale lens was designed to be placed in the posterior chamber, to be anchored in the scleral wall of the eye, to avoid contact with the iris and to have a very large optic, so that unwanted optical effects such as glare and halos are avoided.
Since we began implanting the Carlevale lens in March 2018, we had implanted more than 60 of these lenses by December 2019.
These cases are being studied, and the results will be submitted for publication in an international scientific journal.
Three of these lenses were implanted in young children aged 1 to 10 years.
These cases will also be published in an international scientific journal in early 2020.
Dr. Gotzaridis's experience with this intraocular lens has been presented at Greek and international conferences.