A recent collaboration between Mile High Ophthalmics LLC and the University of Colorado announced the launch of a new device that aims to be more safe and effective than current available options in cataract surgery.
Although cataracts can be treated with techniques such as bright lighting, glasses or other methods, patients usually require surgery. During surgery, which is used to replace damaged eye lens, the surgeons need to eliminate one capsule around the lens, in order to replace with an artificial lens. However, this technique may lead to complications such as infections, ultimately blinding the patient.
A team of researchers from the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine at the University of Colorado, led by Malik Kahook designed a new ring-shaped device that perfectly rounds and opens the capsule during the surgery, thus helping surgeons to effective fit the artificial lens.
In a recent press release, Dr. Kahook, Slater Family Chair in Ophthalmology at the CU School of Medicine said, “There have been many attempts over the past few decades to make the opening of the anterior capsule safer and more reproducible by cataract surgeons of all skill sets and training levels,”. “Past devices have included very expensive lasers or devices that failed to provide the needed outcomes. The VERUS device is cost effective and can be seamlessly incorporated into standard cataract surgery without adding extensive time or a long learning curve. The resulting opening of the capsule when using the VERUS device is round and centered as desired by the surgeon, and promises to enhance outcomes and improve safety.”
James Dennewill, CEO of Mile High Ophthalmics, announced that the device is going to be launched next month.
“We are excited to be working with the team at the University of Colorado to give surgeons and patients access to some of the great ideas they’ve been working on in their labs,” he said in the press release. “We are launching our first device, the VERUS Capsulorhexis Device, in February 2015 with the hopes of improving the visual outcomes of cataract surgery patients by optimizing the capsulotomy part of the procedure and pricing the device in such a way that all patients and surgeons have access to it.”
