Presby Corp. This method is based on a new theory that presbyopia occurs because the lens continues to grow throughout life, crowding the ciliary muscles. This crowding is thought to loosen the fibers connecting the ciliary muscles to the lens, making focusing at near distances more difficult. After the segments are implanted, the sclera is expanded, remedying the crowding of the muscles and allowing the fibers to tighten again and the ciliary muscles to work better, says Dr. Robert Marmer, an Atlanta ophthalmologist and clinical professor of surgery at Morehouse School of Medicine who is familiar with the approach. Clinical trials are expected to begin in October, and SRP could be available by 2003. There is some data to support both theories,'' says Stulting of Emory, who advises his colleagues to keep an open mind.
Cataract removal is already safe and efficient.
But it soon could become even better. Currently, most cataract surgeries are done with a process called phacoemulsification. After the surgeon makes a small incision in the eye, he uses an ultrasonic, oscillating probe, which fragments the hard center of the cloudy lens and also suctions the cataract fragments from the eye. In clinical studies is the Photon laser cataract removal system. While many people think lasers are used now for cataract removal, they are not.