In years gone by, asking the patient about his symptoms and observing the surface of the eye and the eyelids was the only way to diagnose medical conditions. Today, asking the patient questions is still very important, but examining the eye with the aid of instruments has vastly increased the amount of information we can get from a patient and, as a result, our ability to understand the patient's disease and treat it. This is all possible thanks to today's Diagnostic Instruments.
There are two disciplines that have really helped us achieve this technological development: optics and information technology. As a result, images are obtained or measurements are taken and these are then processed by computer software. Other physical systems, such as ultrasound, are also useful for capturing images.
However, after reaching a diagnosis, it is then time to take action: this is possible thanks to today's Therapeutic Instruments.
Mechanical surgical systems, such as phacoemulsification in cataract surgery or vitrectomy in vitreoretinal surgery, have revolutionised eye surgery over the last 20 years.
The application of multiple types of laser has been the second most important major advance: retinal photocoagulation, YAG photodisruption of the iris or lens capsule or corneal photoablation for dioptre correction surgery.
Prostheses represent the third greatest surgical advance, especially intraocular lenses, vitreous substitutes or glaucoma valve implants.
