Omega Ophthalmics company is working on a special implantable lens. The Gemini Refractive Capsule can be used to replace the lens in the human eye in patients with cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. In addition, a lens can be implanted that allows wearers to use Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) technologies without having to use additional aids such as VR glasses.
With the Gemini Refractive Capsule, Omega Ophthalmics aims to reduce or eliminate several risks in eye surgery. For example, in lens implantation, it is usually not possible to replace the implanted lens at a later stage. This is because after surgery, capsular fibrosis occurs, in which the implant capsule hardens. Therefore, if the lens causes problems at a later stage of the patient's life, for example, the lens cannot be replaced again.
Implanted lens replacement
Omega Ophthalmics is offering a solution to this problem with the Gemini Refractive Capsule. The implant keeps the capsule in the eye open and allows a lens to be placed in this implant. This allows the lens to be changed at a later stage if necessary, without capsular fibrosis preventing this.
In addition, Omega Ophthalmics points out that traditional implants use two small 'arms', which allows the lens to be accurately positioned in the X and Y directions in the eye. However, the exact position of the lens in the Z direction is more difficult to determine, which can result in minimal deviations in the final position of the lens during implantation. These deviations can lead to disturbances in the patient's vision. Omega Ophthalmics proposes to solve this with the Gemini Refractive Capsule by applying a new design where both the position of the lens can be accurately determined in the X, Y and Z directions.
Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality
However, the company is not only focusing on ophthalmology, but combining this with high-tech technology. According to Omega Ophthalmics, the Gemini Refractive Capsule is also suitable for integrating virtual reality, augmented reality or mixed reality technologies into the human body. This is possible by inserting a special lens into the Gemini Refractive Capsule.
AR and VR are technologies that have been around for some time, while MR is still in development. In VR, a virtual world is created that a user can enter and interact with. A characteristic of VR is that users' vision is completely closed off from the real world and they feel they are completely in this virtual world. To make use of VR, VR glasses are available, including the Samsung Gear and the Oculus Rift.
Augmented Reality
Unlike VR, AR does not so much replace the real world with a virtual variant, but rather places a virtual layer on top of the real world. This makes it possible, for example, to provide all kinds of information about things a user sees. Think of data about a monument or building a user is looking at, but also instructions on how to assemble a certain device or product. A feature of AR is that virtual elements cannot interact with the physical environment they are in. They are therefore intended only to provide additional information.
AR is available through various applications. For instance, there are applications available for smartphones, where the user points their smartphone at something and the AR application presents a virtual layer. However, Google also offers the Glass Enterprise Edition, a pair of smart glasses for business users that also offers this capability.
Mixed Reality
In MR, VR is combined with AR. This allows, for example, realistic 3D images to appear in the real world. Unlike AR, virtual elements in MR can interact with objects in and elements of the physical world. Also, these virtual elements can interact with each other. This therefore integrates the physical world with the physical world to a large extent. Microsoft, among others, is working on this technology in the form of the HoloLens.
At the moment, the Gemini Refractive Capsule is still in the future, as the implant is still under development. It is not known when Omega Ophthalmics expects to market the Gemini Refractive Capsule.
By: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Source: Omega Ophthalmics
