“Your Vision Our Future, Our Vision Your Future…”

Prof. I. Pallikaris

http://www.ivo.gr/en

A leader in the field of Eye Research The Institute of Vision & Optics (IVO) ispart of the University of Crete andfocuses on the fields of research,training, technology development andprovision of medical services.It employs ophthalmologists, doctors,opticians and optometrists, medicalphotographers, nursing personnel andalso scientists from the fields of physics,mathematics, chemistry, biomedicalengineering, computer systemtechnicians, laboratory chemists andadministrative staff.

The close cooperation of the aforementioned specialists under the guidance of the CenterDirector, Prof. I. Pallikaris, who is the inventor of “LASIK”, results in IVO being in theforefront of international innovation and Translational Research in the Vision field ofknowledge. IVO is one of the few Institutes worldwide that has the ability to research,design, construct and apply in preclinical and clinical level all of its innovative results.IVO operates on a non-profit making basis. The incomes of the institute are used to coverthe expenses of research, the upgrade of its clinical equipment, as well as the technicaland material infrastructure which is necessary for its activities.

ServicesIVO is constantly in the forefront of global developmentsin the field of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences. It offersthe most recently developed diagnostic and treatmentprocedures worldwide with the most modern equipment: Refraction Refractive Surgery, Corneal Design (topography, ultrasonic pachymetry,optical tomography, confocal microscopy, specularmicroscopy, aberrometry) Corneal Microsurgery Glaucoma (nerve fiber analysis, confocal microscopy,dynamic contour tonometry) Uveo-retinal diseases (fundus photography, macularperimetry, retinal optical coherence tomography retinal)

IdentityIn the Institute of Vision and Optics basic and clinicalresearch is conducted in the field of Ophthalmologyand Visual Sciences.The excellence of research conducted at the IVOarises from the close collaboration between medicaldoctors and researchers from the fields of physics,mathematics and biology. Cooperation provides theideal condition for rapid approach and thoroughinvestigation of any topic of interest within the scopeof the Institute.The following fields of interests can be mentionedindicatively: Microsurgery: development of new surgicaltechniques for the most effective treatment of eyediseasesMedical Imaging: Evaluation and use of innovativeimaging systems as well as development of newinstruments for the imaging of ophthalmic structureswith high resolution.

Application of Lasers in Ophthalmology: new approaches forrefractive surgery as well as photodynamic surgery for retinaldiseases. Bioengineering of the eye: development of new instrumentsand methods for measuring mechanical properties of the wall ofthe eye and understanding the mechanisms that connect themechanical properties of the eye in pathophysiology andevolution of frequent diseases such as age related maculardegeneration and glaucoma.Molecular, cellular and genetic basis of eye diseases:development of new methods to evaluate the mechanisms ofvision and pathologies at cellular and molecular level.Establishment of genetic databases for hereditary eye diseases. Optical metrology of the eye: evaluation of existing anddevelopment of new instruments and methods for measuringoptical aberrations.-Assessment, study and design of new drugs.One of the central departments and activities of IVO is also theInternational Eye Training Medical Center that supports theeducational activities of the Institute such as the teaching ofunder and postgraduate courses related to Optics and Vision, thetraining of residents and fellows and the organization ofeducational activities such as summer schools, conferences andspecialized training programs for physicians and paramedicalstaff.

Refractive surgerySee the world clearly from the moment you wake up! Refractive surgery refers to all the surgical techniques applied to millions of peopleworldwide to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.It contents all procedures that regulate the focus of the eye in order to let us seeclearly without the help of glasses or contact lenses. There are many differenttechniques, and each is chosen to provide the best outcome in each patientpersonally. Thanks to technologic developments and experience, each technique issafe and able to meet the needs of the patient.

The main goal of refractive surgery is tochange corneal curvature by sculpting thesurface using a laser beam. The outcome isthe light to focus on the retina for clearvision without glasses.For patients that are not able to receivelaser treatment, an intraocular lensimplantation is a possible option. Theseprocedures are intraocular instead of thesurface procedures and have similar results.

LASIK - Femtosecond LASIKConventional method (LASIK): In this method, the correction of myopia isnot conducted in the surface of the corneabut under a thin surface layer (flap) createdwith a special tool. Initially, the surgeonplaces the tool for the separation of the flapwhich remains attached with the cornea inits upper side, and after the flap lift, the laserbeam corrects the refractive error bychanging the curvature of the cornea.Afterwards, the surgeon places back the flapin its position. The duration of this procedureis a few minutes for each eye and it ispainless due to the use of anesthetic drops.This method was invented 20 years ago byprofessor Ioannis Pallikaris in the Universityof Crete and today is the most popularrefractive operation in the world.

Femtosecond LASIK: the most modern method ofrefractive correction exclusively with Femtosecondlaser use.Our Institute, uses the latest technology for thecreation of the surface petal (flap) for LASIK.The laser we use replaces the use of the mechanicalmicrokeratome for the creation of the flap. One of theadvantages of this laser is the precision of the incisionwith characteristics and dimensions that the surgeonselects, depending on the particular anatomy of eachpatients’ eye. Subsequently the surgeon uses a laserbeam to change the curvature of cornea as in theconventional LASIK and to correct the refractive errorof the eye. The rehabilitation of the visual acuity isimmediate, hence the patients can see clearly aftersurgery. The procedure lasts a few minutes for eacheye and it is conducted under local anesthesia.

Professor I. Pallikaris has beenawarded numerous times for hiscontribution in Ophthalmologyworldwide (eg. Barraquer prize)and holds the title of being the“Father of LASIK”.

Social ActivityOur Institute provides health services of highquality ranging from primary care tospecialized tertiary care facilities.The mobile ophthalmological unit of IVOthrough the monthly voluntary actions of theUniversity of the Mountains, frequently visitsremote areas of Crete and the Aegean islandsand offers free of charge completeophthalmological exams to all residents.In these areas there is no opportunity forroutine medical monitoring. This socialcontribution of our Institute has receivedwarm response from the local society, since inmany cases eye diseases have been earlydiagnosed and treated and seriouscomplications have been prevented.The mobile unit is also a very useful tool forconducting epidemiological trials.

For further details please contact us:Information and appointments: (0030) 2810 371800Fax: (0030) 2810 394653E-mail: veic@med.uoc.grhttp://www.ivo.gr/en