**3. Eye surgery on literature**

detection of eye biomarkers at the cellular level, bio-sensors, and new diagnostic tests that are

This chapter provides a review of new and emerging technologies, which are already working in global research centers. The term "emerging technologies" refers to the implementation of new innovative products designed to improve the quality of life. Some acronyms used are: **NBIC**: Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information technology, and Cognitive science.

New technologies, such as nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and genetics among others, have emerged not only to create alternatives to health service, but also to provide alternatives for new ophthalmologists in their surgical practice. There are increasing reviews in literature about the relationship with developments such as new surgical techniques not only for refractive surgery but also for simulation prior to cataract. Retina implants incorporating electronic devices, stem cells, and new inserts for corneal implants are some of the many devices made from biopolymers and electronics that have the promise to be an alternative for

Otherwise, as a response to training ophthalmologists on these new techniques, sophisticated

Eye surgery has always been characterized by innovation, the introduction of new surgical techniques, and also the inclusion of technology. But being so specialized, this information is not readily disclosed to the targeted patients who directly require these new developments in order to restore their vision or improve the quality of their life. Otherwise, medical students and residents in ophthalmology require an overview of these new developments to plan the training for these new techniques and apply it to patients that have these requirements according to the new protocols, inclusion criteria, and the available technology in the operating room in order to plan new investments for clinical practice and training. Knowing where you are in making this progress, communication and the creation of partnerships between experts

This chapter intends to update eye surgeons in new biopolymers and innovations for ocular prostheses and visual implants for visual care. In the previous years, there are a lot of inno‐ vations such us visual implants, artificial silicon retinas, suprachoroidal transretinal stimula‐ tion (STS), and artificial corneas among others, which are changing nowadays due to the new advancements in technology and also due to the development of new biomaterials, new microelectrodes, and several types of neural devices around the world. Now, real "artificial eyes" are not only the craniofacial, maxillofacial, ocular, and orbital prostheses that replaces an absent eye after an enucleation but they are also new materials such as cryolite glass, gel

considered to improve the quality of life of patients after surgery.

**GNR**: Genetics, Nanotechnology, and Robotics.

**BANG**: Bits, Atoms, Neurons, and Genes.

visually impaired patients.

4 Advances in Eye Surgery

**2. Problem statement**

**GRIN**: Genetic, Robotic, Information, and Nanotechnology.

simulation devices have been developed around the world [1].

are priorities to be able to respond to the patients' needs.

Global announcements regarding new developments in eye surgery across all fields require a systemic search for there are many institutions and authors contributing to this knowledge. To perform this review, keywords were used: Eye surgery and refractive surgery, eye surgery and visual implants, eye surgery and retinal implants, glaucoma eye surgery, and cataract eye surgery. The resources used were Medline and Scopus criteria for the inclusion of surgical techniques (1990-2014). In this review, it has been noted that many institutions have increased ophthalmology publications in these areas and in recent years, advancements in electronic chips to the retina and visual and retinal implants are growing considerably.

Many eye care research institutes supported by the government and universities from all continents have been working for decades on innovations for eye surgery across all fields (cataract, refractive surgery, stromal rings, and retinal implants), which has been progressing in different countries as evidenced by scientific literature.

Scientific publications related to refractive surgery around the world and the institutes that have most published reports on refractive surgery can be seen in the chart below. Scopus analysis can be useful creating partnerships between researchers in the same field. See Figure 1 [3].

**Figure 1.** Publications of refractive surgery from Ophthalmology Institutes and Universities around the World from the last decades. Copyright 2015. Elsevier B.V. All right reserved. Scopus is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V.

Literature reviews on retinal implants, which previously seemed like science fiction, has become a research field not only in ophthalmology and medicine, but also in electronic engineering and nanotechnology. Therefore, these researches should not only make journals specialize in medicine, but the revisions should also include nanotechnology and engineering to make it more accurate. In Figure 2, reports regarding retinal implants that were made by principal countries have been proven evident.

Institutions and universities are making major breakthroughs in the field of retinal implants for more than two decades. In fact, some already have several patents, prototypes, and New Technologies in Eye Surgery — A Challenge for Clinical, Therapeutic, and Eye Surgeons http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/61072 7

To perform this review, keywords were used: Eye surgery and refractive surgery, eye surgery and visual implants, eye surgery and retinal implants, glaucoma eye surgery, and cataract eye surgery. The resources used were Medline and Scopus criteria for the inclusion of surgical techniques (1990-2014). In this review, it has been noted that many institutions have increased ophthalmology publications in these areas and in recent years, advancements in electronic

Many eye care research institutes supported by the government and universities from all continents have been working for decades on innovations for eye surgery across all fields (cataract, refractive surgery, stromal rings, and retinal implants), which has been progressing

Scientific publications related to refractive surgery around the world and the institutes that have most published reports on refractive surgery can be seen in the chart below. Scopus analysis can be useful creating partnerships between researchers in the same field. See

**Figure 1.** Publications of refractive surgery from Ophthalmology Institutes and Universities around the World from the last decades. Copyright 2015. Elsevier B.V. All right reserved. Scopus is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V.

Literature reviews on retinal implants, which previously seemed like science fiction, has become a research field not only in ophthalmology and medicine, but also in electronic engineering and nanotechnology. Therefore, these researches should not only make journals specialize in medicine, but the revisions should also include nanotechnology and engineering to make it more accurate. In Figure 2, reports regarding retinal implants that were made by

Institutions and universities are making major breakthroughs in the field of retinal implants for more than two decades. In fact, some already have several patents, prototypes, and

chips to the retina and visual and retinal implants are growing considerably.

in different countries as evidenced by scientific literature.

principal countries have been proven evident.

Figure 1 [3].

6 Advances in Eye Surgery

**Figure 2.** Publications in retinal implants in different countries. Copyright 2015. Elsevier B.V. All right reserved. Sco‐ pus is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V.

experimental models in animals. There is already evidence in humans, which provides a promising future for people with retinitis pigmentosa, which a few years ago would have been considered impossible. See Figure 3 [3].

**Figure 3.** Top Publications in retinal implants for institutes and Universities around the World. Copyright 2015. Elsevi‐ er B.V. All right reserved. Scopus is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V.
