Cataract surgery in Keratoconus

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No routine surgery

To perform cataract surgery in eyes with keratoconus (or in any eye) surgeons need to measure the anatomical characteristics of the eye in a process called optical biometry. This enables the surgeons to calculate how much your eye focuses light onto the retina (your “optical power”) and what contribution your lens makes to the focusing. This enables the surgeon to select the intraocular lens (IOL) with the right “power” for your eye.

Cataract surgery in keratoconus is not routine surgery

When talking about cataract surgery in keratoconus, it is worth remembering that around 70% of the focusing of light onto the retina is performed by the cornea, with the rest by the lens. As patients with keratoconus have highly irregular corneas, this means that both planning the surgery and choosing the best intraocular lens can be highly challenging. 

Better biometry: the key to success when performing cataract surgery in keratoconus
Better biometry: the key to success when performing cataract surgery in keratoconus

Hitting the Target

At ELZA, we use advanced ocular biometry equipment to perform comprehensive exams that measure the anatomy and optical power of all patients’ corneas. This benefits everyone, not just those with keratoconus.

Everyone undergoes series of examinations with advanced corneal (and retinal) diagnostic equipment, including corneal topography, corneal wavefront analysis, OCT imaging and ocular aberrometry. These are specialised instruments that regular cataract surgeons do not have – but are particularly important to perform in eyes with irregular corneas.

What makes us unique are the following points:

  • We are the only eye clinic in Switzerland equipped with a combination of some of the most advanced and sophisticated devices to measure corneal biomechanics (CorVis ST), corneal wavefront (Sirius, CSO Italia), ocular aberrometry (Peramis, CSO Italia) and a high-resolution anterior segment OCT, combined with placido-based technology (MS-39, CSO Italia)
  • Having all these devices is like having a Formula 1 car: it cannot show its full potential without an experienced driver. And this is where our experience in the field of keratoconus and cornea comes really shows its value. This experience is essential because the data from the measurements leaves us with a great range of possible lens powers that could be used. We then have to decide, based on our experience, which lens is the right choice.
Anterior-Chamber-Distance-Measurements
Accurate measurements of your ocular anatomy are required to calculate the correct IOL power for your eye

During the procedure

Keratoconic corneas tend to be thinner than normal, but unless they are extremely thin, this should not make a difference to the technical difficulty of the procedure. At ELZA, we can offer the option of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, where the laser can make super-accurate incisions in the cornea, perform a capsulotomy, and pre-fragment the lens to make the entire procedure as safe and as “light touch” as possible. This approach should be considered in eyes with very thin keratoconus corneas that require cataract surgery.

A femtosecond laser has made a capsulotomy
A femtosecond laser has been used to make a capsulotomy

What to expect after surgery

The intraocular lens will replace your natural lens. So the best this lens can do is to remove the additional blurriness that began with the onset of your cataract.

The new lens can be compared to a fresh pair of glasses. It makes vision better, but neither glasses nor an intraocular lens can correct for the optical errors that have their origins in the irregular keratoconus cornea. Cataract surgery treats the lens, not the cornea. In other words: we return your vision back to the level it was before your cataract started to develop.

At 6 months after your cataract surgery, we can perform additional corneal laser surgery. This approaches the problems of an irregular cornea and can therefore further improve your quality of vision.

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  • Awards, Podium Power, Uncategorized
ELZA’s Nan-Ji Lu wins VSY Ophthalmology Rising Star 2023 Award
The VSY Biotechnology Ophthalmology Star Awards (OSA) for 2023 were announced at the Satellite Symposium during the ESCRS conference in Vienna. The awards recognize contributions to the field of ophthalmology, specifically research and clinical studies that have advanced understanding and treatment of eye diseases. This year, Dr. Nan-ji Lu from the ELZA Institute in Zurich received the third-place award for her clinical study titled “A New Keratoconus Staging System Based on OCT.” Dr. Lu’s research focuses on a new system for staging keratoconus, a condition affecting the cornea, and has implications for its diagnosis and treatment.
  • by Prof. Farhad Hafezi
  • September 15, 2023
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  • Emilio Torres, Farhad Hafezi, Lamis Baydoun, Nanji Lu, Nikki Hafezi, Podium Power
ELZA at ESCRS 2023: Vienna
Join us at #ESCRS2023 in Vienna! ELZA’s top surgeons & researchers will present the latest in ophthalmic treatments. Dive deep into innovation with us! 🌟👁️ #ELZA at #ESCRS
  • by Prof. Farhad Hafezi
  • August 28, 2023
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Prof. Farhad Hafezi speaks to Swiss Optometrists
  • Emilio Torres, Farhad Hafezi, Podium Power, Uncategorized
ELZA Educational Event for Swiss Optometrists – June 2023
The ELZA Institute hosted a highly anticipated educational event and Apéro Riche for Swiss optometrists on June 5, 2023, setting the stage for an enlightening evening of learning and networking.
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  • June 6, 2023
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Augeninstitut ELZA
Augeninstitut ELZA
4.8
Based on 109 reviews
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mike
mike
09:02 04 Jan 23
Overall as a 50 year old, who wanted to continue to avoid wearing glasses and/or contact lenses, my goal was 100%... achieved with ELZA and Dr. Hafezi. I greatly appreciated the overall approach by Dr. Hafezi and his friendly and competent team in reviewing my vision at the start and following a comprehensive eye exam- the explanations of my options. For me I chose PRK in one eye for a monovision solution to correct short sightedness which was becoming more prevalent in night driving and sports such as skiing and cycling. PRK heals slowly but the outcome is worth the wait- and the cost- you use your eyes every waking moment- and for me I cannot see any reason not to pursue better vision with the ELZA team! A great quality of life enhancement!read more
Zuzana Fecko
Zuzana Fecko
21:48 31 Oct 22
Thank you so much, Dr. Torres and prof. Hafezi. 26 years I was only “dreaming” about the eye surgery due to possible... complications. I was worried ..Thank you for encouraging me to make a decision and thank you for your professionalism, explanations and great work!I wish you all the best, lots of success and only happy patients!read more
Serena Fazio
Serena Fazio
11:15 06 Mar 22
I have been to the ELZA clinic to have surgery for my miopy, as my eyes were rejecting the contacts and I was tired of... wearing glasses. From the first preliminary visit, to the actual surgery and post-surgery care Dr. Hafezi and all his collaborators have been extremely professional, considerate and helpful. All the steps of the (very short!) surgery were thoroughly explained to me in order to be as calm as possible, together with the medication plan and precautions to be aware of so that my eyes could heal in the best way possible. By following their exact instructions, the healing process has been very successful and smooth, and after about one week I was able to see perfectly. I absolutely recommend this team and their expertise!read more
Robin A
Robin A
11:43 16 Feb 22
Top experts and professional team. Highly recommended
Thunder Shiviah
Thunder Shiviah
14:05 23 Nov 21
After some research on local options I decided to go with ELZA since it stood out as the best. The operation and the... post-operation recovery went extremely smooth (something I was worried about with PRK). Now my vision is much better than I had hoped and I have no side effects such as dry eye or night vision problems. Thank you!read more
Thomas S.
Thomas S.
09:37 07 Jul 21
My left eye had to be operated on because of a cataract. As I had an Artiflex lens implanted a few years ago, it had to... be removed first before a modern lens could be implanted to correct the cataract. Prof. Hafezi treated me in an very competent and friendly manner. I am very happy with the result.read more
Selma A. Rahim
Selma A. Rahim
19:45 02 Jul 21
Dr. Hafezi.. the KING OF CXL🤴
Gianluca Ricci
Gianluca Ricci
12:46 10 Apr 21
Great team and service!
rehaneyecare
rehaneyecare
05:36 08 Apr 21
Excellent surgeon
Steven H.A
Steven H.A
16:13 11 Jan 21
Prof. F. Hafezi s expertise is enormous and he has a very pleasant and calm nature which gives the patient... security.Thank youread more
Online Commande
Online Commande
09:19 05 Dec 20
Totally creepy, very arrogant Prof.He just want your money.It may explain, why this Prof. is not in the center of the... city of Zürich and why he has been thrown away from University of Geneva.read more
Elena Churilova
Elena Churilova
10:06 17 Nov 20
At the moment, 3 months have passed since the moment I made laser vision correction in this clinic. and I can say that... I am happy that I chose this particular clinic and Prof. F. Hafezi. The entire staff of the clinic is very friendly, treats patients with sympathy and patience if they are nervous before surgery (my big gratitude to Aida Alili for all support and patience). The doctor Hafezi and other doctors of the clinic are very professional and ready to explain to you as many times as you need. I can only recommend!read more
Michele Aggiato
Michele Aggiato
18:17 10 Jan 20
The day I had Prof Hafezi checking my keratoconus I knew I was finally in the right place after years of searching for... a good ophthalmologist. Prof Hafezi recommended a surgery due to a drastic degeneration of my cornea. The surgery was performed by himself with the assistance of Dr Rodriguez, one more collaborator of Prof Hafezi’s team who got my full trust.read more
Ashley Faulkes
Ashley Faulkes
15:30 21 Mar 16
Professor Hafezi and the team at the ELZA Institute have done an amazing job of creating a first class eye clinic, with... cutting edge technology and support. I went there for a dry eye issue and other issues with my prescription, and they were easily able to help me and put me on the road to better vision! High recommend them to anyone in the Zurich/Aargau area.read more
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Augeninstitut ELZA
Augeninstitut ELZA
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