Argentine Ophthalmologists Win Top Award for Innovative Eye Surgery Solution

An Argentine team of ophthalmologists has achieved international recognition for developing a novel solution to one of the most challenging eye surgeries. Their work, presented at the annual congress of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) in Montreal, Canada, earned them the prestigious Rhett Buckler Award, often referred to as the "Oscar of the retina."

The award-winning project integrates two key innovations from the Charles Ophthalmic Center: a refined surgical technique for treating vitreoretinal proliferation, a severe complication following retinal detachment, and the GentleJect device. This device is designed to improve the safety and precision of applying dyes used to identify and remove extremely thin membranes within the eye during surgery.

Martín Charles, co-director and head of the retina team at the Charles Ophthalmic Center, explained that the innovation stemmed from a recurring issue in the operating room. Traditional methods for applying dyes, essential for visualizing fine membranes in surgeries like epiretinal membrane or macular hole repair, involve standard syringes. Charles highlighted the risk associated with these syringes, known as the "jet effect," where sudden pressure can expel the dye forcefully, potentially damaging the retina or causing irreversible harm.

To mitigate this risk, Charles designed the GentleJect. This device replaces conventional syringes with a system featuring a flexible silicone reservoir, a one-way valve, and a luer lock connection. This design ensures a smoother, more controlled, and progressive administration of the dye, significantly reducing the chance of damaging the delicate retinal tissue. Charles opted not to profit from the device, working with U.S. company MedOne Surgical to ensure it remains accessible and affordable globally. The GentleJect is already in use at leading centers in the United States and Europe.