Research project to develop temperature-adjustable retina laser launched

A research project developing new technologies for laser treatments for the retina has been launched by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research. Collaboration partners on the project include Carl Zeiss Meditec, the Medical Laser Center, Lübeck, the Institute of Biomedical Optics of the University of Lübeck and the Eye Clinic of the University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

The research project aims to develop a method for targeting precise doses of laser radiation to specific areas within the eye. The doses will be set automatically, to be as low as possible to reduce or eliminate side effects whilst being high enough to be optimally effective to conduct the treatment. The adjustable-temperature laser is intended to treat diseases such as diabetic retinopathy that affect a large portion of the retina.

The project was selected as the winner of the Ministry for Education and Research's "Innovation Competition for the Advancement of Medical Technology", and is anticipated to run for three years.