Novel technology in microsurgery.

Several of the latest technical advances in microsurgical technology employing conventional engineering are briefly summarized. New scientific fields are introduced: injectable soft polymeric gels for cataract implants and vitreous substitution, controlled drug release and temporary tissue fixation via polymeric biodegradation, photodynamic therapy via intraoperative use of photosensitizers and surgical photoablation via short pulsed laser surgical instrumentation. Clinical examples covering the anterior and posterior segment of the eye are described. The potential uses of these technologies involve procedures for cataract, vitrectomy, strabismus, glaucoma and keratoplasty as well as therapeutics.