1. What has been the main focus of your research?
Along with Jan Worst, MD, from Groningen, Netherlands, I helped to pioneer the development of the Artisan phakic IOL, and later the Artiflex phakic IOL (both manufactured by Ophtec BV, Groningen, Netherlands).

During the 1980s, there were two techniques to correct myopia: PRK and phakic IOLs. The PRK boom gained more popularity and made it rather difficult for us to continue our work on phakic IOLs. We persevered, however, and proved the critics wrong in the end.

It has been very satisfying for me to see, years later, the US Food and Drug Administration approve the Artisan, as well as recently witness the first Artiflex lens implantation in the United States.

In a few weeks, we will participate in an European multicenter study to examine the toric Artiflex lens.

2. What technology or advance do you think will most benefit refractive surgery in the future?
I am a firm believer that customized phakic IOLs—rather than corneal refractive surgery—will be the future. The technology is reversible, which is the most important factor for its success.

There are too many complications with LASIK, some which are irreversible. As far as the Artisan/Artiflex lens is concerned, we can remove the lens and thus, bring the vision back to its original status. This is a major advantage of phakic IOLs compared with corneal refractive surgery.


3. What is the proudest accomplishment in your career?
Nowadays, we have all the tools and support that we lacked when we began working with the Artisan in the 1980s. At that time, we stood alone while some surgeons said the lens was responsible for corneal decompensation, iris atrophy, iris pigmentation loss, the formation of cataracts, and glaucoma. We have now learned that a good indication and an adequate surgery can lead to excellent results with the Artisan/Artiflex lens.

Additionally, I am proud of how much my practice has grown over the past 30 years. We started from scratch—now, we collaborate with surgeons for posterior segment surgery and strabismus, among others. We have also moved into a new building and are involved in several projects.

It is important to note that I would not be here if it were not for Professor Worst's influence on my career.

4. What has most changed with the procedure and technology since you began implanting the Artisan lens in 1987?
When I first started working with phakic IOLs, I wanted to figure out why they were good for moderate and high myopia, but not low myopia. The technology has developed to the point that we can now regularly implant the Artiflex for low-to-high myopia. Our current range for implantation spans from -2.00 D to -14.50 D, and up to -23.00 D with the classic PMMA Artisan lens.

Although the implantation technique is relatively similar to when we started, the introduction of the flexible Artisan lens model greatly reduced the incision size. That was a big step forward for the procedure, because this made it possible to implant the lens without inducing astigmatism.

5. How did you come to be an ophthalmologist?
When I was 18 years old, I dreamed of becoming a physical education teacher. This, however, was already a very popular profession. I discussed it with my father and decided to pursue medicine instead. I was fascinated by photography, which brought along my interest in ophthalmology.