Renowned eye surgeon Dr. Santanu Mitra has agreed to support the efforts of IFGL Bio Ceramics to popularize hydroxyapatite based orbital implants. The implants, marketed here under the trade name CeraEye, are manufactured according to know-how of Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute.
Dr. Mitra is presently attached with Disha Eye Hospitals, Barrackpore (West Bengal). He is the recipient of Best Free Paper (Oculoplasty) Award for the year 2004 and the prestigious Col. Rangachari Award for the year 2007 of the All India Opthalmological Society.
Hydroxyapatite based orbital implants from corals were successfully introduced in the US in 1989 and are now used widely in developed countries. The implants not only fill up the orbital volume lost after enucleation or evisceration but also provide adequate motility for better cosmesis and rehabilitation of the anophthalmic patient. They are far superior to the ones made of materials like metal, glass and polymer.
Clinical trials of the indigenously made implants, conducted by CGCRI are found highly satisfactory and have clearances for commercialization of its ethical committee on bio ceramic implants.