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The specialist in laser and lens correction
Good things develop on their own if you give them some time. Dr. Mark Tomalla was also patient and determined. Following his specialist training at the Evangelisches Klinikum Niederrhein (EVKLN), he spent ten years as a senior physician. With Tomalla's expertise, the department of ophthalmology – and eventually developed into an independent clinic. From 2005 until the end of 2023, the native of Essen was the chief physician of the Ophthalmology Clinic and head of the Clinic for Refractive and Ophthalmic Surgery, which is a specialist department of the EVKLN. From 2024, he will continue his work with the same focus in Duisburg.
"My specialty is the anterior segment of the eye," explains Tomalla, whose expertise is based on over 50,000 surgical procedures on the eye. The anterior segment includes the cornea, lens, eyelids and Iris. On the one hand, Tomalla's heart beats for the treatment of typical eye diseases such as cataract and glaucoma, corneal diseases or injuries to the eye. At the same time, he has been dedicated to refractive surgery for over 22 years. However, the other surgical procedures in the entire field of ophthalmology are not neglected.
The eye - a wonder of nature and a masterpiece of optics
The innovation in optometry: The trifocal lens - clarity for near, far, and intermediate distances
Modern devices for comprehensive eye care
The fusion of modernity and art: An inviting atmosphere that was considered from the beginning in the corridors and waiting areas.
Lovers of all kinds of technology
His personal passion, however, is for modern medical devices. Here, he is one of the pioneers in his field: As early as 2005, he was one of the first to use the femtosecond laser in the context of a corneal transplant - successfully. In the treatment of cataracts (cataract) with the femtosecond laser, he is also one of the most skilled surgeons, having performed over 10,000 procedures. He even wrote a textbook on the use of the femtosecond laser in ophthalmology and regularly performs "live surgeries" where colleagues can watch over his shoulder.
The rapidly and permanently developing technology in diagnostics and therapy constantly excites the doctor anew. "With better and better technology, we can diagnose the location of a disease more precisely and operate more precisely," explains Tomalla, who also evaluates many of his data in scientific studies. Currently, the friendly doctor is particularly pleased with his new surgical microscope: Until now, surgical microscopes served the surgeon by providing a precise and large view of the surgical field. The new generation of microscopes is additionally equipped with several computers and can therefore make measurement data from pre-examinations directly usable for the surgeon.
For example, in the use of a new lens: The correct position of the lens is measured in the pre-examination - the new microscope can superimpose this measurement data during surgery and thus show the surgeon absolutely precisely how to position the lens. "The results absolutely convince us and have also proven themselves in retinal surgery," says Tomalla.
Incidentally, Tomalla was fascinated by all kinds of technology even before he worked as a doctor. But while he used to love tinkering with cars, today he prefers to visually stage technical objects: In 2022, he successfully completed his photography studies at the OfG as a certified photo designer. In the field of photography alone, he has received over 70 international awards in 2023. He often compares details and aesthetics in photography to the precision of microsurgery.
Despite his love for technology, Tomalla is someone who also masters medicine with his hands: When it comes down to it, he can perform any surgery without a computer. "The computer only does what the surgeon has 'explained' to it beforehand," says the ophthalmologist. "It doesn't help with complications, and the doctor must know what to do next." He places great value on this dexterity—the work without high-tech, using only one's senses and hands—especially when mentoring aspiring ophthalmologists.
Due to increasingly advanced technology, we can diagnose the location of a disease more precisely and operate with greater precision. A blessing for the patients.
DR. MARK TOMALLA
Tomalla sees working with high-tech equipment even in operative practices as an absolute advantage. The ophthalmologist is
often the first to discover a previously unknown organic disorder such as diabetes, rheumatism, or high blood pressure. In such
a case, Tomalla can quickly introduce the patient to his colleagues in neurology, cardiology, or internal
medicine. This comprehensive top-level care has long been known. Tomalla: "Patients come to us from everywhere, including many complicated cases."
Medicine. This comprehensive top-level care has long been known. Tomalla: "Patients come to us from everywhere, including many complicated cases."
Any patient who wishes to see clearly in the future without glasses or contact lenses will find the optimal treatment with us.
DR. MARK TOMALLA
The Future of Ophthalmology
Such a man can of course give an assessment of the direction in which ophthalmology will develop. On the one hand, it is the already mentioned progress in diagnostics, explains the doctor. But the advances in lens surgery are also trend-setting: "Artificial lenses are gaining more and more in importance compared to lasering the cornea," explains Tomalla and adds: "Modern multifocal artificial lenses, for example, make it possible to see near, far and also in the intermediate range and are very well tolerated. They are increasingly becoming a sensible alternative to laser surgery on the cornea."
Every year he and his team advise numerous patients. Of course, not all of them need surgery, but Tomalla is grateful for every seeker of advice, because education is important to him: "Today you can successfully treat so many eye problems. The treatment options, but also the options for preventing eye diseases, need to become much better known."
