{"id":11128,"date":"2026-06-23T13:30:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T13:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medipolis.be\/arts\/erik-l-j-g-mertens\/"},"modified":"2026-06-23T13:46:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T13:46:16","slug":"erik-l-j-g-mertens","status":"publish","type":"arts","link":"https:\/\/medipolis.be\/en\/arts\/erik-l-j-g-mertens\/","title":{"rendered":"Erik L.J.G. Mertens"},"featured_media":10757,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"class_list":["post-11128","arts","type-arts","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Erik L.J.G. Mertens - Oogcentrum Medipolis Wilrijk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/medipolis.be\/en\/arts\/erik-l-j-g-mertens\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Erik L.J.G. 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Mertens","subtitel_onderaan":"","specialisatie":"<ul>\r\n \t<li>Refractive Surgery<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Cataract Surgery<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery (FLACS)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Presbyopia Correction<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Phakic Intraocular Lenses (ICL)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>EVO Visian ICL<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Premium Intraocular Lenses<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Multifocal Intraocular Lenses<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Trifocal Intraocular Lenses<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Toric Intraocular Lenses<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Refractive Lens Exchange<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Astigmatism Correction<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Corneal Surgery<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Wavefront-Guided Laser Surgery<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Customized Vision Correction<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","specialisatie_kort":"<p class=\"p1\">International specialist in refractive surgery\r\nCataract surgery,\r\nPremium lens implantation<\/p>","afspraak_link":"https:\/\/rosa.be\/en\/hp\/erik-mertens\/","over":{"over_intro":"<p class=\"p1\">Dr. Erik Mertens is the Medical Director and Founder of Medipolis Eye Center in Antwerp and is recognized as one of Europe\u2019s most experienced refractive and cataract surgeons. Since graduating as a physician from the University of Antwerp in 1991, he has built an international reputation in ophthalmology, with particular expertise in refractive surgery, cataract surgery, premium intraocular lenses, phakic lenses, and presbyopia correction.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\">During his ophthalmology training, he specialized in advanced techniques including laser vision correction, wavefront-guided treatments, cataract surgery, corneal surgery, and phakic intraocular lens implantation. Innovation has remained at the center of his career. In 2012, he performed Belgium\u2019s first femtosecond laser cataract surgery. To date, he has completed more than 8,500 femtosecond laser-assisted cataract procedures (FLACS).<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\">In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Mertens is a highly sought-after international speaker, researcher, and educator. He has delivered more than 600 scientific presentations at national and international congresses and has published numerous scientific articles on refractive surgery, cataract surgery, and innovative lens technologies. He has also served as principal investigator in multiple international clinical trials evaluating new ophthalmic technologies.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p1\">Dr. Mertens is a Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO), a Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery and Visual Sciences (FWCRS), and obtained the prestigious FEBOS-CR certification in 2025, the European subspecialty qualification in cataract and refractive surgery. He has held leadership positions within several international ophthalmic organizations and served as President of AECOS Europe from 2019 to 2022.<\/p>\r\n<p class=\"p2\">As the founder of Medipolis Eye Center, Eqiris, and Signifeye, he remains committed to delivering innovative, high-quality, and patient-centered eye care. His expertise covers the full spectrum of modern vision correction, ranging from laser procedures to premium lens implantation and advanced cataract surgery.<\/p>","behandelingen_aandoeningen":[{"naam":"Cataracts"},{"naam":"Cataract Surgery"},{"naam":"Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery (FLACS)"},{"naam":"Refractive Surgery"},{"naam":"Refractive Lens Exchange"},{"naam":"Presbyopia"},{"naam":"Presbyopia Correction"},{"naam":"Myopia"},{"naam":"High Myopia"},{"naam":"Hyperopia"},{"naam":"Astigmatism"},{"naam":"LASIK"},{"naam":"Premium Lens Implants"},{"naam":"Multifocal Lenses"},{"naam":"Trifocal Lenses"},{"naam":"Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) Lenses"},{"naam":"Toric Lenses"},{"naam":"Phakic Intraocular Lenses"},{"naam":"EVO Visian ICL"},{"naam":"Corneal Ectasia"},{"naam":"Post-LASIK Vision Problems"},{"naam":"Customized Lens Implantation"}],"talen":[{"taal":"Dutch","niveau":"Native"},{"taal":"English","niveau":"Excellent"}],"locaties":[{"praktijk":"Oogcentrum Medipolis","straat_nummer":" Boomsesteenweg 223","gemeente":"Wilrijk","maps_link":"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/place\/Boomsesteenweg+223,+2610+Antwerpen\/@51.1726619,4.3856407,17z\/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x47c3f137052d9dd3:0xf5e15cec34fb570c!8m2!3d51.1726619!4d4.3882156!16s%2Fg%2F11f0z3dfj7?entry=ttu"}]},"carriere":{"tijdslijn":[{"tijdspanne":"1991","studie":"Doctor of Medicine","locatie":"University of Antwerp","extra_notitie":"Graduated"},{"tijdspanne":"1991 - 1995","studie":"Residency in Ophthalmology","locatie":"Belgium","extra_notitie":"Specialist training"},{"tijdspanne":"2009 - heden","studie":"Founder & Medical Director","locatie":"Medipolis Eye Center","extra_notitie":"Antwerp"},{"tijdspanne":"2015","studie":"Physician CEO Program","locatie":"Kellogg School of Management","extra_notitie":"Northwestern University"},{"tijdspanne":"2018 - heden","studie":"Founder","locatie":"Eqiris","extra_notitie":"Innovative eye care platform"},{"tijdspanne":"2019 - 2022","studie":"President","locatie":"AECOS Europe","extra_notitie":"International ophthalmic organization"},{"tijdspanne":"2023 - heden","studie":"Founder","locatie":"Signifeye","extra_notitie":"Ophthalmic innovation"},{"tijdspanne":"2025","studie":"FEBOS-CR Certification","locatie":"ESCRS","extra_notitie":"European subspecialty certification in cataract and refractive surgery"}],"diplomas_certificaten":[{"naam":"    Doctor of Medicine","onderschrift":"    University of Antwerp"},{"naam":"    Residency in Ophthalmology","onderschrift":""},{"naam":"FEBO","onderschrift":"Fellow European Board of Ophthalmology"},{"naam":"FWCRS","onderschrift":"Fellow World College of Refractive Surgery and Visual Sciences"},{"naam":"Physician CEO","onderschrift":"Kellogg School of Management"},{"naam":"FEBOS-CR","onderschrift":"European Board of Ophthalmology Subspecialty Cataract & Refractive Surgery"}],"lidmaatschappen":[{"functie":"Fellow","vereniging":"European Board of Ophthalmology","beschrijving":"European specialist organization"},{"functie":"Fellow","vereniging":"World College of Refractive Surgery and Visual Sciences","beschrijving":"International refractive surgery organization"},{"functie":"Member","vereniging":"European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)","beschrijving":"European society for cataract and refractive surgery"},{"functie":"Member","vereniging":"International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS)","beschrijving":"International refractive surgery society"},{"functie":"International Member","vereniging":"American Academy of Ophthalmology","beschrijving":"International professional association"},{"functie":"Co-Founder","vereniging":"AECOS","beschrijving":"American-European College of Ophthalmic Surgeons"},{"functie":"President Europe","vereniging":"AECOS Europe","beschrijving":"2019-2022"},{"functie":"Board Member","vereniging":"Refractive Surgery Alliance","beschrijving":"International refractive surgery collaboration"},{"functie":"Co-Chairman Europe Regional Advisory Council","vereniging":"WCRS","beschrijving":"World College of Refractive Surgery"},{"functie":"Editorial Board Member","vereniging":"Journal of Refractive Surgery","beschrijving":"Scientific journal"},{"functie":"Editorial Board Member","vereniging":"World Journal of Ophthalmology","beschrijving":"Scientific journal"},{"functie":"Chief Medical Editor","vereniging":"Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today","beschrijving":"International ophthalmic publication"}],"prijzen_grants":[{"titel":"ASCRS Film Festival Award","beschrijving":"Best Refractive Surgery Video (2004)"},{"titel":"Arthur Culler Memorial Lecturer","beschrijving":"Ohio State University (2005)"},{"titel":"Best Rapid Fire Presentation","beschrijving":"Ophthalmologica Belgica (2019)"},{"titel":"First Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery in Belgium","beschrijving":"2012"},{"titel":"First Commercially Available Visian EVO VIVA ICL Worldwide","beschrijving":"2020"},{"titel":"First SOLO Custom Posterior Chamber Phakic Lens Worldwide","beschrijving":"2025"},{"titel":"FEBO","beschrijving":"Fellow European Board of Ophthalmology"},{"titel":"FWCRS","beschrijving":"Fellow World College of Refractive Surgery and Visual Sciences"},{"titel":"FEBOS-CR","beschrijving":"European Subspecialty Certification in Cataract & Refractive Surgery"}]},"publicaties":{"peer-reviewed_publicaties":"15+","internationale_presentaties":"600+","boekhoofdstukken":"3","onderzoeksgebieden":{"labels":[{"naam":"Refractive Surgery"},{"naam":"Cataract Surgery"},{"naam":"Premium Intraocular Lenses"},{"naam":"Multifocal Intraocular Lenses"},{"naam":"Trifocal Intraocular Lenses"},{"naam":"Phakic Intraocular Lenses"},{"naam":"EVO Visian ICL"},{"naam":"Presbyopia Correction"},{"naam":"Femtosecond Surgery"},{"naam":"Corneal Surgery"},{"naam":"Astigmatism Correction"},{"naam":"Refractive Lens Exchange"},{"naam":"Ocular Diagnostics"},{"naam":"Clinical Research"},{"naam":"Ophthalmic Innovation"}],"intro":"<p class=\"p1\">Dr. Erik Mertens combines an extensive clinical practice with international research activities in refractive and cataract surgery. His research focuses on premium intraocular lenses, phakic lenses, presbyopia correction, femtosecond technology, innovative surgical techniques, and advanced diagnostic applications. He has served as principal investigator in multiple international clinical trials and has published extensively in leading scientific journals.<\/p>"},"publicaties_preview":[{"jaartal":"2008","beschrijving":"Custom-designed toric phakic intraocular lenses to correct high corneal astigmatism","verschenen_in":"Journal of Refractive Surgery"},{"jaartal":"2011","beschrijving":"Toric phakic implantable collamer lens for correction of astigmatism","verschenen_in":"Clinical Ophthalmology"},{"jaartal":"2017","beschrijving":"Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgeries reported to the European Registry","verschenen_in":"Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery"},{"jaartal":"2017","beschrijving":"Prospective multicenter trial of a small-aperture intraocular lens in cataract surgery","verschenen_in":"Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery"},{"jaartal":"2020","beschrijving":"Performance and safety of the EDOF implantable collamer lens","verschenen_in":"Clinical Ophthalmology"},{"jaartal":"2021","beschrijving":"Bilateral implantation of a new refractive multi-segmented multifocal IOL","verschenen_in":"Clinical Ophthalmology"},{"jaartal":"2023","beschrijving":"Postoperative vault prediction for phakic implantable collamer lens surgery","verschenen_in":"Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery"},{"jaartal":"2023","beschrijving":"Rotational Stability After Implantation of Two Different Phakic Toric IOLs","verschenen_in":"Journal of Refractive Surgery"},{"jaartal":"2024","beschrijving":"Immediate Sequential Bilateral Implantable Collamer Lens Surgery is Safe and Effective","verschenen_in":"Journal of Refractive Surgery"},{"jaartal":"2025","beschrijving":"Proportion of patients with Demodex blepharitis in ophthalmology clinics in Europe","verschenen_in":"Eye"},{"jaartal":"2025","beschrijving":"Evaluating the predictive accuracy of an AI-based tool for postoperative vault estimation","verschenen_in":"Clinical Ophthalmology"}]},"faq":null,"link_burgerlijke_aansprakelijkheid":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medipolis.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/arts\/11128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medipolis.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/arts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medipolis.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/arts"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medipolis.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10757"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medipolis.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}