A Deep Dive into the 2nd ELZA Refractive Surgery Course 2023

The 2nd ELZA Refractive Surgery Course was held last weekend (October 7 to October 8, 2023), at the Marriott Hotel, Zurich, Switzerland. This engaging and meticulously structured two-day refractive surgery course was given to provide a comprehensive introduction to refractive surgery, tailored for FEBOs not sub-specialized in this field and advanced residents. The podium was graced by an illustrious panel of international experts, whose contributions to terms and technologies like PRK, SMILE, and CXL, among others, have defined what modern refractive surgery is today.

The course commenced with Prof. Paolo Vinciguerra explaining the concepts of refraction and wavefront errors, setting a robust foundation for the discussions that followed. Dr. Sabine Kling educated the attendees on the intricacies of corneal biomechanics – essential knowledge for any refractive surgeon. The morning session was rounded off by Dr. Dr. Emilio Torres-Netto’s insights into Corneal Cross-Linking basics, shedding light on this pivotal procedure.

Post a brief coffee interlude, the attendees were navigated through the realms of corneal topography & tomography by Prof. J. Bradley Randleman, followed by an in-depth exploration of Surface Ablation techniques by Dr. Dr. Emilio Torres-Netto. The first day’s discourse was further enriched with PD Dr. Dr. François Majo demystifying LASIK, and Prof. Walter Sekundo providing a thorough understanding of lenticule extraction techniques.

The second day dawned with advanced discussions on Corneal Cross-Linking by Prof. Farhad Hafezi, followed by an in-depth look into therapeutic refractive laser surgery by Prof. Paolo Vinciguerra. As the day progressed, the attendees were introduced to specialized topics like contact lenses for irregular corneas by Léonard Kollros, and CAIRS & Femto-CAIRS by Prof. Shady Awwad.

The course culminated in a captivating session where complex cases were presented and dissected in a collective discussion, providing a practical vantage point to the theoretical knowledge disseminated over the two days.

This 2nd ELZA Refractive Surgery Course served as a fertile ground for nurturing the acumen of budding refractive surgeons, and fostering a culture of continual learning and discussions among the veterans. The success of this event not only reflects the burgeoning interest and advancements in refractive surgery but also underscores the importance of such educational congregations in driving the field forward.