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Best Poster Prize at Winter ESCRS 2020 is awarded to Emilio Torres-Netto

On September, 2019, Emilio Torres-Netto won the best poster prize (refractive section) at the ESCRS Annual meeting for his poster “Stromal bed smoothness after excimer laser surface ablation as a key element for the expression of inflammatory genes”. We are pleased to report that at the 2020 Winter ESCRS meeting in Marrakesh, Morocco, Dr. Torres-Netto won, once again, the same poster prize. Congratulations Dr. Torres-Netto!

The study he presented was a combination of the results of several years of basic research and data from a clinical study performed in Zurich, and it focused on improving how the laser interacts with the tissue with the objective of producing less inflammation during the procedure. This is important, as laser ablation of the corneal stroma – especially deep ablations, such as those required when treating high myopia and astigmatism – have the potential to cause significant corneal inflammation, and as part of the cornea’s wound healing response, corneal haze, which significantly slows the pace of patients’ visual recoveries.

Today, refractive surgeons use a drug called mitomycin C (MMC) to avoid developing haze, but this is a cytotoxic drug that intercalates with DNA and stops cells from proliferating, and the long-term consequences of using MMC are currently unknown.

Our researchers wanted to know whether using different laser ablation algorithms and optimised laser ablation profiles could alter the gene expression profiles of the ablated cornea, and they had a particular focus on genes that are involved with the inflammatory response.

What they found was that reductions in the inflammatory responses could be achieved by optimizing the laser ablation algorithms and energy settings, and that postoperative corneal smoothness appeared to be the key factor in regulating this immune response. To do so, they performed photorefractive keratectomy on rabbit corneas, using standard, high-fluence without optimization of corneal smoothness (OCS), low-fluence with OCS, and untreated controls, and examined the gene expression profiles 48 hours later using microarray gene expression analysis to identify genes that were expressed differently in treated and untreated corneas, followed by a technique called RT-PCR to validate those changes.

What Dr. Torres-Netto and his colleagues found that several pro-inflammatory genes were upregulated in the laser-treated corneas. Of note, they discovered that postoperative corneal smoothness was the key factor in inflammatory regulation – the smoother the cornea, the lower the inflammatory response, concluding that controlling stromal bed smoothness and thus, haze, may allow for deeper ablations, but also for the development of future ablation profiles that might broaden the indications of surface ablation to stromal depths currently only accessible with lamellar surgeries. What does this mean for patients? It is a simple message: surgeons should be able to correct more myopia using PRK that leaves the cornea smoother.

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Augeninstitut ELZA
4.8
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mike
mike
09:02 04 Jan 23
Overall as a 50 year old, who wanted to continue to avoid wearing glasses and/or contact lenses, my goal was 100%... achieved with ELZA and Dr. Hafezi. I greatly appreciated the overall approach by Dr. Hafezi and his friendly and competent team in reviewing my vision at the start and following a comprehensive eye exam- the explanations of my options. For me I chose PRK in one eye for a monovision solution to correct short sightedness which was becoming more prevalent in night driving and sports such as skiing and cycling. PRK heals slowly but the outcome is worth the wait- and the cost- you use your eyes every waking moment- and for me I cannot see any reason not to pursue better vision with the ELZA team! A great quality of life enhancement!read more
Zuzana Fecko
Zuzana Fecko
21:48 31 Oct 22
Thank you so much, Dr. Torres and prof. Hafezi. 26 years I was only “dreaming” about the eye surgery due to possible... complications. I was worried ..Thank you for encouraging me to make a decision and thank you for your professionalism, explanations and great work!I wish you all the best, lots of success and only happy patients!read more
Serena Fazio
Serena Fazio
11:15 06 Mar 22
I have been to the ELZA clinic to have surgery for my miopy, as my eyes were rejecting the contacts and I was tired of... wearing glasses. From the first preliminary visit, to the actual surgery and post-surgery care Dr. Hafezi and all his collaborators have been extremely professional, considerate and helpful. All the steps of the (very short!) surgery were thoroughly explained to me in order to be as calm as possible, together with the medication plan and precautions to be aware of so that my eyes could heal in the best way possible. By following their exact instructions, the healing process has been very successful and smooth, and after about one week I was able to see perfectly. I absolutely recommend this team and their expertise!read more
Robin A
Robin A
11:43 16 Feb 22
Top experts and professional team. Highly recommended
Thunder Shiviah
Thunder Shiviah
14:05 23 Nov 21
After some research on local options I decided to go with ELZA since it stood out as the best. The operation and the... post-operation recovery went extremely smooth (something I was worried about with PRK). Now my vision is much better than I had hoped and I have no side effects such as dry eye or night vision problems. Thank you!read more
Thomas S.
Thomas S.
09:37 07 Jul 21
My left eye had to be operated on because of a cataract. As I had an Artiflex lens implanted a few years ago, it had to... be removed first before a modern lens could be implanted to correct the cataract. Prof. Hafezi treated me in an very competent and friendly manner. I am very happy with the result.read more
Selma A. Rahim
Selma A. Rahim
19:45 02 Jul 21
Dr. Hafezi.. the KING OF CXL🤴
Gianluca Ricci
Gianluca Ricci
12:46 10 Apr 21
Great team and service!
rehaneyecare
rehaneyecare
05:36 08 Apr 21
Excellent surgeon
Steven H.A
Steven H.A
16:13 11 Jan 21
Prof. F. Hafezi s expertise is enormous and he has a very pleasant and calm nature which gives the patient... security.Thank youread more
Online Commande
Online Commande
09:19 05 Dec 20
Totally creepy, very arrogant Prof.He just want your money.It may explain, why this Prof. is not in the center of the... city of Zürich and why he has been thrown away from University of Geneva.read more
Elena Churilova
Elena Churilova
10:06 17 Nov 20
At the moment, 3 months have passed since the moment I made laser vision correction in this clinic. and I can say that... I am happy that I chose this particular clinic and Prof. F. Hafezi. The entire staff of the clinic is very friendly, treats patients with sympathy and patience if they are nervous before surgery (my big gratitude to Aida Alili for all support and patience). The doctor Hafezi and other doctors of the clinic are very professional and ready to explain to you as many times as you need. I can only recommend!read more
Michele Aggiato
Michele Aggiato
18:17 10 Jan 20
The day I had Prof Hafezi checking my keratoconus I knew I was finally in the right place after years of searching for... a good ophthalmologist. Prof Hafezi recommended a surgery due to a drastic degeneration of my cornea. The surgery was performed by himself with the assistance of Dr Rodriguez, one more collaborator of Prof Hafezi’s team who got my full trust.read more
Ashley Faulkes
Ashley Faulkes
15:30 21 Mar 16
Professor Hafezi and the team at the ELZA Institute have done an amazing job of creating a first class eye clinic, with... cutting edge technology and support. I went there for a dry eye issue and other issues with my prescription, and they were easily able to help me and put me on the road to better vision! High recommend them to anyone in the Zurich/Aargau area.read more
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Augeninstitut ELZA
4.8
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