Prof. Farhad Hafezi, Medical Director of the ELZA Institute, was an invited speaker at the International meeting of the Jordan Ophthalmological Society (JOS) 2023 earlier this month. This high-profile gathering, which took place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Amman, Jordan, brought together several leading figures in ophthalmology to engage in discourse and debate.
In this year’s JOS 2023 meeting, Prof. Farhad Hafezi delivered a series of presentations in the fields of laser refractive surgery and corneal cross-linking (CXL).
Best Practice in Refractive Surgery: The Case for PRK
In the Best Practice in Refractive Surgery session, Prof. Hafezi presented on the topic “Why I Prefer PRK”, sharing valuable insights into the history, benefits, and potential of Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), underscoring its relevance in the development of individualized treatment plans.
Advancements in Keratoconus and Corneal Cross-Linking: The Future is Now
In the Advancements in Keratoconus and Corneal Cross-Linking session, Prof. Hafezi delivered two talks: “Epi-on CXL, the Time is Now” and “PACE: Customized CXL”. He detailed the latest advancements in epi-on CXL, in terms of the advantages of retaining the corneal epithelium, and how several advancements in CXL techniques have enabled the greatest disadvantage (lower stiffening effectiveness) to be overcome. Epi-on CXL also featured in his presentation on PACE, or PTK-Assisted Customized Epi-On CXL. PACE is a second-generation customized cross-linking technique developed by ELZA. Unlike standard CXL, which applies the same amount of irradiation across the entire cornea, PACE employs a more targeted approach. It applies a greater amount of irradiation over the area of the cornea where the keratoconus cone is present, and less irradiation over the rest of the cornea. This selective application of irradiation creates a gradient that effectively flattens the steepest area of the keratoconus. Prof. Hafezi described to the audience that the beneficial flattening effects of PACE are significant and can be observed as early as a few weeks post-procedure, rather than the 6 months to a year typically seen with standard CXL.
JOS 2023 CXL Wetlab: Practical Training for the Future
In addition, Prof. Hafezi led the CXL Wetlab course at the JOS 2023 International Meeting. This educational course focused on performing epi-on CXL without iontophoresis, and provided hands-on training to the assembled delegates, helping them master the techniques of performing this type of CXL.
Prof. Hafezi would like to express his gratitude towards Dr. Khaled Ayesh and the Scientific Committee for the invitation to present at this distinguished congress.
