On September 21, 2025, specialists from the ELZA Institute presented at OPT-X.25, the professional conference for optometry and optics in Baden, Switzerland. This annual meeting brings together optometrists, opticians, and researchers from across the country to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and highlight advances in clinical practice. ELZA’s contributions focused on the comprehensive management of keratoconus—ranging from precise diagnostics and contact lens strategies to cutting-edge surgical innovations
The Optometist’s Perspective
Léonard Kollros MSc Optom, SBAO outlined the optometric workflow when evaluating a new patient with keratoconus. His presentation emphasized the importance of:
- Collecting prior records such as historical topographies or refractions.
- Ensuring a “contact lens break” before consultation to avoid corneal warpage.
- Performing a full set of diagnostic measurements, including tomography (Pentacam, MS-39 AS-OCT), corneal biomechanics (Corvis), aberrometry, endothelial cell counts, and macular OCT.
- Careful refraction and assessment of best-corrected visual acuity with contact lenses.
By presenting this systematic approach, Kollros demonstrated how optometrists can build a solid foundation for both diagnosis and long-term follow-up. His talk highlighted the central role of refraction and contact lenses in optimizing vision and maintaining quality of life for keratoconus patients.
The Surgical Perspective
Dr. Emilio A. Torres-Netto, MD, PhD, FEBO, FWCRS built on Kollros’ session with insights into the therapeutic and surgical armamentarium for keratoconus. While corneal cross-linking (CXL) remains the gold standard for halting disease progression, Dr. Torres-Netto emphasized that many patients also require vision-enhancing interventions.
He discussed several techniques available at ELZA:
- CAIRS (Corneal Allogenic Intrastromal Ring Segments) and ICRS to regularize corneal shape.
- ELZA-PACE, a customized epithelial-on CXL procedure, to induce targeted cone flattening.
- Wavefront-guided PRK (WF-PRK) to address irregular astigmatism and improve optical quality.
Together, these options allow for individualized strategies that stabilize the disease while also enhancing functional vision.
A Comprehensive Approach
By combining optometric care with advanced surgical strategies, ELZA demonstrated its integrated model for keratoconus management at OPT-X.25. The session underscored how optometrists and ophthalmologists can collaborate to deliver optimal outcomes—from precise diagnostics and contact lens fitting to surgical innovation.
ELZA’s contributions at OPT-X.25 reflects our core mission: advancing keratoconus care through clinical excellence, scientific research, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
