We are global key opinion leaders in ophthalmology. Members of our team have been elected to the global “PowerList100” of ophthalmology a record-breaking 9 times. This concentration of PowerList mentions is unique for an institute of our size on a national and international level
Chief Medical Officer
In the 2024 Expertscape rankings, Prof. Farhad Hafezi, MD, PhD, FARVO, is celebrated as the world’s foremost expert – the world’s #1 in CXL.
The ELZA Institute is recognized worldwide as a leading center in keratoconus research and treatment development. Prof. Farhad Hafezi, MD, PhD, FARVO, Chief Scientific Officer at ELZA, has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications on keratoconus and related ectatic diseases, spanning clinical studies, pathophysiological insights, and therapeutic innovations. His extensive body of work has shaped the scientific understanding of keratoconus, advancing diagnostic and treatment paradigms.
Among his contributions is co-authorship of a comprehensive review, recently published in Nature Reviews Disease Primers, which provides an authoritative overview of keratoconus, highlighting its complex etiology, clinical features, and modern management strategies.
In 2025, Prof. Hafezi took a pivotal role as one of the three main organizers of the 2nd Global Consensus on Keratoconus and Ectatic Diseases. This landmark consensus effort involved collaboration with over a dozen international ophthalmology societies, including the Pan-American Cornea Society, Cornea Society, Middle East Africa Council of Ophthalmology, International Keratoconus Society, and others.
The consensus provides updated definitions, classification systems, and treatment guidelines for keratoconus and related ectatic disorders – and sets the clinical standard for ophthalmologists treating corneal ectasias.
Beyond research publications and consensus leadership, Prof. Hafezi is the head of the Scientific Committee of the annual Keratoconus and Cross-Linking Experts’ Meeting. This premier international forum convenes top specialists to discuss cutting-edge research, share clinical experiences, and drive innovation in corneal cross-linking and keratoconus management.
The meeting strengthens collaboration among keratoconus and CXL researchers and clinicians globally and helps to accelerate the translation of scientific advances into improved patient outcomes.
Members of the ELZA Institute have played a central role in the development and dissemination of corneal cross-linking technology in ophthalmology. Our Medical Director, Prof. Farhad Hafezi MD, PhD, FARVO, was part of the original team that introduced CXL and has contributed over 110 scientific publications on the subject. His work earned the Carl Camras Award for Translational Research from ARVO in 2014, and in 2019, he was appointed Fellow of ARVO, recognizing his ongoing impact on the field.
Since 2006, Prof. Hafezi has co-founded and helped organize the International Cross-Linking Congress, now called the International Keratoconus and Corneal Cross-Linking Experts’ Meeting, fostering global collaboration among specialists. He also co-edits the leading textbook on corneal cross-linking and has been named among the 100 most influential figures in ophthalmology for his contributions to refractive surgery and cross-linking.
Building on this foundation, the ELZA Institute continues to advance CXL through innovative research, education, and humanitarian efforts, maintaining a leading role worldwide.
The story began in 2003 in Zurich, when Prof. Hafezi MD, PhD, FARVO joined the original team led by Professor Theo Seiler that developed the first corneal cross-linking device and explored the first clinical use of CXL. This early work laid the foundation for what has become a standard treatment for keratoconus worldwide.
ELZA has remained at the forefront of CXL research ever since. Our team produces a high volume of influential peer-reviewed scientific papers and is consistently ranked among the top groups globally in terms of both publication output and citation impact. Independent sources, including Expertscape, confirm our position as one of the most important contributors in the field.
To support knowledge sharing and collaboration, ELZA members organize the largest international congress dedicated solely to corneal cross-linking. These meetings bring together hundreds of ophthalmologists and researchers from around the world to discuss the latest advances, clinical experiences, and challenges.
Our team also contributed to the leading textbook on corneal cross-linking, now in its second edition. This book covers the science behind CXL, clinical protocols, and emerging innovations, serving as a key reference for doctors and researchers worldwide.
We do more than research and education. ELZA developed “CXL at the slit lamp,” which allows cross-linking to be performed in the clinic with minimal disruption.
We created the C-eye device. It is a compact, easy-to-use platform that delivers advanced cross-linking tailored to each patient’s needs. This device, made available through our partner EMAGine, reflects our focus on combining innovation with practical treatment options.
Read our technique paper CXL at the slit lamp technique paper.
In addition, our research group are working on a smartphone accessory that will enable portable, handheld, AI-assisted diagnosis of keratoconus to be performed – wherever a smartphone can be used. We call this approach “S.M.A.R.T.” – Smart, Mobile, Affordable, Reliable Technology, and the device is called SBK: the Smartphone-Based Keratographer.
ELZA’s CEO, Nikki Hafezi MAS IP ETHZ, leads efforts to make cross-linking available where it is most needed. Through the Light for Sight Foundation, ELZA supports training and treatment in underserved regions, such as Uzbekistan. Here, we provide epi-on CXL directly to patients, helping prevent keratoconus-related vision loss. Beyond clinical care, we engage in education and public awareness initiatives, including national TV interviews, to promote early diagnosis and treatment worldwide.
Together, these efforts define the ELZA Institute’s role as a global leader in corneal cross-linking. We remain committed to advancing research, improving patient care, and making treatments accessible to all who need them.
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