On April 4–5, 2025, the 7th Baltic Sea Eye Conference was held in Rostock and Warnemünde, Germany, bringing together international experts to discuss current surgical and clinical developments in ophthalmology. As part of the scientific programme, Prof. Farhad Hafezi, MD, PhD, FARVO, Medical Director of the ELZA Institute, was invited to deliver an honorary lecture focused on surgical visual rehabilitation in keratoconus.
The meeting, organised by the Department of Ophthalmology at University Hospital Rostock, opened with an Eye Surgery Masterclass covering glaucoma, cataract, retina, and oculoplastics. On Saturday, the International Rostock Beach Academy hosted thematic sessions addressing complex corneal disease, including contemporary strategies for managing advanced ectatic disorders.
Prof. Hafezi’s lecture, entitled “Surgical Visual Rehabilitation in Keratoconus,” was delivered on April 5, 2025, as part of the Carl-Wilhelm-von-Zehender Honorary Lecture series. The presentation addressed how keratoconus management has evolved beyond progression control alone, emphasising stepwise, individualized approaches that integrate biomechanical stabilisation with corneal regularisation and functional visual rehabilitation.
During the conference, Prof. Hafezi was awarded the Carl Wilhelm von Zehender Award, recognising sustained contributions to keratoconus research and clinical innovation. The award was presented by Professor Thomas Fuchsluger, Chair of Ophthalmology at the University of Rostock. Named after Carl Wilhelm von Zehender—a pioneer of 19th-century ophthalmology and founder of one of the field’s earliest ophthalmic journals—the award carries particular historical significance. Prof. Hafezi noted the relevance of this legacy and acknowledged the honour of following the previous year’s recipient, Jod Mehta, from Singapore.
Beyond invited lectures, the Baltic Sea Eye Conference placed strong emphasis on academic exchange, including interactive sessions with early-career clinicians and clinician-scientists. Core topics included advances in corneal cross-linking, customised treatment strategies for keratoconus, and surgical approaches aimed at improving long-term visual function in complex corneal disease.
