INTERNATIONAL SPECIALIZATION COURSE IN REFRACTIVE, CORNEA AND LENS SURGERY

The International University Specialization Course in Refractive, Cornea, and Lens Surgery, aims to provide an integral online education, developed in a framework of a suitable and modern e-learning platform. In our course, we offer a comprehensive program that ranges from the basic sciences of refractive surgery, such as Ocular Anatomy, Physiology, and Optics, to the advanced methods of surgical correction of cataracts, corneal and refractive surgeries, as well as the management of their complications.

The didactic material is created with an evidence-based data methodology, predominantly in the field of refractive, cataract and cornea surgery, and provides the necessary integrated knowledge on the subjects of Refractive, Cornea, and Lens surgery for the clinical performance of a well-prepared and modern refractive surgeon.

Being scientific, and more importantly, a medical field of activity like ours, we have developed a 2-stage learning-based distribution of the contents: the 1st, (Proficiency Level), theoretical (completely online), and the 2nd, (Specialization level), theoretical & practical, with on-site observership.

In Learning Stage One, you will have access to the theoretical approach of the main areas of study (Refractive, Corneal and Lens Surgeries, and an Advanced Keratoconus Course). After this, you will have a compulsory final evaluation, and if you wish (and are able to fulfil the documentation requirements**) you can proceed to learn and perform the Good Clinical Practices and Clinical Standards courses, followed by 75 hours of practical implementation of the acquired knowledge (the Learning Stage Two), for which you will have to come to the prestigious Ophthalmological Institute of Vissum (Grupo Miranza), located in Alicante, Spain.

In the theoretical part of the course, among other outstanding features, there are more than one hundred and twenty-five multimedia classes -scientifically evidence-based – with updated peer-reviewed articles, evaluations in each module, and permanently open forums for medical discussions on any topic or question arising from the material of our course. Moreover, there are also activities related to the analysis of the outcomes of refractive surgical procedures.

In the practical part, you will be trained by Dr. Alió himself and his team in order to become an efficient and comprehensive refractive surgeon, by undertaking 75 hours of on-site observership as first assistant in Refractive, Corneal, and Lens Surgeries. In this part, you will learn not only the details of the office consultation/organization activities but also will observe and assist in the operating room. 

At the end of the First Learning Stage, our students have the option to develop, on a voluntary basis, a Research Project, or peer-reviewed article, under the tutorship of the well-known experts of the International Faculty of our Course, or the Director himself. Following the correct completion of the course, you will receive an official University certificate of specialization in Refractive, Cornea, and Lens Surgery, issued and recognized by the Miguel Hernandez University of Alicante, Spain.

We are convinced that the creation of this course and its official Certification is an opportunity for the international ophthalmology community, and will cover the gap that today exists in many Ophthalmology teaching programs regarding Refractive Surgery.

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Objectives of the course:

  • To offer a comprehensive review of fundamental clinical and scientific evidence-based knowledge related to Refractive Surgery.
  • To provide a didactic comprehensive educational program about the fundamentals and advances of modern Refractive Surgery.
  • To offer updated information about refractive topics related to lens surgery.
  • To offer updated information about those relevant corneal surgery topics related to Refractive Surgery.
  • To incorporate evidence-based medical concepts following international guidelines for the clinical practice in Refractive, Cornea, and Lens surgery.
  • To offer certified information about the use of Good Clinical Practices standards in the clinical practice and especially in relation to clinical trials in Refractive, Cornea, and Lens surgery.
  • To create an interactive network channel between students and a panel of international consultants and professors at a global level.
  • To integrate the students that follow the Course in research projects related to topics of the course.
  • To enhance the relevance of continued and self-medical e-education.
  • To help the students reach a level of knowledge in the theoretical framework necessary to establish a solid future practical fellowship in the topics of the Course.

COURSE CONTENTS

1st LEARNING STAGE: THEORETICAL APPROACH:

1. Introduction to the Refractive Surgery Module

Part A: Basic Refractive Surgery Course

2. A Short History about Refractive Surgery
3. Refractive Anatomy of the Eye
4. Accommodation of the Eye
5. Methods of studying the Refraction of the eye: Subjective and Objective methods (I) y (II).
6. Methods of studying the eye in Refractive Surgery. Corneal Topography
7. Epithelial thickness mapping in Refractive Surgery screening
8. Refractive errors: causes and associated comorbidities
9. Methods for the correction of Ametropia: Optical compensation and contact lenses
10. The Correction of High Myopia and High Hyperopia Refractive Errors
11. Outcomes in Refractive Surgery
12. Complications of Refractive Surgery
13. Ocular Aberrations
14. Refractive Surgery and Quality of life

Part B: Advanced Concepts of Refractive Course (Corneal Refractive Surgery)

15. The Sociology of Refractive Surgery
16. Refractive Mentality
17. Excimer Laser and Photoablation: Basic concepts
18. Surface Excimer Laser Ablation Surgery (PRK)
19. Modern Myopic PRK
20. Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) (I)
21. LASIK: Surgical Technique (II)
22. The practice of LASIK and PRK: Surgical Videos
23. LASIK: Reoperation Enhancements
24. Myopic Lasik and Astigmatic Lasik
25. Hyperopic Lasik
26. Complications of Lasik
27. Customized Excimer Laser Surgery
28. Femtosecond Laser Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE)
29. Presbyopia Surgery
30. Laser Refractive Surgery for Presbyopia: PresbyLASIK
31. Monovision: How to Approach Presbyopia Correction
32. Intracorneal Inlays in the correction of Presbyopia
33. Dry Eye in Refractive Surgery (I): Clinical Relevance and Diagnosis
34. Dry Eye in Refractive Surgery (II): Treatment

Part C: Advanced Refractive Course (Intraocular Refractive Surgery)

35. Phakic intraocular lenses (I): An introduction
36. Phakic s (II): How to March Patients with Lenses for A Successful Outcome
37. Phakic IOLs: (III) The Artilens IOLs
38. Phakic IOLs (IV): The ICL IOL
39. Complications of Phakic IOLs
40. Modern Multifocal IOLs (I): What do they offer, what can we get
41. Modern Multifocal IOLs (II): Complications and their management
42. Extended Depth of focus (EDOF) Intraocular lenses

PART D:

End of Module Evaluation:
A- Case study Evaluation:
B- MCQ Test

Part A: Corneal Surgery Fundamentals

Basics of Corneal Imaging and Keratoconus

1. Anterior Segment OCT
2. Application of Aberrometry in Clinical Practice
3. Corneal biomechanics in refractive surgery
4. Keratoconus management: Introduction to the general guidelines for diagnosis and treatment I
5. Keratoconus management: Introduction to the general guidelines for diagnosis and treatment II
6. ICRs fundamentals and current applications in Keratoconus Treatment
7. Corneal Collagen Cross-linking
8. Cross-linking in Corneal Infections

Part B: Corneal Surgery Transplantation: Techniques

9. Surgical instrumentation in corneal surgery
10. Basic Corneal Suturing Techniques

Corneal Graft Surgery

11. Modern trends in corneal grafting surgery (TBD)
12. Penetrating keratoplasty

Corneal Lamellar techniques

13. Bowman’s Layer transplantation
14. Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty – Big Bubble Technique
15. Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty – Manual Technique
16. Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
17. Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty

Part C: Femtosecond Assisted Cornea Surgery

18. Femtosecond Assisted Cornea Surgery Introduction
19. Femtosecond Assisted Corneal Excision
20. Femtosecond Assisted Keratoplasty
21. Femtosecond Assisted Intracorneal ring segments (ICRS)
22. Femtosecond Assisted Keratopigmentation

Part D: Corneal Graft Surgery Outcomes and Complications

23. Corneal Graft Surgery Outcomes and Reasons for Failure (TBD)
24. Post operative follow up and complications of keratoplasty
25. Glaucoma Surgery Following Corneal Graft Procedures

1. Introduction to the Module: Modern treatment alternatives of keratoconus
2. Keratoconus: Diagnosis, Grading and Advanced Treatment alternatives
3. Paediatric Keratoconus
4. Intracorneal rings and segments – new & current applications
5. Cross-Linking In Keratoconus – CXL (I)
6. Advanced concepts in Collagen Cross Linking (CXL) (II)
7. Advanced Keratoconus treatment with combined customised PRK and CXL
8. Summary: Treatment of Keratoconus guided for HOA
9. Corneal grafting in Keratoconus
10. Cataract surgery in Keratoconus

End of Module Evaluation:

A- End of Module Case study Evaluation
B- MCQ Test

1. Introduction to the module

Part A: Surgical Modalities

2. Basic Phacoemulsification Course
3. Introduction and Basic Concepts
4. Elements of Phacoemulsification
5. Starting Up the Surgery
6. Viscoelastics in Phacoemulsification
7. Phacoemulsification Surgery: Stepwise Approach (PART 1)
8. Phacoemulsification Surgery: Stepwise Approach (PART 2)
9. Complications in Phacoemulsifications
10. Interim Course Evaluation Quiz (I)
11. Minimal Invasive Lens Surgery Course
12. MILS: Part 1
13. MILS: Part 2
14. Interim Course Evaluation Quiz (II)
15. Refractive Lens Exchange: Indications and Outcomes
16. Refractive Lens Exchange
17. Femtosecond Assisted Cataract Surgery
18. Refractive Surgery after Cataract Surgery
19. Incisional surgery and astigmatic keratotomy: astigmatism correction during lens surgery
20. Cataract Surgery following Corneal surgery
21. Bilensectomy: Indications, surgical techniques and outcomes
22. Interim Course Evaluation Quiz (III)

PART B: INTRAOCULAR LENSES

23. Intraocular lenses in Refractive lens Surgery
24. IOL Calculation
25. IOL Calculation following Corneal Refractive Surgery
26. Aspheric IOLs
27. Toric IOLs
28. Modern Multifocal IOLs (I): What do they offer, what can we get
29. Modern Multifocal IOLs (II): Complications and their management
30. Accommodative IOLs

End of the Module Evaluation:

A- End of Module Case study Evaluation
B- MCQ Test

Epilogue : The full history of Refractive Surgery and future innovations to come

1st learning stage final evaluation:

a. Clinical Cases
b. Final Project (Optional)

2nd LEARNING STAGE: THEORETICAL APPROACH:

CONTENTS:

  • Guidelines and Standard Protocols in Refractive, Cornea and Intraocular Surgery
  • Good Clinical Practices complete course with certification issued by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Center for Clinical Trials
  • 75 hours of clinical internship

1. Introduction to the module

2. Guidelines and standards in Refractive Surgery
3. Guidelines and standards in Cataract Surgery
4. Guidelines and standards in Cornea Surgery

End of the Module Evaluation:

A- End of Module Case study Evaluation
B- MCQ Test

 1. Introduction to the module

2. External Educational Service link

Topics:
1. Introduction
2. Institutional review boards
3. Informed consent
4. Confidentiality and privacy
5. Participant safety and adverse events
6. Quality assurance
7. The research protocol
8. Documentation and record keeping
9. Research misconduct
10. Roles and responsibilities
11. Recruitment and retention
12. Investigational new drugs

3. Module Course Evaluation
4. How to understand the outcomes of refractive and lens surgery: standard indexes and graphs for reporting refractive surgery

End of the Module Evaluation

  • Intensive schedule of practice (8 A.M to 8 P.M) in Vissum Ophthalmic Institute (Miranza Group) in Alicante, Spain
  • Practical experience as first assistant in Refractive, Corneal, and Lens Surgeries

– Instruction in office consultation and medical schedule organization
– Observation and practice in the operating room

2ND LEARNING STAGE FINAL EVALUATION:

  1. 2nd learning stage: Final Evaluation
  2. Final Report of the Course
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COURSE STAFF

Scientific Board:

Course Director

  • Prof. Dr. Jorge L. Alió – MD, PhD, FEBOphth, FWCRS

Associate Director Course

  • Dr. Jorge L. Alió del Barrio MD, PhD, FEBOS-CR

  • Mohamed El Bahrawy MD, Msc

International Scientific Advisors:

  • Richard L. Lindstrom, MD

  • Lucio Buratto, MD

  • Jod S Mehta, MD, PhD

  • Dan Zoltan Reinstein, MD, MA (Cantab), FRCSC, DABO, FRCOphth, FEBO, CertLRS

Academic Assistant:

  • Ms. Ana Royo

International Contributors:

Adel Barbara, MD (Israel)
Arturo Chayet, MD (Mexico)
Daniel B. Goldberg, MD (U.S.A)
Enrique Graue, MD (Mexico)
Francesca Toto , MD (Italy)
Ibrahim Toprak, MD (Turkey)
Jesper Hjortdal, MD (Denmark)
John Kanellopoulos, MD (Greece)
Jose M. Benitez del Castillo (Spain)
Karim Tourkmani, MD (U.K.)
Myoung Joon Kim, MD (Korea)
Roberto Fernández Buenaga, MD (Spain)
Victoria de Rojas, MD (Spain)
Ali Al Noroozi, MD (Spain)
Alireza Eslampoor, MD (India)
Amanda Ortiz, MD (Spain)
Ana Belen Plaza OD PhD (Spain)
Antonio Marinho, MD (Portugal)
Arun Gulani, MD (U.S.A)
Chiara Fariselli, MD (Italy)
Dan Z. Reinstein, MD (UK)
David Hardten, MD (USA)
David O`Brart, MD (U.K.)
Dimitri Azar, MD (USA)
Elena Rubio, MD (Spain)
Farhad Hafezi, MD (Switzerland)
Francesco Carones, MD (Italy)
Francesco D’Oria, MD (Italy)
Francisco Arnalich, MD (Spain)
George Kymionis, MD (Greece)
George O. Waring IV, MD (U.S.A)
Geunyoung Yoon, MD (Korea)
Geunyoung Yoon, MD (Korea)
Graham Barrett, MD (Australia)
Guy Kezirian, MD (U.S.A)
Hungwon Tchah, MD (Korea)
Ioanis Pallikaris, MD (Greece)
Jae-Hyung Kim, MD (Korea)
Jaime Aramberri, MD (Spain)
Jose Salgado Borges, MD (Portugal)
Leila Ghiasian, MD (Iran)
Len Zheleneznyak, MD (USA)
Leonardo Matropasqua, MD (Italy)
Lucio Buratto, MD (Italy)
Mahmoud Ismail, MD (Egypt)
Maite Sainz de la Maza, MD (Spain)
Marco Fantozzi, MD (Italy)
Maria Gessa, MD (Spain)
Miguel Maldonado, MD (Spain)
Mohamed Alaa El Danasoury, MD (Saudi Arabia)
Mohamed Shafik, MD (Egypt)
Mounir Khalifa, MD (Egypt))
Osama Ibrahim, MD (Egypt)
Paolo Vinciguerra, MD (Italy)
Rafael Barraquer, MD (Spain)
Ramkumar Sabesan, MD (USA)
Ramón Gutiérrez, MD (Spain)
Ramon Lorente, MD (Spain)
Renato Ambrosio, MD (Brazil)
Richard Hoffman, MD (USA)
Richard Packard, MD (U.K.)
Roberto Bellucci, MD (Italy)
Saad Al Amri, MD (Saudi Arabia)
Samuel Masket, MD (U.S.A)
Scott MacRae, MD (U.S.A)
Seyed  Hashemian, MD (Iran)
Shmuel Levinger, MD (Israel)
Suphi Taneri, MD (Germany)
Thanakrit Sorasit, MD (Thailand)
Timothy J. Archer, MD (UK)
Verónica Vargas , MD (Perú)
Warren Hill, MD (USA)

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