Instructional Courses

All Instructional Courses at the Amsterdam Congress will be Free of Charge.
It is not necessary to register for these courses.

COURSE HANDOUTS ARE AVAILABLE (see below)

*Recommended for Young Ophthalmologists

• Saturday
• Sunday
• Monday
• Tuesday

• Tuesday 8 October
  08:00-10:00

• IC 81
• 
  EVICR.net cornea, cataract and refractive surgery (CCRS) interactive ICH good clinical practices (GCP) course

  Leader: D. Mathysen | Course Level: Intermediate

• Faculty:    J. González   C. Martinho           

  
  Course Description:
  
  Attendees will have the opportunity to fill out the EVICR.net questionnaire (available for review if necessary, distributed to EVICR.net members) prior to the cornea, cataract and refractive surgery (CCRS) interactive ICH good clinical practices (GCP) course. Based on the responses received, the course organisers (Elena Pardo, VISSUM, Alicante & Danny Mathysen, Antwerp University Hospital) will make a selection of four cases illustrating phase I, II, III and IV of CCRS clinical trials in ophthalmology.
  
  Course Objectives:
  
  The course is primarily opened to medical doctors, clinical research nurses and study coordinators, who are active in EVICR.net clinical trial centers, but will also be opened to anyone interested in a more applied good clinical practices (GCP) course.
  
  Course Schedule:
  
  The cornea, cataract and refractive surgery (CCRS) interactive ICH good clinical practices (GCP) course will be moderated by Javier González (VISSUM Alicante), Danny Mathysen (Antwerp University Hospital) and Cecilia Martinho (EVICR.net coordinating centre). Four cases (as received through the questionnaires) on phase I, II, III and IV clinical trials already performed and published will be briefly presented and will be interactively (starting with the questions from the questionnaires, followed by a discussion with the audience) discussed during this course.
  
  Single Product Course: Yes
  
  Financial Disclosure: None
  

• IC 82
• 
  Advanced microsheathed coaxial phaco / microphaco techniques and bi-axial microphaco in challenging cataracts: A video course

  Leader: K. Mehta | Course Level: Basic

• Faculty:    J. Bovet   R. Packard   B. Malyugin   C. Mehta   A. Crandall  

  
  Course Description:
  
  Microphaco has undeniable advantages. The course will teach how to successfully use bi-axial microphaco and coaxial phaco / microphaco techniques in difficult cataracts and myotic pupil, manage unstable capsules and still effectively do microphaco, demonstrate effective implantation techniques via small sub 2 incision.
  
  Course Objectives:
  
  The course will present methodology for the phaco surgeon to convert full time to microphaco with all its advantages and with minimum complication. The attendees will grasp exactly how to make the incisions, what size of rhexis is optimal, whether to prolapse the nucleus out or not, prevent excess turbulence, and chopping techniques with the biaxial and microsheathed coaxial techniques, stabilize the capsule in difficult cases with hooks, how much vacuum is safe with these small incisions, and how to modulate pulse power to achieve safe results. The best technique of inserting complex lenses, multifocal and toric through these small sub 2 incisions will be displayed. An analysis topographically and abberometrically to show corneal stability and enhanced results using these new techniques.
  
  Course Schedule:
  
  a. Introduction to the course.
  b. Successful techniques for biaxial microphaco.
  c. Microsheathed coaxial phaco and its application.
  d. Stabilizing the capsule with rings and segments.
  e. Techniques for inserting complex lenses, multifocals and toric via sub 2 openings.
  f. Complications when things don’t go right and how to correct them.
  g. Panel discussion.
  
  Single Product Course: No
  
  Financial Disclosure: None
  

• IC 83
• 
  Laser presbyopia correction: principles, pearls and pitfalls *

  Leader: S. Taneri | Course Level: Advanced

• Faculty:    S. MacRae   J. Alio   G. Waring IV   O. Klaproth   G. Carp  

  
  Course Description:
  
  Course will analyze laser vision correction for presbyopes, including various state-of-the-art patterns. Presenters will discuss principles, advantages and limitations of different approaches, as there is no clear guideline at present as to which yields best results.
  
  Course Objectives:
  
  Attendees will get an overview of this rapidly evolving field, including limitations and alternatives.
  
  Course Schedule:
  
  1. Hyperprolate corneas for presbyopia correction, 20 min, Taneri
  2. Presbyopia vision correction - new approaches, 20 min, MacRae
  3. Experiences with presbyopia - correcting ablations, 20 min, Alio
  4. Combining presbyopic inlays and excimer ablations, 20 min, Waring IV
  5. Limitations of presbyopia corrections at the cornea, 20 min, Klaproth
  6. Presbyopia correction at the cornea, 20 min, Carp
  
  Single Product Course: No
  
  Financial Disclosure: None
  

• IC 85
• 
  Cross-linking with photoactivated riboflavin for the treatment of infectious keratitis

  Leader: F. Hafezi | Course Level: Intermediate

• Faculty:    H. Iseli   K. Makdoumi   J. Mortensen   D. Said     

  
  Course Description:
  
  Besides the established indications of keratoconus and postoperative ectasia, cross-linking with photoactivated riboflavin (called CXL for its use in the treatment of ectasia) can be used as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of infectious keratitis of various origin.
  The course is divided in several presentations. The first presentation will give an overview on the molecular mechanisms of infectious keratitis and will explain the different mechanisms by which cross-linking with photoactivated riboflavin acts in infectious keratitis. The second talk will give insights into in vitro experiments that determine the ideal fluence for effective treatment as well as results of the combined use of antibiotics and fluorescein interference. The third and fourth presentations will present and discuss clinical data on bacterial, fungal, mixed and acanthamoeba keratitis. The final part of the course will be a round table discussion with active participation of the audience.
  
  Course Objectives:
  
  1) To make the clinician familiar with the use of riboflavin / UV-A treatment as a means to reduce the pathogenic load in therapy-resistant infectious keratitis.
  2) To demonstrate current clinical findings and results for infectious keratitis of various origin.
  3) To give recommendations on the ideal treatment parameters as well as on the use of simultaneous antibiotic treatment.
  
  Course Schedule:
  
  1) Molecular mechanisms of infectious keratitis, principle of action of photoactivated riboflavin (20 min, Hans Peter Iseli)
  
  2) Increasing the antimicrobial efficacy of CXL: Swiss findings (20 min, Farhad Hafezi)
  
  3) Increasing the antimicrobial efficacy of CXL: Swedish findings (20 min, Karim Makdoumi)
  
  4) CXL for microbial keratitis (20 min, Jes Mortensen)
  
  5) Clinical results from the Geneva-Cairo study (20 min, Dalia Said)
  
  6) Round table discussion (20 min, all speakers)
  
  Single Product Course: No
  
  Financial Disclosure: None
  

• IC 86
• 
  Strategies for very dense nuclei and other challenging and complicated cases: a video course

  Leader: K. Tjia | Course Level: Advanced

• Faculty:    A. Vasavada              

  
  Course Description:
  
  Course will show video clips of very dense cataracts, zonular weakness, IFIS syndrome, very shallow anterior chamber, and posterior capsular rupture cases, which require a different approach than routine uncomplicated cases.
  A wide range of video clips with simple and useful tips and techniques is offered for the experienced cataract surgeon to deal with these cases.
  Ultrasound and torsional ultrasound power settings, fluid dynamics settings, appropriate incision sizes and phacotip choice will be discussed.
  
  Course Objectives:
  
  Attendees will learn general strategy guidelines and special techniques for challenging cataract surgery. Specific insight in phacotip and sleeve choice as well as a good understanding of torsional ultrasound amplitude and fluidics settings will be provided.
  
  Course Schedule:
  
  Course will show video clips of very dense cataracts, zonular weakness, IFIS syndrome, very shallow anterior chamber, and posterior capsular rupture cases, which require a different approach than routine uncomplicated cases.
  A wide range of video clips with simple and useful tips and techniques is offered for the experienced cataract surgeon to deal with these cases.
  Ultrasound and torsional ultrasound power settings, fluid dynamics settings, appropriate incision sizes and phacotip choice will be discussed.
  
  Single Product Course: No
  
  Financial Disclosure: Receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented, travel has been funded, fully or partially, by a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented
  

• IC 87
• 
  Multifocal IOLs: pearls and pitfalls

  Leader: K. Gekeler | Course Level: Intermediate

• Faculty:    S. Schmickler   K. Boden           

  
  Course Description:
  
  The course is designed for experienced phaco surgeons. It comprises the inclusion and exclusion criteria for MIOLs and offers an insight into clinical studies as well as personal experiences of the instructors with MIOLs. The preoperative patient selection, understanding of the concepts multifocal IOLs and postoperative care will be discussed.
  
  Course Objectives:
  
  The key role for optimal results and a satisfied patient is the preoperative selection and a well informed patient. For this, the surgeon has to know the different concepts of MIOLs and the criteria for patient selection. Other critical aspects are patient guidance, preoperative patient information, IOL selection, implantation technique, post-operative care. The participants should finish this course with an insight into the fundamentals of MIOL implantation.
  
  Course Schedule:
  
  Introduction (3 minutes)
  Karl Boden: Overview of the available models of MIOLs. Refractive and diffractive MIOLs (10 mins)
  Stefanie Schmickler: Patient selection: tips and pearls for your first 20 patients (15 mins)
  Stefanie Schmickler: Results from the happy patient study, conclusions for the daily practice (15 mins)
  Katrin Gekeler: Which near addition for which patient? +3 or +4 ? (15 mins)
  Katrin Gekeler: MIOLs in anisometropic amblyopic eyes and contraindications. How strict should we be? (20 mins)
  Stefanie Schmickler: Screening for potential sources of complications with presbyopic IOLs (15 mins)
  Karl Boden: Toric MIOLs, overview, pearls and pitfalls (15 mins)
  
  Single Product Course: No
  
  Financial Disclosure: Research is funded, fully or partially, by a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented
  

• IC 88
• 
  Unusual indications for iris fixation IOLs

  Leader: C. Budo | Course Level: Advanced

• Faculty:    E. Assia   B. Dick   H. Hermeking   R. Nuijts   T. Neuhann  

  
  Course Description:
  
  Iris fixation IOLs can be used in various complicated cases where capsular bag or sulcus implantation are not possible.
  
  Course Objectives:
  
  Show participants how they can use iris fixation IOLs for the solution of various complicated cases.
  
  Course Schedule:
  
  Introduction
  Pediatric iris fixation IOLs
  Toric iris fixation IOLs in keratoconus
  Iris fixation IOLs after trauma
  Cross-linking and iris fixation IOLs
  Marfan and iris fixation IOLs
  Retropupillary iris fixation
  Conclusion
  
  Single Product Course: No
  
  Financial Disclosure: None
  

• IC 89
• 
  Modern trends in management of keratoconus *

  Leader: V. Maurino | Course Level: Intermediate

• Faculty:    D. O'Brart   B. Allan   L. Fontana        

  
  Course Description:
  
  In this course, techniques, results and complications of available treatment modalities will be reviewed. Collagen cross-linking, corneal ring segments, toric phakic IOL, lamellar and full thickness keratoplasty with and without the use of femtosecond laser, topography-guided surface ablation and a combination of these techniques will be looked into.
  
  Course Objectives:
  
  Attendees should learn to recognize and describe advantages and disadvantages of the different keratoconus treatment modalities and select the most adequate treatment for a given patient with a given stage of keratoconus.
  
  Course Schedule:
  
  Introduction: Vincenzo Maurino - 5 min
  Corneal collagen cross-linking: David O'Brart - 25 min
  Intracorneal ring segments, phakic IOL and topographic guided PRK: Bruce Allan - 20 min
  Big bubble DALK results: Luigi Fontana - 15 min
  Femtosecond laser keratoplasty: Vincenzo Maurino - 15 min
  Conclusions, questions and answers - 20 min
  
  Single Product Course: No
  
  Financial Disclosure: None
  

• Tuesday 8 October
  14:30-16:30

• IC 90
• 
  Corneal surgery assisted by femtosecond laser

  Leader: J. Alio | Course Level: Intermediate

• Faculty:    D. Reinstein   G. Baikoff   T. Neuhann   W. Sekundo     

  
  Course Description:
  
  Femtosecond laser has been introduced recently as a new tool for corneal surgery. During recent years an increased number of applications and a clear improvement in the surgical performance has been described when using femtosecond laser for procedures such as corneal grafting surgery (penetrating, deep anterior lamellar), corneal excision, intracorneal ring segment implantation, pockets for intracorneal inlays, corneal keratopigmentation techniques and corneal refractive surgery. During this course the instructors will provide details about the use of the different femtosecond technologies, the evidence that exists on the improvement and clinical outcomes and clinical and surgical pearls for practical applications.
  
  Course Objectives:
  
  To instruct the corneal surgeon about the use of femtosecond lasers in corneal grafting surgery, surgery of keratoconus and special indications such as corneal keratopigmentation techniques, and presbyopia in corneal refractive surgery.
  
  Course Schedule:
  
  1. Introduction: how is a femtosecond laser
  2. Use of femtosecond lasers in corneal grafting surgery:
  Penetrating keratoplasty
  Deep anterior lamellar surgery
  3. Femtosecond laser in the surgery of keratoconus
  4. Femtosecond laser in corneal refractive surgery
  5. Other applications: corneal keratopigmentation techniques, corneal excision, others.
  
  Single Product Course: No
  
  Financial Disclosure: None
  

• IC 91
• 
  ABC in effective ophthalmic publishing *

  Leader: A. Grzybowski | Course Level: Basic

• Faculty:    T. Kohnen   D. Epstein   A. Al-Rajhi        

  
  Course Description:
  
  Fast development of computer technology and internet changed the publication practice over the last decade. The need for speed and global availability of publication has become now at least equally important as the prestige of a journal. In this workshop we emphasize the basics of modern scientific publishing looking more closely on the manuscript traffic within the editorial office and the manuscript selection. In this light we indicate good authors habits which dramatically speeds up the publication process. We also take a look at two other major problems, such as plagiarism and understanding the role of citations and journals impact factor in building up scientific career.
  
  Course Objectives:
  
  To present and discuss the elements of a well-written paper, reviewing process, preparation of the revision, parametrization of scientific publications and the ethical aspects of publishing.
  
  Course Schedule:
  
  1. ABC of well-written article: reviewer's comments - T. Kohnen (co-editor of Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery)
  2. Ethical aspects of publication: important or non-important issue? - A. Grzybowski (associate editor of Acta Ophthalmologica)
  3. Is impact factor a good marker for journal ranking? - A. A. Al-Rajhi (editor in chief of Saudi Journal of Ophthalmology)
  4. How to avoid getting an excellent paper rejected – D. Epstein (member of editorial board of Journal of Refractive Surgery)
  
  Single Product Course: No
  
  Financial Disclosure: None

• IC 92
• 
  Toric IOL's: easily done

  Leader: J. Wolff | Course Level: Intermediate

• Faculty:    W. Hütz   P. Hoffmann           

  
  Course Description:
  
  Cataract surgery is moving more and more into the direction of refractive surgery due to the recent developments in lens surgery. The course will focus on the various options to treat low and high astigmatism depending on the indication and individual demands. Various procedures and toric IOL types (monofocal, multifocal) will be discussed with major focus on pre-op diagnostics, IOL calculation, marking and IOL positioning. Thereby, participants will be familiarized with the current diagnostic and surgical techniques that could be “easily done” to achieve success with toric IOLs.
  
  Course Objectives:
  
  Toric IOL
  Toric marker
  Pre-op diagnostics
  Markerless alignment
  Re-alignment
  Induced astigmatism
  
  Course Schedule:
  
  J. Wolff – Introduction and pre-op diagnostics (10 min)
  P. Hoffmann – Demographics; IOL calculation incl. raytracing and available online calculators (10 min)
  W. Huetz – Toric markers; overview and tips and tricks (10 min)
  J. Wolff, W. Huetz, P. Hoffmann – Tips and tricks for the surgery (how to handle surgically induced astigmatism; dialing the lens into position; OVD removal; final positioning) (20 min)
  J. Wolff – New methods for IOL alignment; re-alignment: how to do and how to avoid (10 min)
  
  Single Product Course: No
  
  Financial Disclosure: None
  

• IC 93
• 
  Anterior segment surgical solutions for secondary repair of post-traumatic eyes

  Leader: J. Talma | Course Level: Advanced

• Faculty:    M.J. Tassignon   G. Auffarth   B. Malyugin   E. Assia     

  
  Course Description:
  
  The aim of this course is to discuss the surgical solutions of post-traumatic ocular conditions of eyes with a potential functional recovery. Based on different clinical cases, the surgeon will explain the surgical strategies to follow in order to optimally restore the function of the eye. This course will be an interactive case-based discussion with the participation of the panel.
  
  Course Objectives:
  
  The objective of this course is to give the attendees an overview of different strategies that can be implemented to solve difficult cases of secondary repair of the anterior segment of the eye after trauma. Artificial iris, iris printed IOLs and iris suturing techniques will be proposed to restore the pupil. Different techniques of IOL suturing on the sclera will be demonstrated.
  
  Course Schedule:
  
  Video based presentation and panel discussion on the presented cases. The panel is the following: M.J. Tassignon, J. Talma, B. Malyugin, G. Auffarth, E. Assia.
  
  Single Product Course: No
  
  Financial Disclosure: Gains financially from product or procedure presented
  

• IC 94
• 
  State-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment of irregular cornea *

  Leader: M. Shafik Shaheen | Course Level: Intermediate

• Faculty:    T. Seiler   J. Güell   R. Ambrósio Jr   S. Yoo   A. El-Massry  

  
  Course Description:
  
  This clinical experience-based course will describe classification of both primary and iatrogenic highly aberrated cornea, modern diagnostic modalities, updated treatment options and guidelines to address the condition using different excimer laser platforms (topography, tomography, corneal wavefront or ocular wavefront-guided ablation profiles), ICRS implantation, CXL and different keratoplasty techniques.
  
  Course Objectives:
  
  Attendees will be able to manage the irregular cornea using different diagnostic modalities and therapeutic techniques, including different excimer laser platforms, ICRS, CXL and lamellar corneal surgery.
  
  Course Schedule:
  
  Introduction and magnitude of irregular cornea problems (10 min.)
  Advances in diagnostic modalities and management of post keratorefractive corneal irregularities (15 min.)
  Advances in surface ablation techniques to address irregular cornea (15 min.)
  Topography-guided techniques and wavefront-guided ablation modalities to correct irregular cornea (20 min.)
  Recent trends in corneal collagen cross-linking (15 min.)
  Modern management of keratoconus (20 min.)
  Lamellar keratoplasty for treatment of irregular cornea (15 min.)
  
  Single Product Course: No
  
  Financial Disclosure: Receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented, travel has been funded, fully or partially, by a competing company, travel has been funded, fully or partially, by a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented, research is funded, fully or partially, by a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented, ... receives non-monetary benefits from a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented., ... receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a competing company