Advanced Presbyopia Surgery Course

Objectives

The program focuses on the in-depth understanding of presbyopia and its’ surgical management. It is taught asynchronously in English and offers both synchronous and asynchronous feedback and guidance, while it provides learners the opportunity of flexible attendance and self-paced learning (asynchronous teaching and activities; synchronous/asynchronous communication and presentations). Moreover, it provides on-site training in diagnostic technologies, as well as surgical training in artificial eyes and virtual-reality settings.

 

Unmet Educational Need for the Program

Taking into consideration: a) the significant impact of presbyopia on the productivity and on the quality of life, b) the technological development on the diagnosis and treatment of presbyopia, c) the lack of consistent training of ophthalmologists on presbyopia during their residency, d) the fact that there is no relevant educational course that addresses presbyopia, the program will contribute significantly to the ophthalmological community in their effort to provide optimal outcomes to their presbyopic patients.

Key Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, participants will acquire the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Step-by-step treatment planning in presbyopia
• The use of presbyopia-related diagnostic technology
• Understanding the anatomy, pathomechanisms and treatment options in presbyopia
• Understanding the intraocular-lenses technologies
• Understanding the visual curve and visual capacity of the presbyopic patient
• Evaluating the impact of ophthalmic diseases on presbyopia management
• Evaluating the impact of systemic diseases on presbyopia management
• Competency in digitally-guided presbyopic surgery
• Competency in three-dimensional presbyopic surgery

Target Audience

Residents and Consultants in Ophthalmology

Entry requirements

Applications can only be submitted via the webpage of the TLLC at https://kedivim.duth.gr/The following documents should be submitted in English unless otherwise specified

• Resume (English)
• A transcript of the bachelor’s medical degree (in native language)
• A transcript of the medical work permit (in native language)
• A Certificate of English language skills (A2 or above)
• A Reference from the Head of your department (English-optional)
• A copy of the identification card or passport (in native language)

Those selected to attend the course would need to have:

• Access to Internet
• Personal email
• Basic computer skills

Program implementation

The program involves:

Asynchronous teaching

• Video-recorded lectures

Asynchronous activities

• Short-answer tasks
• Participation in Quiz
• Practical application of weekly material
• Participation in Discussion Forum activities
• Study of material

Synchronous/Asynchronous communication

• Feedback to participants

Synchronous training

• Hands-on training in the presbyopic diagnostic modalities
• Surgical planning in presbyopic patients
• Simulated pseudophakic presbyopic surgery in artificial eyes
• Simulated pseudophakic presbyopic surgery in a virtual-reality setting

Training material

• The study material includes:
• Video Lectures
• Presentations
• Primary source excerpts (pdf)
• Secondary source excerpts (pdf)
• Access to electronic primary sources
• Access to bibliographic material (journal essays, chapters from edited volumes)

Program Syllabus

Modules	Teaching hours	Total workload hours	ECTS
An update on presbyopia 1.1            Pathophysiology of presbyopia 1.2            Visual acuity and visual curves 1.3            Astigmatism and other aberrations 1.4            The presbyopic patient’s personality 1.5            The ocular surface and presbyopia 1.6            Macular function and presbyopia 1.7            Glaucoma and presbyopia 1.8            Research in presbyopia 1.9            Artificial lighting and presbyopia 1.10        The economic impact of presbyopia	20	52	2
Diagnostic and therapeutic options in presbyopia 2.1            Presbyopic IOLs 2.2            Biometry in presbyopia 2.3            Placido topography in presbyopia 2.4            Specular microscopy in presbyopia 2.5            Scheimpflug tomography in presbyopia 2.6            Optical coherence tomography in presbyopia 2.7            Pupillometry and angles of vision in presbyopia 2.8            Image-guided lens extraction surgery in presbyopia 2.9            The three-dimensional surgery of presbyopia 2.10        Laser-assisted presbyopia correction	15	50	2
Training in Advanced presbyopia surgery 3.1        Data collection training [biometry / topography / tomography / pupillometry / optical coherence tomography / digital recording] 3.2        Clinical decision / Treatment options [clinical scenario] 3.3        Simulated pseudophakic presbyopic surgery (virtual reality) environment 3.4        Image-guided (conventional) presbyopic correction in artificial eyes (incisions / capsulorhexis) 3.5        Image-guided (conventional) presbyopia correction in artificial eyes (IOL implantation / centration / alignment) 3.6        Digitally guided (3D) presbyopia correction in artificial eyes (incisions / capsulorhexis) 3.7        Image-guided (3D) presbyopia correction in artificial eyes (capsulorhexis / IOL implantation / centration / alignment)	35	55	2
Final exams	2
Total	70	157	6

 

 

Liabilities

Obligations of Trainees:

1. Participation in the TLLC programs of Democritus University of Thrace implies full acceptance of the program’s Study Guide and the TLLC’s Internal Regulation of Operation
2. The presence/attendance of trainees in the educational programs is mandatory. In the programs, which are realized in physical presence, as in those implemented using the modern method of tele-education, the study is generally mandatory and the limit of absences cannot exceed 10% of the prescribed training hours. The monitoring of asynchronous education is implemented according to the study schedule set by each program.
3. For the successful completion of the program, the participants should:
4. not exceed 10% absences of the scheduled training hours
5. have passed the exams
6. have paid all the tuition fees

Rights of Trainees:

1. Trainees are informed by the Department of Administrative Support of the TLLC for all kinds of information related to the operation of the Centre
2. Trainees are supported electronically through the educational platform by the trainers, as part of the educational process, to resolve questions and provide clarifications related to the thematic units of the program
3. Trainees have the right to apply for the interruption/termination of their program attendance and a refund of their tuition fees, in accordance with the provisions of par
4. Students’/Trainees’ work is protected under the Copyright Regulations/Provisions.

After successful completion of the program, participants receive a Certificate of Specialized Training, which is issued by the TLLC and signed by the President of the Center and is equivalent to 6 ECTS.

Participants who have attended but not successfully completed the program, will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance.

 

Faculty

Instructors

Georgios Labiris MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology (Democritus University)

Tryfon Rotsos MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmologist (Democritus University)

Panagiota Ntonti MD, PhD, (Democritus University)

Theoharia Sideroudi Msc, PhD (University of Patras)

Aristeidis Konstantinidis MD, (University Hospital of Alexandroupolis)

Aikaterini Giannoukaki MD, (University Hospital of Alexandroupolis)

Program Fellows

Christos Panagis, MSc, PhD Candidate, (Democritus University)

Eirini – Kanella Panagiotopoulou, MD, PhD Candidate, (Democritus University)

Minas Mpakirtzis, MD, PhD Candidate, (Democritus University)

Christina Mitsi, MD, (University Hospital of Alexandroupolis)

 

Participation Cost

The participation cost amounts to €800.00. This amount can be paid:

• either in full before the initiation of the course.
• or in 2 equal installments of €400.00 each. The first installment upon acceptance to the program, and the second one is due before the initiation of the course.

Additionally, the program offers ten full scholarships for the applicants with the highest ten scores according to the selection criteria presented in sector 13.

Payment Instructions

Unless received a full scholarship, tuition fees should be deposited into the bank account GR98 0172 3520 0053 5209 2260 595 of Piraeus Bank, stating: “KE 70050 (KEDIVIM), Full Name and Father’s Name.”

If the deposit is made by another bank, it should be specified as “Special Account for University Research Funds, DUTH.”

Deposit transcript copy should be sent to the following email address: dangelon@affil.duth.gr, with read-receipt function activated. In case you do not receive a read-receipt confirmation, please contact Mr. Angelonias (tel. +30 2551030990).

Should due to unforeseen circumstances, participation in the program is not possible, the trainee may apply for a tuition-fee refund.

Admission and Selection Criteria

The maximum number of trainees in the program is 20, and the minimum is 5. Applications that do not comply with the mandates of sectors 5 & 6 will not be considered. All eligible applications will be reviewed and evaluated to a maximal score of 100 points, according to the following criteria:

Medical bachelor’s degree           (converted to decimal / maximum 10 points)

Master of Science degree             (10 points / maximum 10 points)

Doctor of Philosophy degree      (20 points / maximum 20 points)

Pubmed-indexed publications    (each x 2 points / maximum 10 points)

Competency in English   (B1 = 2 points, B2 = 4 points, C1 = 6 points, C2 = 10 points / maximum 10 points)

Interview                                            (maximum 40 points)

Applicants with the 10 highest scores will receive full scholarships.

Submission of applications and supporting documents

Applications open: 07/02/2024

Application deadline: 10/03/2024

Contact details

For further information regarding the program please contact Mr. Angelonias (Monday to Friday 10.00 – 14.00)

tel: +30 25510 30990 – 30405

e-mail: dangelon@affil.duth.gr

KEDIVIM website: https://kedivim.duth.gr/

Program website: http://presb.med.duth.gr/

Video presentation: https://shorturl.at/crJX7

Modules attached