Latest advances in ophthalmology presented in Zagreb this weekend

On Saturday, March 10, 2018, the traditional 13th Annual Congress of the Croatian Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (CSCRS) was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Zagreb. More than 300 Croatian and international ophthalmologists attended the congress, where they had the opportunity to learn about the latest advances in ophthalmic practice.

This year’s one-day congress featured presentations on the latest developments in refractive surgery, glaucoma, cataract surgery, retinal diseases and other areas of ophthalmology. Lectures were held simultaneously in two conference halls at the Sheraton Hotel, with presentations delivered by Croatian ophthalmologists as well as experts from some of the world’s leading ophthalmology centers.

The highlight of the congress was the “Live Surgery” session, during which a team of six leading surgeons from Svjetlost performed six complex procedures. The surgeries were broadcast live from Svjetlost to the Sheraton Hotel, while thousands of colleagues around the world followed the procedures via video transmission.

The Svjetlost surgical team consisted of Prof. Iva Dekaris, PhD, Medical Director of Svjetlost; Assoc. Prof. Ratimir Lazić, PhD, Head of the Retina Department; Dr. Maja Bohač, PhD, Head of the Refractive Surgery Department; Dr. Vesna Cerović, Deputy Head of the Retina Department; Dr. Igor Žuljan, Head of the Cataract Department at Svjetlost in Split; and Dr. Mateja Končarević, refractive surgeon. In less than an hour, the team successfully treated six complex surgical cases, demonstrating the high level of ophthalmology practiced at Svjetlost and its place among leading ophthalmology centers worldwide.

Following the successful Live Surgery session, an ESCRS Academy was organized at the Sheraton Hotel in cooperation with the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).

The event was a symposium entitled “Hot Topics in Cataract and Refractive Surgery,” featuring presentations by Beatrice Cochener, President of the ESCRS; David Spalton, former President and member of the ESCRS Council; Simonetta Morselli, member of the Council of the Italian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ISCRS); and several other distinguished ESCRS speakers.

Particular attention at the congress was drawn to the presentation by Prof. Nikica Gabrić, PhD, Director and Founder of Svjetlost, entitled “Why I Had My Eyes Operated On.”

“I had deep faith in refractive surgery and did not want to recommend procedures to others that I was not willing to undergo myself. This strengthened my credibility, because how could I be wearing glasses while convincing others to have surgery so they would no longer need them? After that, my practice grew tenfold, and to this day we have performed more than 60,000 laser vision correction procedures,” said Prof. Gabrić.

Part of the congress was dedicated to young ophthalmologists. In the special “Young Ophthalmologists” session, they had the opportunity to present their clinical experience to date and the scientific research they are currently working on, with the aim of one day contributing to new discoveries that will advance ophthalmology and enable patients to receive the highest level of care.

Alongside the congress lectures, a “WET LAB” was also held, featuring surgical procedures performed on artificial eyes. Under the mentorship of leading surgeons from Svjetlost, young ophthalmologists had the opportunity to practice and learn cataract surgery techniques.

Following the official part of the congress, a gala dinner was held, providing an opportunity to continue socializing and exchanging experiences over good food and music.

As the organizer, Svjetlost is particularly proud that the Croatian Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery congress has, this year as well as in previous years, demonstrated that ophthalmology in Croatia is keeping pace with international standards. A major highlight came at the 2015 congress, when the Svjetlost surgical team received the award for the best “Live Surgery” performed as part of the International Video Surgery Congress in Milan. Svjetlost received the award in strong competition from colleagues from Milan, Cairo, Istanbul and Bucharest.