Professor Nikica Gabrić, PhD, MD

• Specialist ophthalmologist
• Sub-specialist for surgery of the anterior ocular segment
• Founder and director of the Special Hospital for Ophthalmology Svjetlost
• Contact: nikica.gabric@svjetlost.hr

Education

Prof. PhD Nikica Gabrić graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Zagreb. He completed the specialization in the Clinical Hospital Center Rebro, under the mentorship of Professor Krešimir Čupak, doyen of Croatian ophthalmology. At the same faculty he acquired master's degree in 1988 on "Computerized monitoring of postoperative complications after cataract surgery." He received his PhD in 1997 with the dissertation "Comparative analysis of storing corneal transplant in rabbits and man - a contribution to the formation of the first Croatian eye bank" under the supervision of Doctor Ljerka Henč-Petrinović.  Since 2000, he holds the academic title of the Assistant Professor at the Faculty of medicine, University of Rijeka, and since 2009 has the status of full professor.
Training in the field of surgery of the anterior ocular segment he had in prestigious medical centers in Japan, Germany, Britain, US, Russia and Switzerland. 

Work area

Prof. PhD Nikica Gabrić is specialized in surgery of the anterior ocular segment, he carried out more than 80,000 cataract surgeries, glaucoma, refractive surgeries, corneal transplantation, and strabismus ... He carried out surgeries in more than 17 countries worldwide, in more than 50 operating theaters, including the prestigious Fyodorov Institute in Russia. He gained work experience as a specialist ophthalmologist, and later as the Head of the Department of Ophthalmology in General Hospital Sveti Duh in Zagreb. He was the first one in Croatia who performed laser vision correction, and was founder and president of Lions Croatian Eye Bank.
 
In 1998, he founded the clinic Svjetlost that soon became the leading private medical institutions in the field of ophthalmology in Southeast Europe. Prof. PhD Nikica Gabrić in the clinic Svjetlost introduces the latest trends in the field of ophthalmology modeled on the world-class medical centers of excellence around the world and creates a team of experts who carry out the most extensive surgical procedures on the eye. From 1998 to 2008 he was an instructor of the company Alcon for cataract surgery for Eastern and Southeastern Europe.  Since 2008, he is an instructor of refractive surgery and cataract surgery for the American company AMO, for Slovenia, Austria, Bosnia, Italy, Poland and Russia.
 
Today he is the director of Special hospital of ophthalmology Svjetlost, which from the status of polyclinic in 2010 grew into a clinic and became the first private university clinic in Croatia. "Svjetlost" is an internationally recognized brand with centers in Zagreb, Split, Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Budva.
 
He was awarded the Cicero for the best speaker among Croatian entrepreneurs, and in 2011 was awarded for the Manager of the Year in South East Europe. He held hundreds of lectures on international and national scientific and professional conferences. 

In 2018. prof. Gabric received the International Star Diamond reward from American Academy of Hospitality for excellence in the field of ophthalmology and Life Achievement Award from the Croatian Association of Managers and Entrepreneurs (CROMA). The City of Zagreb presented the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Ophthalmology to Professor Gabrić, PhD in 2019 in recognition of contributing to the development and reputation of the Croatian capital city.

The introduction of new methods

Prof. PhD Nikica Gabrić has introduced a series of new surgical procedures in the Croatian medicine (cataract surgery using ultrasound, amniotic membrane transplantation, sulcus fixation of intraocular lenses and cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation in children). He is responsible for the promotion of transplantation medicine, he formed the first tissue bank in Croatia, Lions Croatian Eye Bank, and with dedication and professional help he facilitated the opening of the eye bank in Rijeka, Osijek and Split.

He performed the first laser vision correction in the region.

Publications and research

He published over 400 scientific and professional papers in national and international journals, of which in journals indexed in Current Contents 40, 21 paper in other relevant databases, 21 chapters in books, 5 books and over 300 abstracts.  

Membership in organizations

He is the founder and president of the Croatian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. He was a board member of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ESCRS), the European Eye Bank Association (EEBA), he is a member of the board of the European Association of Ophthalmology (SOE) and the European Society of Ophthalmology SE Europe (SEEOS). He is an active member of the Croatian Medical Association, Croatian Society of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Croatian Academy of Medical Sciences, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Association for diseases of the anterior ocular segment, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. 

Main publications

• Gabrić N, Henč-Petrinović Lj, Dekaris I. Complications following two methods of posterior chamber inraocular lens suturing. Documenta Opthalmologica 1996; Vol 92: 107-116.
• Gabrić N, Dekaris I, Šuman L, Karaman Ž, Mravičić I. The influence of tissue culture on corneal antigenicity. Experimental Eye Research, Experimental Eye Research 1999, 68(3):277-282.
• Gabrić N, Mravičić I, Dekaris I, Karaman Ž, Mitrović S: Human amniotic membrane in the reconstruction of the ocular surface. Documenta Ophthalmologica 2000, 98: 273-283.
• Gabrić N, Dekaris I, Karaman Ž, Mravičić I, Katušić J. Corneal transplantation in children. Collegium Antropologicum 2001; 25(Suppl): 17-22.
• Dekaris I, Gabrić N, Mažuran R, Karaman Ž, Mravičić I. Profile of Cytokines in Aqueous Humor from Corneal Graft Recipients. Croatian Medical Journal 2001
• Dekaris I, Gabrić N, Mravičić I, Karaman Ž, Kaštelan S, Špoljarić N. Multilayer versus Monolayer Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in Deep Corneal Ulcer Treatment. Collegium Antropologicum 2001; 25(Suppl):23-28.
• Dekaris I, Gabrić N, Karaman Ž, Mravičić I, Kaštelan S, Špoljarić N. Pterygium Treatment with Limbal-Conjunctival Autograft Transplantation. Collegium Antropologicum 2001; 25(Suppl):7-12.
• Mravičić I, Gabrić N, Kerhin-Brkljačić V, Grubić Z, Dekaris I, Karaman Ž. The role of HLA-DRB1 matching in corneal grafting. Collegium Antropologicum 2001; 25(Suppl):l-6.
• Gabrić N, Dekaris I, Karaman Ž: Refractive lens exchange for correction of high myopia. European Journal of Ophthalmology, 12:384-87, 2002.
• Dekaris I, Gabrić N, Karaman Ž, Mravičić I, Kaštelan S. Limbal-conjunctival Autograft Transplantation in Recurrent Pterygium Treatment. European Journal of Ophthalmology 2002; Vol.12 no.3: 177-182.
• Kokić S, Buković D, Radman M, Capkun V, Gabric N, Lesko V, Karelović D, Stanceric T.: Lispro insulin and metmorfin versus other combination in the diabetes mellitus type 2 management after secondary oral antidiabetic drug failure. Collegium Antropologicum, 27(1):321-325, 2005.
• Dekaris I, Gabrić N, Damir B, Gagro A, Markotić A, Lazić R. Interleukin 1a Production in Human Corneal Scars. Collegium Antropologicum 2005; 29(Suppl.1):81-84.
• Lazic R, Gabric N, Dekaris I, Bosnar D, Boban-Blagaic A, Sikiric P. Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 promotes corneal epithelial defects healing in rats. Collegium Antropologicum 2005 Jun;29(1):321-5.
• Titlic M, Erceg I, Kovacevic T, Gabric N, Karaman K, Zuljan I, Orsolic K, kalajzic J. The correlation of changes of the optic nerve diameter in the acute retrobulbar neuritis with the brain changes in multiple sclerosis. Collegium Antropologicum 2005 Dec;29(2):633-6.
• Gabric N, Rastegorac P. An overview of telemedicine technology in the Russian countries. Teleophthalmology. 2006. 163-165
• Bosnar D, Dekaris I, Gabric N, Markotic A, Lazic R, Spoljaric N. Influence of interleukin-1alpha and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production on corneal graft survival. Croat Med J. 2006 Feb;47(1):59-66
• Knezović I, Dekaris I, Gabrić N, Cerovski J, Barišić A, Bosnar D, Raštegorac P, Parać A. Therapeutic efficacy of 5% NaCl hypertonic solution in patients with Bullous keratopathy. Collegium Antropologicum 2006; 30(2): 405-8.
• Lazic R, Gabric N, Dekaris I, Gavric M, Bosnar D. Photodynamic therapy combined with intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) in treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration. Collegium Antropologicum 2007 Jan;31 Suppl 1:71-5.
• Lazic R, Gabric N, Dekaris I, Saric B, Gavric M. Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) in treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Collegium Antropologicum 2007 Jan;31 Suppl 1:77-81.
• Sekelj S, Dekaris I, Kondza-Krstonijevic E, Gabric N, Predovic J, Mitrovic S. Ultraviolet light and pterygium. Collegium Antropologicum 2007 Jan;31 Suppl 1:45-7.
• Barisic A, Dekaris I, Gabric N, Bosnar D, Lazic R, Martinovic ZK, Krstonijevic EK. Blue light filtering intraocular lenses in phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Collegium Antropologicum 2007 Jan;31 Suppl 1:57-60.
• Bosnar D, Martinovic ZK, Dekaris I, Gabric N, Predovic J, Barisic A. Sunshine on holidays-eye risks. Collegium Antropologicum 2007 Jan;31 Suppl 1:49-52.
• Lazic R, Gabric N. Intravitreally administered bevacizumab (Avastin) in minimally classic and occult choroidal neovascularization secondary to age related macular degeneration. Graefes Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. 2007 Jan 245 (1):68-73.
• Lazic R, Gabric N.Verteporfin therapy and intravitreal bevacizumab combined and alone in choroidal neovascularization due to age related macular degeneration. Ophthalmology. 2007 Jun 114 (6):1179-1185.
• Barisic A., Dekaris I., Gabric N., Bohac M., Romac I., Mravicic I., Lazic R.: Comparison of diffractive and refractive multifocal intraocular lenses in presbyopia treatment,Collegium Antropologicum, 2008 Oct 32(suppl2):27-31.
• Brijacak N., Dekaris I., Gagro A., Gabric N.: Therapeutic effect of amniotic membrane in persistent epithelial defect and corneal ulcers in herpetic keratitis,Collegium Antropologicum, 2008 Oct 32(suppl2):21-25.
• Predovic J., Balog T., Marotti T., Gabric N., Bohac M., Romac I, Dekaris I: The expression of human corneal MMP-2, MMP-9, pro-MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in bullous keratopathy and keratoconus,Collegium Antropologicum, 2008 Oct 32(suppl2):15-19,
• Gavric M., Gabric N., Dekaris I., Bohac M., Draca N.: Selective laser trabeculoplasty in the treatment of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma in patients allergic to all antiglaucoma drops,Collegium Antropologicum, 2010 Apr 34(suppl2):275-277.
• Mravicic I., Dekaris I., Gabric N., Romac I., Glavota V., Sviben M.: Trichophyton Spp. Fungal keratitis in 22 years old female contact lenses wearer,Collegium Antropologicum, 2010 Apr 34(suppl2):271-274.
• Barisic A., Gabric N., Dekaris I., Romac I, Juric B: Comparison of different presbyopia treatments: refractive lens exchange with multifocal intraocular lens implantation vs. LASIK Monovision,Collegium Antropologicum, 2010 Apr 34(suppl2):95-98.
• Dekaris I., Gabric N., Barisic A., Mravicic I., Pauk M., Anticic M.: Penetrating keratoplasty and Verisyse iris-claw lens – is it safe for corneal graft? Collegium Antropologicum, 2010 Apr 34(suppl2):73-77.
• Lazic R.,Boras I., Vlasic M., Gabric N., Tomic Z. Anti-VEGF in Treatment of Central Retinal Vein Occlusion. COLLEGIUM ANTROPOLOGICUM 2010.34(2):69-72
• Boras I, Lazić R, Gabrić N, Lukić M, Dekaris I. Anti-VEGF in treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema. Coll Antropol. 35, 2011, 2: 15-19.
• Bohač M, Gabrić N, Antičić M, Drača N, Dekaris I. First results of Intracor procedure in Croatia. Coll Antropol. 35, 2011, 2: 161-166.
• Romac I, Gabrić N, Dekaris I, Barišić A. Resolution of Pseudophakic Cystoid Macular Edema with Combination Therapy of Topical Corticosteroids and Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs. Coll
• Antropol. 35, 2011, 2: 281-284.
• Mravičić I, Gabrić N, Pasalić A, Glavota V, Draca N. Surgical treatment of residual esotropia. Coll Antropol. 2011 Sep;35 Suppl 2:299-302.
• Gavrić M, Gabrić N, Jagić J, Cović A. Clinical experience with Ex-press Mini Glaucoma Shunt implantation. Coll Antropol. 2011 Sep;35 Suppl 2:39-41.
• Vojniković B, Gabrić N, Dekaris I. Curvature Analyses of the Corneal Front and Back Surface. Coll Antropol 37, 2013, 93-96.
• Vojniković B, Gabrić N, Dekaris I. How to Convert the Obliquely Crossed to non Crossed Astigmatism? Coll Antropol 37, 2013, 103-106.
• Draca N, Lazic R, Simic P, Dumic-Cule I, Luetic AT, Gabric N. Potential beneficial role of sevelamer hydrochloride in diabetic retinopathy. Med Hypotheses. 2013 Apr;80(4):431-5.
• Dekaris I, Gabrić N, Pauk M, Drača N. Positive pressure during penetrating keratoplasty can be solved with a modified graft-over-host technique.Acta Ophthalmol. 2013 Feb 7. doi: 10.1111/aos.12085.
• Lazic R, Lukic M, Boras I, Draca N, Vlasic M, Gabric N, Tomic Z. Treatment of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor-resistant diabetic macular edema with dexamethasone intravitreal implant. Retina. 2013 Aug 22.
• Gabric N.,Lazic R. PRIVATE SECTOR MEDICINE - INCREASING EXCELLENCE AND VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO STATE SECTOR. PSYCHIATRIA DANUBINA 2013. 25(1):41-44
• Bohac M.,Biscevic A.,Koncarevic M.,Anticic M.,Gabric N.,Patel S. Comparason of Wavelight Allegretto Eye-Q Schwind Amaris 750S excimer laser treatment of high astigmatism. GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY 2014. 252 (10):1679-1686.
• Dekaris I., Gabric N.,Draca N., Pauk-Gulic M., Milicic N. Tree-year corneal graft survival rate in high-risk cases treated with subconjunctival and tropical bevacizumab. GRAEFES ARCHIVE FOR CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY 2015. 253(2):287-294