The Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology has launched the University of Sydney’s Refractive Surgery degree internationally. The degree started in 2009 and was the first of its kind in the world. It aims to improve the quality of surgery performed and to make it safer for patients.
Professor Ianni Pallikaris, the first surgeon in the world to perform LASIK, officially launched the degree, regaling the audience with stories of his own pioneering work. In 1988 concepts of precise flap thickness and biomechanical stability were still 10 years away and Professor Pallikaris recounted the surprise he experienced when noticing a bead of aqueous humour percolating through the stromal bed during a LASIK treatment of -16 Dioptres.
Speaking of progress made in ophthalmology since then, Professor Gerard Sutton at the University of Sydney Medical School said, “we have certainly come a long way since that time. Refractive Surgery is now part of mainstream ophthalmology and many ophthalmologists (including myself) have had the surgery. The advent of the femtosecond laser for both corneal and now lenticular refractive surgery have been a few of the major milestones over the last decade.”
Prof. Gerard Sutton said there have been many contributors to the course launched by Prof. Ianni Pallikaris. “Dr. John Grigg, Head of Discipline of Ophthalmology and I saw a need for a remote learning course in refractive surgery and constructed a syllabus to provide a template for ophthalmologists to add refractive surgery to their practice in a safe and predictable way. There have been many contributors who have given of their time and expertise to put together the course”.
Dr. John Grigg, Head of Discipline of Ophthalmology and I saw a need for a remote learning course in refractive surgery and constructed a syllabus to provide a template for ophthalmologists to add refractive surgery to their practice in a safe and predictable way
A key part of the course, which is remote with online lectures and tutorials, is the clinical exposure with experienced surgeons as well as the wet lab sessions where surgeons can get a hands-on experience with the latest lasers and lenses. Students will have access to femtosecond laser during their practical week in Sydney.
In the near future, the course will be available to international students.
For information contact Rebecca Stoop (Postgraduate Coordinator) on (AUS) 02 9382 7284 or email [email protected])
