About The Program
Welcome
Thank you for your interest in the Online Fellowship Program in Cornea and External Diseases. Jointly hosted University of Ferrara and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and proudly sponsored by Moria, this online program has been designed to provide comprehensive, up-to-date education in the diagnosis and management of corneal and external eye diseases. Whether you are expanding your clinical knowledge or deepening your academic foundation, we hope this program supports your professional goals and enhances your understanding of this complex and evolving field.
We encourage you to explore the information provided on this website and reach out to us if you have any questions. We are happy to support you throughout your journey.
Warm regards,
Massimo Busin, MD
Vishal Jhanji, MD
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Overview
The Fellowship in Cornea and External Diseases is a 12-month online program designed for ophthalmologists seeking to deepen their knowledge and clinical understanding of corneal and external eye diseases. Live sessions are held every Saturday, providing participants with the opportunity to interact with faculty, ask questions, and engage in case-based discussions. All sessions are also recorded and available on-demand, offering the flexibility to learn at your own pace. This blended format ensures a dynamic and accessible educational experience.
Educational Aims
The program is designed to:
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Strengthen the theoretical foundation in corneal and external diseases
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Enhance clinical reasoning through exposure to a wide range of case studies
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Promote evidence-based decision-making in patient management
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Foster academic development and global collaboration among fellows
Additional Opportunities
In addition to the core curriculum, fellows will have access to exclusive educational events, including:
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A Fellows’ Summit held annually in both Europe and the United States
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Opportunities for observerships at Ospedali Privati Forlì in Italy under the mentorship of Prof. Massimo Busin
These experiences offer valuable exposure to leading practices and provide a platform for international networking and mentorship.
Registration Details
Eligibility
To apply, you must have completed at least three years of ophthalmology residency training.
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Application Requirements
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Intake Form
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Brief Letter of Interest
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Residency Completion Certificate
All materials must be submitted through the online application portal.
The Program in Detail
The course is structured around 12 comprehensive modules, each focusing on a core topic, delivered monthly.
Modules
Module 1
Corneal Anatomy and Examination Techniques
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Corneal structure and function
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Slit-lamp biomicroscopy and imaging modalities
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Corneal topography, tomography and biomechanics
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Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT)
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Confocal microscopy
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Tear film assessment and dry eye diagnostics
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Specular microscopy and endothelial cell analysis
Module 2
Congenital Corneal Disease
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Embryology of the cornea
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Developmental anomalies of the anterior segment
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Secondary abnormalities affecting the fetal cornea
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Management and surgical options
Module 3
Depositions and Degeneration
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Degeneration of the conjunctiva
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Degeneration of the cornea
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Degeneration of the sclera
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Treatment strategies including medical and surgical management
Module 4
Corneal Dystrophy and Ectasia
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Classification of corneal dystrophies
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Keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, keratoglobus
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Treatment strategies including medical and surgical management
Module 5
Ocular Surface Disease
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Dry Eye Disease: pathophysiology and treatment
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Sjögren’s syndrome and systemic associations
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Mucous membrane pemphigoid and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
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Ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
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Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency
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Limbal transplantation and other advanced therapies
Module 6
Ocular Surface Disease
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Bacterial keratitis
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Fungal keratitis
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Viral keratitis
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Acanthamoeba keratitis and parasitic infections
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Antimicrobial agents and resistance​
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Post-infectious corneal complications
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Treatment strategies including medical and surgical management
Module 7
Immune-Related Disorders of the External Eye
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Immune-mediated disorders of the eyelid
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Immune-mediated disorders of the conjunctiva
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Immune-mediated disorders of the cornea
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Treatment strategies including medical and surgical management
Module 8
Corneal and Conjunctival Neoplasia
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Epithelial tumors
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Glandular tumors
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Neuroectodermal tumors
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Vascular and mesenchymal tumors
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Lymphatic and lymphocytic tumors
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Metastatic tumors
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Treatment strategies including medical and surgical management
Module 9
Corneal Trauma
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Mechanical trauma and foreign bodies
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Chemical and thermal burns
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Post-traumatic corneal irregularities and scarring
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Management strategies including therapeutic keratoplasty
Module 10
Eye Banking
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Principles of corneal donation and transplantation
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Corneal preservation techniques
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Endothelial keratoplasty tissue preparation
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Regulatory and ethical considerations in eye banking
Module 11
Refractive Surgery
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Principles of refractive surgery
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LASIK, PRK, and SMILE techniques
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Refractive lens exchange and phakic IOLs
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Wavefront-guided and topography-guided ablations
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Complications and management strategies
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Advances in femtosecond laser technology
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Patient selection and preoperative assessment
Module 12
Corneal Surgery
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Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and its indications
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Lamellar keratoplasty: SALK, DALK, DSAEK, DMEK
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Pterygium surgery and ocular surface reconstruction
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Anterior segment reconstruction
