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
