The Lublin branch of the European School of Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology (EASASO) develops educational activities and attracts doctors with excellent training. This year, the school will host two exceptional events for ophthalmologists from all over the world – Medical Retina course in Lublin and ESASO Retina Academy in Warsaw. (On the photo, among others, co-creators of ESASO, who train Polish ophthalmologists)
The Polish branch of ESASO inaugurated its activity with a convention in November 2017. Then, under the auspices of a prestigious school, a whole series of educational events was held – including a course in vitreous body and retina surgery and last autumn ESASO Retina Academy in Warsaw. Moreover, Polish surgeons are still learning in Lublin – they take part in lectures, work in wet lab, operate on simulators. Cyclically, every month the students’ line-up is changed – 3-4 doctors arrive at the same time. 
– We also train surgeons from abroad. We were visited by doctors from Switzerland, Italy, Greece or the Arab Emirates. In June, another qualification of candidates will be held at the ESASO headquarters in Lugano, Switzerland. We will then give the names of doctors who will take part in the next training sessions – says Prof. Robert Rejdak, head of the General Ophthalmology Clinic of the Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Lublin, the representative of ESASO in Poland.
Another important event planned by ESASO in Lublin is the Medical Retina course, which will be held from 30 September to 4 October at the Medical Simulation Centre of the Medical University of Lublin. This time it will concern mainly the treatment of yellow spot diseases.
– The lecturers from all over the world will share their knowledge with the students. Prof. Eberhart Zrenner from the University of Tübingen, Prof. Maurizio Battaglia Parodi from Milan and Prof. Anniken Bures from Barcelona accepted the invitation. There will also be Polish lecturers – lectures will be given by, among others, Dr. Anna Matysik-Woźniak from my clinic and myself – says Prof. Rejdak.
The course is planned for 30 people. 25 places are reserved for Polish doctors and 5 for foreigners. Although the list is already closed, Prof. Rejdak points out that those interested can still send their applications, which will be considered in case of vacancies.
An international event on a much larger scale will be the ESASO Retina Academy in Warsaw. The meeting is scheduled for 15-16 November.
– It will be a convention for several hundred doctors from all over the world. This time we focus on the latest technologies used in eye and retinal surgery, the use of 3D technology, head up technology. We will also talk about new preparations that enter the treatment of macular yellow spot diseases such as AMD or DME, middle retina vein clots or complications of high myopia. I mean long-acting preparations, such as brolucizumab or new technological solutions for the long-term release of medicines, thanks to which there is no need for monthly injections. On the first day of the convention we have also planned a live surgery session, which will be broadcast from the clinic in Lublin – encourages to participate Prof. Rejdak.
Jerzy Dziekoński
