New Young Ophthalmologists Programme comes alive

“Pupil size can be misleading, because a large pupil can sometimes be very difficult, such as after trauma,” said Dr Boris Malyugin MD. “Indeed, pupil size is relative to factors like operating technique, surgical experience and the biomechanical properties of the iris.” Dr Malyugin advised young ophthalmologists to proactively take steps to make the operation easier. These include the liberal use of viscoadaptive OVDs; decreasing fluidic parameters; using chop technique, which requires smaller pupil diameters; and using bimanual irrigation and aspiration. “If these are insufficient to ensure optimal surgical conditions, use a device to dilate the pupil.”

Dr Peter Barry MD, spoke next on posterior capsular rupture (PCR). “Once you’ve torn the posterior capsule, you’ve opened the door to all kinds of problems like a dropped nucleus, vitreous loss, retained lens material, cystoid macular oedema, retinal detachment and endophthalmitis,” he said. “So make sure you manage the rest of the case well.”

“The surgeon’s objectives upon PCR are the following: remove soft lens material, perform a controlled anterior vitrectomy, place a posterior chamber IOL if possible and temporarily ignore a dropped nucleus,” according to Dr Barry. “Deal with the anterior segment via a 2-port trans limbal vitrectomy, and if the nucleus drops, let it go and call your retinal colleague.” This year’s Young Ophthalmologists Programme represented a significant transfer of useful surgical information from the older generation to the younger. Launching a new format, with interactive video sessions of worst-case scenario complications presented by trainees, the session was attended by approximately 400 young ophthalmologists. After the session, Dr Barry paid tribute to Oliver Findl, Simonetta Morselli and Kaarina Vannas, chairpersons of the Young Ophthalmologists Programme, for their work in providing an excellent programme.

“They have really put in an enormous amount of work to make this young ophthalmologists session really come alive,” he told ET Today. “You can feel the excitement and the participation in the air as they send SMS questions up to the stage,” he said. “The nature of the discussion between the young ophthalmologists and the more senior people on the panel was also excellent,” said Dr Barry.