Research and reconstructions

Dr Soosan Jacob speaking at the Swedish Ophthalmological Society's annual meeting Raymond Douglas, of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, an authority in orbital, oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery, spoke on groundbreaking research that led to the development of IGF1-receptor antagonist therapy against thyroid eye disease. Soosan Jacob gave a keynote lecture on complex reconstructions combining various anterior segment surgeries. She also spoke on her innovations such as PEARL Inlay for Presbyopia, CAIRS for keratoconus and Paperclip capsule stabiliser for subluxated cataracts. A session on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was a highlight. Andreas Stahl, University Medical Center, Greifswald talked about the CARE-ROP study, a randomised multi-centre study investigating optimal dosing of Ranibizumab in ROP. He shared his experience as member of steering-committees in several renowned ROP-studies such as PRIDE- and RAINBOW-studies and as initiator of German national ROP-register. Gerd Holmström, Uppsala Hospital, Sweden, demonstrated the importance of national patient registries, in this case SWEDROP, where 10-years’ outcome (n=10,000) resulted in improved outcomes and decreased screening visits. Aldina Pivodic, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg, reported an individualised prediction model (www.digirop.com) for developing sight-threatening ROP with 100% sensitivity and high specificity developed using SWEDROP data (n=7,900). Lotta Gränse, Lund University Hospital, demonstrated the impact of using Retcam images for screening and during laser treatment (performed close to the ridge and only two disc diameters wide) to minimise ROP recurrence. Ann Hellström, Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, Gothenburg, discussed risk factors and preventive measures for ROP, highlighting the importance of personalised oxygenation, nutritional components such as breast milk, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids as well as the effects of fetal blood components such as fetal haemoglobin, growth factors and haematopoietic stem cells on ROP. Other topics discussed included TB-uveitis, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), orbital tumours, thyroid eye disease, corneal surgery etc. Other highlights included an honorary lecture by Kristina Tornqvist about changes in care for the visually disabled over the past 100 years, as well as the annual SOE lecture for the most accomplished clinician/ researcher with a promising future, which was delivered this year by David Epstein from St Erik’s Eye Hospital / Karolinska Institute.