Graduate access to the world's top ophthalmologists

This month 40 ophthalmology graduates from all over the globe will converge on Lugano, Switzerland at the European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology (ESASO) to embark on a brand new post-graduate degree which will give them access to world leaders and experts in a variety of ophthalmic fields.

"The Diploma of Specialist Superior in Ophthamology (DiSSO) will begin with vitreo retina," explained ESASO's executive director, Dr Giuseppe Guarnaccia. "It is probably the most difficult subspecialty to learn with the highest demand in many countries. Likewise, the latest advances widen the treatment options and increase the need for well-trained specialists. ESASO offers theoretical tuition as well as practical training. A detailed programme has been devised for the first few years with an expert team of recognized clinical and teaching experience. The teaching principle in ESASO classes will be a dynamic combination of in-depth exposition of topics with direct, hands-on training where the lecturer shows students how to tackle doubts and problems."

The School's Scientific Council, headed up by its president Professor Borja Corcóstegui (Director of Institut Microcirurgia Ocular, Spain), comprises Bill Aylward (medical director at Moorfields Eye Hospital, UK), Vito De Molfetta (Top surgery consultant at S Gerardo Hospital, Italy), Alain Gaudric (director Lariboisiere Hospital, France), Anselm Kampik (director of Munich University's Ophthalmology department, Germany) and Thomas Wolfensberger (dirctor of Vitreoretinal Department Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, Switzerland). The programme they have helped put together will be undertaken by a 27-strong faculty of ophthalmic experts.

OTEurope will be looking at the aims of the School in more detail in its next issue and following the progress of some of the students as they work towards achieving their DiSSO with the help of experts around Europe.