Dr Sayan Basu is the Prof. D Balasubramanian Chair of Eye Research, the Director of Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre (BHERC), and the Director of Centre for Ocular Regeneration (CORE). He is a clinician-scientist and a key opinion leader in the field of Cornea and Ocular Surface and is internationally recognized for his innovative breakthroughs in corneal stem cell therapy. In the clinic, his expertise is in managing complex and high-risk cases, particularly those with previously failed or complicated corneal or ocular surface surgeries. His specific research interests include dry eye disease, scarless corneal wound healing, biomaterials including corneal 3-D printing, and stem cell therapy, in collaboration with renowned national and international scientists.

After completing his medical education at R G Kar Medical College and residency training at the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Kolkata, Dr Basu did his long-term cornea and anterior segment fellowship at LVPEI, Hyderabad, and subsequently joined the institute in 2010. He received his research training in stem cell biology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, USA in 2012-13. Dr Basu has been honoured with the Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and serves on the editorial board of several prestigious scientific journals such as The Ocular Surface, the British Journal of Ophthalmology, Current Eye Research, Seminars in Ophthalmology, and the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. He has published more than 250 scientific papers, and his work is highly cited by researchers in the ophthalmology and visual sciences community.

Chronic Cicatrizing conjunctivitis: Establishing the diagnosis and a simplified approach to treatment
Chronic Cicatrizing Conjunctivitis (CCC) presents a complex diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to its progressive nature and impact on ocular surface integrity. This condition involves scarring of the conjunctiva, leading to significant discomfort, visual impairment, and potential complications. In this talk, we will explore a streamlined diagnostic approach to effectively identify CCC and distinguish it from other conjunctival scarring disorders. Emphasis will be placed on clinical indicators, imaging modalities, and histopathological findings essential for diagnosis. Following diagnosis, a simplified yet effective treatment protocol will be discussed, focusing on reducing inflammation, managing fibrosis, and preserving the ocular surface. Attendees will gain insights into topical and systemic immunomodulatory therapies, surgical interventions, and the role of patient-centered management in mitigating disease progression and improving outcomes. This presentation aims to equip practitioners with practical tools for a nuanced, systematic approach to CCC.

Corneal Regeneration: "Revolution in evolution": stem cells hydrogels, & 3D bioprinting
Corneal regeneration represents a groundbreaking frontier in ocular science, blending advances in stem cell biology, biomaterials, and bioengineering. This presentation delves into how innovations like stem cell therapy, hydrogel scaffolds, and 3D bioprinting are revolutionizing corneal repair and regeneration. We will explore the cellular and molecular dynamics of stem cells in restoring corneal transparency and function, highlighting advances in limbal epithelial and mesenchymal stem cells for clinical applications. The development of hydrogel biomaterials offers promising scaffolds to support cell growth and integrate with native tissue, while 3D bioprinting opens doors to precisely construct corneal structures. Together, these techniques signal a paradigm shift from traditional corneal grafting to regenerative, customizable solutions, enhancing accessibility and success rates for patients globally. This talk aims to provide a forward-looking perspective on the future of corneal treatments, emphasizing how these innovations are shaping patient care and outcomes.

Complutense University of Madrid, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos, Clínica Rementería, Madrid, Spain

Prof. José Benítez-del-Castillo is Professor and Chairman of Ophthalmology at Complutense University of Madrid and Director of the Ocular Surface and Inflammation Unit at Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos in Madrid, Spain. He trained at the University of Cádiz, Spain and was awarded his PhD in 1992 from the Complutense University of Madrid.

Prof. Benítez-del-Castillo has been the Editor of the Spanish journal Archivos de la Sociedad Española de Oftalmología, and Associate Editor of Ophthalmic Research and he is currently Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Optometry and the Turkish and Polish Journal of Ophthalmology.

He is General Secretary of the European Dry Eye Society (EuDES).

He is also President of the Spanish Society of Ophthalmology (SEO), Country liason for the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS), and President of the Spanish Society of Ocular Surface and Cornea (SESOC).

Corneal neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain is defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) as pain caused by injury or dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous system. It differs from nociceptive pain, also known as somatic pain, in that it is the body's normal response to an offending stimulus. In the particular case of the ocular surface, it may occur in response to inflammation, trauma, anatomical abnormalities, tear hyperosmolarity or infection. Neuropathic pain can be central or peripheral depending on the location of the lesion. The pain presented by patients with dry eye is nociceptive and sometimes neuropathic, especially in chronic situations of more than 3 to 6 months. The discomfort experienced by patients usually has different characteristics, such as burning, irritation, stinging, stinging, prickling, etc. Diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical findings (hyperalgesia and allodynia) with functional and structural studies (alterations in confocal microscopy and esthesiometry). A combination of topical (neuroregenerative and anti-inflammatory), local and systemic treatments is often necessary. In some patients, a multidisciplinary approach and joint work with the pain unit and psychotherapists is even necessary. It is important to be patient and accompanying to the patient.

Inflammatory dry eye disease
Dry eye disease (DED) is a common, multifactorial ocular condition with major impact on vision and quality of life. It is now well-recognised that the pathophysiology of chronic DED can include a cycle of inflammation involving both innate and adaptive immune responses. Recently, in vitro/in vivo models have been used to get a better understanding of DED-related inflammatory processes at molecular/cellular levels although they do not truly reproduce the complex and chronic hallmarks of human DED. In clinical DED research, advanced techniques such as impression cytology, conjunctival biopsy, in vivo confocal microscopy and multiplex tear analyses have allowed an improved assessment of inflammation in DED patients. This was supported by the identification of reliable inflammatory markers including matrix metalloproteinase-9, human leukocyte antigen-DR or intercellular adhesion molecule‑1 in tears and impression cytology samples. One of the current therapeutic strategies focuses on breaking the inflammatory cycle perpetuating the ocular surface disease and pre‑clinical/clinical research has led to the development of promising anti‑inflammatory compounds. For instance, cyclosporine, already approved in the United States, has recently been authorised in Europe to treat DED associated with severe keratitis. In addition, other agents such as corticosteroids, doxycycline and essential fatty acids, through their anti-inflammatory properties, show encouraging results. We now have a clearer understanding of the inflammatory processes involved in DED and there is hope that the still emerging pre‑clinical/clinical findings will be translated into new and highly effective therapies for patients in the near future.

Dr Florence Cabot is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology and an Associate Cornea Fellowship Co-Director at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (BPEI), University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. She graduated from Medical School and Ophthalmology Residency in France and then joined the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute as a research fellow in the cornea department, in 2012, under the supervision of Dr Sonia Yoo. She was hired at the Ophthalmic Biophysics Center in the BPEI Biomedical Engineering laboratory where she spent 5 years as a Senior Research Associate, working on accommodation imaging and developing a robotic slit lamp platform, before starting her International Clinical Cornea Fellowship at BPEI. She joined the BPEI Cornea Faculty in 2019 and became Associate Cornea Fellowship co-director in 2024.

Dr Florence Cabot is a reviewer for numerous ophthalmology scientific journals, has published more than 50 peer reviewed papers and contributed to more than 10 book chapters. She has presented her work worldwide and has given more than 150 talks in domestic and international conferences. She had the opportunity to advocate for ophthalmic research by being invited at the Capitol Hill in Washington DC to meet with US congressmen and the state senator of Florida in 2017. She also obtained a patent for the development of a robotic slit lamp system in 2019.

Dr Florence Cabot has been inducted to the Apex Cornea Society in 2024. She is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and received an Achievement Award from AAO in 2024. She is also an active member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ESCRS).

Dr Florence Cabot is also actively involved in ophthalmology education. She is the Head of the second year Resident Cornea Rotation at BPEI and in charge of organizing anterior segment surgery wet labs throughout the year for the residents at BPEI. She is one of the founders of the Cornea Suture Recital, suturing competition that takes place at BPEI in June every year to test the surgical skills of the first year BPEI residents. On a national level, in addition to be a regular wet lab instructor at private company events, she is one of the trainers of the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) Surgical Curriculum for Ophthalmology Residents (SCOR) wet labs for phacoemulsification, pupilloplasty, cornea suturing and Yamane technique in the United States.

Diagnosis and management of cornea ulcers
This presentation will go over the methods used to recognize the different types of infectious keratitis, as well as how to target the most appropriate medical and/or surgical treatment depending on the clinical features. 

Management of corneal scarring
This presentation will go over the strategy and the ancillary tests used to manage the corneal scars, including medical treatment and surgical options.

Πρόσθια βλεφαρίτιδα σταφυλοκοκκική/σηγματορροική
Ορισμός των δύο διαφορετικών μορφών της βλεφαρίτιδας, Επιδημιολογία, παράγοντες κινδύνου και συνυπάρχουσες νοσηρότητες, Παθοφυσιολογία, Συμπτώματα, Κλινική αξιολόγηση των ασθενών, Διαγνωστικές διαδικασίες, Διαφορική διάγνωση, Διαχείριση των ασθενών - Θεραπευτική προσέγγιση

Η χρησιμότητα της συνεστιακής μικροσκοπίας στα κερατοειδικά έλκη
Η μικροβιακή κερατίτιδα είναι μια από τις κύριες νόσους που προκαλούν τύφλωση και είναι συχνότερη σε αυτούς που φορούν φακούς επαφής. Η συνεστιακή μικροσκοπία έχει αποδειχθεί ένα χρήσιμο εργαλείο στην πρώιμη διάγνωση στα μικροβιακά έλκη και ιδιαίτερα στην κερατίτιδα που οφείλεται σε ακανθαμοιβάδα ή μύκητες.

Κερατοειδής και ανεπάρκεια βλαστικών κυττάρων
Η ομοιοστασία και η διαφάνεια της επιφάνειας του κερατοειδούς διατηρούνται από μια ομάδα ενήλικων βλαστικών κυττάρων, δηλαδή των βλαστικών κυττάρων του σκληροκερατοειδούς ορίου (Limbal Stem Cells-LSCs). Η ανεπάρκεια των βλαστικών κυττάρων του κληροκερατοειδούς ορίου (Limbal Stem Cells Defficiency-LSCD) προκαλείται από έναν ανεπαρκή αριθμό λειτουργικών LSCs λόγω γενετικών παραγόντων, συστηματικών αυτοόνοσων ασθενειών ή δευτερογενούς βλάβης και προσβολής στα LSCs και το μικροπεριβάλλον τους. Η κατάσταση αυτή έχει χαρακτηριστική κλινική εικόνα και η συμπτωματολογία του ασθενούς διαφέρει ανάλογα με τη βαρύτητα της νόσου. Στην παρούσα εργασία θα αναλυθούν οι αιτίες που οδηγούν στην ανεπάρκεια των βλαστικών κυττάρων του κερατοειδούς, θα παρουσιαστεί η σταδιοποίηση της νόσου και η συμπτωματολογία καθώς θα γίνει αναφορά και στις θεραπευτικές επιλογές.

Επηρεάζουν οι αντι VEGF ενδουαλοειδικές ενέσεις την οφθαλμική επιφάνεια
Τι αποτελέσματα έχουν οι επαναλαμβανόμενες ενδοϋαλοειδικές ενέσεις αντι-VEGF παραγόντων στην οφθαλμική επιφάνεια ασθενών με ηλικιακή εκφύλιση της ωχράς κηλίδας, διαβητικής ωχροπάθειας η αγγειακών αποφράξεων του αμφιβληστροειδούς; Η προ-εγχειρητική προετοιμασία των ενέσεων σχετίζεται με σοβαρά ξηροφθαλμικά επεισόδια και μπορεί να ενεργοποιήσει μια υποβόσκουσα νόσο της οφθαλμικής επιφάνειας. Υπάρχει όμως ευεργετική δράση των anti VEGF στην οφθαλμική φλεγμονή;

Φλεγμονή της οφθαλμικής επιφάνειας. Πως κάνω διαφορική διάγνωση
Η φλεγμονή της οφθαλμικής επιφάνειας είναι η εκδήλωση πολλών νοσημάτων οφθαλμικών και συστηματικών. Μπορεί να αφορά στον επιπεφυκότα, στον κερατοειδή ή να υπάρχει συμμετοχή των προσαρτημάτων του οφθαλμού. Η προσεκτική παρατήρηση στη σχισμοειδή λυχνία είναι το κλειδί που θα μας βοηθήσει στην επιλογή των περαιτέρω διαφοροδιαγνωστικών κλινικών και εργαστηριακών εξετάσεων.

Χημικά εγκαύματα οφθαλμικής επιφάνειας
Παρουσίαση των αιτιών, της κλινικής εικόνας, της αντιμετώπισης και της θεραπείας των βλαβών που προκαλούνται στην οφθαλμική επιφάνεια από χημικό έγκαυμα.  

Όγκοι οφθαλμικής επιφάνειας. Κλινικά σημεία διάγνωσης και προσέγγισης
Η κλινική προσέγγιση για τη διαχείριση ασθενών με όγκο οφθαλμικής επιφάνειας θα παρουσιαστεί διεξοδικά, συμπεριλαμβανομένου του ρόλου των απεικονιστικών τεχνικών όπως είναι το OCT πρόσθιου ημιμορίου. Η έμφαση θα δοθεί στη νεοπλασία πλακώδους επιθηλίου της οφθαλμικής επιφάνειας και στις μελαγχρωστικές αλλοιώσεις του επιπεφυκότα.

Διλήμματα στην διάγνωση και θεραπεία παθήσεων της οφθαλμικής επιφάνειας
Στη συνεδρία αυτή παρουσιάζονται κλινικά περιστατικά παθήσεων οφθαλμικής επιφάνειας με ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον, όσο αναφορά την διάγνωση και την αντιμετώπισή τους. Στόχος της συνεδρίας δεν είναι είναι μονομερής παρουσίαση των περιστατικών, αλλά η ανάπτυξή τους με τρόπο που να ευνοεί μια δια δραστική συζήτηση με το κοινό, χρήσιμη για όλους μας.

Parainflammation is an adaptive response of the immune system to low levels of tissue stress or malfunction. It has characteristics that are intermediate between basal (normal) and inflammatory states. This response helps maintain tissue homeostasis and functionality under mild stress conditions. However, if the stress persists, parainflammation can become chronic and contribute to various diseases (dysfunctional parainflammation), such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. It is involved in glaucoma, AMD, and Dry Eye. It's a fascinating concept that bridges the gap between normal tissue function and full-blown inflammation.

ΑΙ στην ξηροφθαλμία
Η ξηροφθαλμία είναι μια πολυπαραγοντική πάθηση που επηρεάζει εκατομμύρια ανθρώπους παγκοσμίως και χαρακτηρίζεται από δυσφορία, διαταραχή της όρασης και πιθανή βλάβη στην οφθαλμική επιφάνεια. H παρουσίαση διερευνά τον ρόλο της τεχνητής νοημοσύνης στη διάγνωση, τη θεραπεία και τη διαχείριση της ξηροφθαλμίας. Εργαλεία που βασίζονται στο AI, όπως αλγόριθμοι μηχανικής μάθησης, τεχνολογίες απεικόνισης και διαγνωστικές πλατφόρμες εξετάζονται για την ικανότητά τους να βελτιώνουν τη διαγνωστική ακρίβεια, να εξατομικεύουν τις θεραπευτικές προσεγγίσεις και να βελτιστοποιούν τα αποτελέσματα των ασθενών.

MGD
Η οπίσθια βλεφαρίτιδα / δυσλειτουργία των μεϊβομιανών αδένων (MGD) είναι μια κοινή οφθαλμική πάθηση με πολλαπλές αιτιολογίες. Οι μέθοδοι θεραπείας ποικίλλουν ανάλογα με την αιτία, τη θέση και τη σοβαρότητα της νόσου. Αυτή η παρουσίαση συνοψίζει τις διαθέσιμες μεθόδους θεραπείας ή αυτές που βρίσκονται σε εξέλιξη για την αντιμετώπιση της βλεφαρίτιδας και της MGD.