Dr Alex LK Ng
The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong SAR
During my observership, I had the chance to observe more than ten corneal transplantations (within 2 weeks only!) and most of those were complex transplant cases.
It is my honor and privilege to have received the Asia Cornea Society - Santen Asia Educational Observership grant for my two-week observership at the Singapore National Eye Center in April 2016. As an aspiring cornea fellow, I have always wanted to learn different approaches in managing corneal diseases and improve my surgical skills, especially regarding corneal transplantation. I also wanted to have opportunities to meet other researchers and clinician-scientists in the cornea field and exchange ideas. With these objectives in mind, I am glad to say that my 2-week observership at the SNEC has been a very fruitful experience.
During my observership, I had the chance to observe more than ten corneal transplantations (within 2 weeks only!) and most of those were complex transplant cases. For example, DSAEK in eyes with multiple glaucoma drainage tubes or in vitrectomized eyes or had previous PK; DSAEK in combination with ACIOL / sutureless scleral-fix IOL exchange; DALK on an eye with previous DSAEK; as well as lamellar patch graft and therapeutic PKP. Apart from transplants, I also observed other operations such as Gunderson flap and excision of OSSN. All the consultants were very patient and shared with me their surgical pearls and management tips. They also shared some of their team’s research work and publications when discussing the pros and cons of different surgical approaches and their results. I believe I will modify my surgical approach and techniques based on what I have learned. As for out-patients, I got to examine lots of patients before and after corneal transplants in the cornea clinic. In the refractive clinic, I learned the preoperative assessment of patients undergoing new procedures such as corneal inlays and SMILE. I also had a chance to attend their corneal and refractive specialist conference where there was very interesting discussions on DALK videos, as well as corneal transplantation in the management of congenital corneal opacities.
This observership program also provided me an excellent opportunity to meet new friends, particularly their cornea fellows Dr Woo Jyh Haur and Dr Tasha Siregar, and other research fellows from all over the world, where we could discuss about our different training systems and career paths.
Lastly, I would like to thank again the Asia Cornea Society and the SNEC cornea team, particularly Prof Donald Tan, Prof Jodhbir Mehta, Prof Lim Li, Dr Khor Wei Boon and Dr Marcus Ang, for giving me this wonderful training opportunity. I would have no reservations in recommending the Asia Cornea Society - Santen Asia Educational Observership Grant to all aspiring corneal surgeons.