Dr Namrata Kabra
Shri Ganapati Netralaya
India
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine(KPUM) is known world-wide for its research in the field of Cornea. It is a state of art facility with superb team of astounding and dedicated doctors of Ophthalmology, led by Professor Chie Sotozono. I feel privileged to get an opportunity at KPUM for two weeks from 22nd May 2023 to 3rd June 2023 which was supported by Santen Educational Grant of Asia Cornea Society.
My schedule for the tenure was prepared very meticulously wherein I could attend Cornea clinic on Mondays with Professor Chie Sotozono, Dr Fukuoka Hideki and Dr Kitazawa Koji. Monday clinic was a very busy clinic where I could see so many patients of Steven Johnsons syndrome and Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid apart from chemical injury, dystrophies and keratitis. I could also see follow up of keratoplasties, PUK and challenging ocular surface reconstruction cases. Monday I could attend morning academic session from 8am to 9 am as well. End of the day, a summary session to discuss all the interesting cases of the day with whole department of cornea was remarkable.
Tuesday used to be an Operating room schedule where I could see corneal and cataract surgeries by seasoned surgeons in a world class facility.
I could attend Keratoconus clinic and contact lens clinic of Dr Kitazawa on every Wednesday where I could see some of the finest indigenous modifications for improving RGP lens fitting. I could also witness his keratoplasty for keratoconus and discuss protocols being followed in details. Wednesdays’ morning had grand rounds at 8 am. Dr Fukuoka paid personal attention to make immediate changes to my schedule for maximum yield, if there was any time gap.
Thursday I was fortunate to meet a break through researcher and a pioneer of endothelial cell injection. Professor emeritus Dr Shigeru Kinoshitawas kind enough to allow me witness his challenging DSAEKs & femto cataract surgeries and also spared time to address my queries. With Dr Hieda, I could see some of the interesting squint cases along with cornea patients. A brief meeting with Dr Inatomi was memorable due to his enthusiasm.
Fridays, I could attend cornea clinic of Dr Fukuoka as well as dry eye clinic of Dr Yokoi N. Learning tear film break up patterns for the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye was novel and brain tickling. I could see patients with excellent outcome operated with his technique for conjunctivochalasis.
I am touched by the fact that all these doctors were kind enough to spare time to explain every case to me in English inspite of their busy clinics. Not just this, but also, they shared their complicated & challenging old case records too. I could also see their laboratoryand ongoing research projects specially immunostaining on electron microscope for ocular surface diseases with Dr Tomioka Yasu.
Professor Chie Sotozono is an inspiring &legendary doctor with extraordinary blend of passion and compassion. It was amazing to see that inspite of having hundreds of publications and fame, these world- renowned doctors at KPUM were so humble and grounded.
My sincere thanks to Santen team and Asia Cornea Society for supporting this academic endeavor and to Professor Sotozono & her team for making it fulfilling and enriching experience. Indeed, I am short of words to express how invaluable this experience was!!!