Patriotika Muslima, MD

Cicendo Eye Hospital – Padjadjaran University, Bandung

Indonesia

I am sincerely grateful to express my appreciation to both the Asia Cornea Society – Santen Educational Grant and the incredible team at the Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University Medicine, for the opportunity in this invaluable experience to participate clinical observership programme in November 2025.

I had the opportunity to empower my clinical knowledge and management skills under the mentorship and guidance of the global experts Professor Chie Sotozono, Dr. Koji Kitazawa, Dr. Hideki Fukuoka, Dr. Osamu Hieda, and Dr. Professor Norihiko Yokoi, who generously taught me and shared their insights about cornea, external disease and ocular surface. Their dedication has been truly inspiring.

During my observership in KPUM, I observed and examined various types of corneal disease and observed the various surgical procedures. On Monday, I attended morning cornea academic session with all the cornea staff and residents, which discussed various topics (case reports, journals, etc). After that, followed by the busy Cornea Clinic with Prof. Sotozono and Dr. Kitazawa. I also attend OPD on Thursday with Dr. Hieda and Friday with Dr. Fukuoka. I examined and observed the management of Steven Johnson syndrome, ocular cicatrical pemphigoid, keratitis due to various microorganism etiologies, ocular chemical burn, corneal dystrophy, bullous keratopathy, endotheliitis, peripheral corneal ulcer, etc. I also observed and examined post-surgical follow up (PKP COMET, Phacoemulsification, PTK, DSAEK, DMEK, cultured human endothelial cell injection therapy/ Vyznova, etc.) with excellent outcomes. On Tuesday, I attend the OT with Prof. Sotozono, Dr. Kitazawa, and Dr. Fukuoka. I had the opportunity to observe various and advanced procedures, including cultured human endothelial cell injection therapy (Vyznova), combined COMET with PKP and cataract extraction, ocular surface reconstruction with oral mucous membrane graft and AMT, phacoemulsification in complex cases, etc. I also observed the emergency surgery, suture decompression in acute hydrops, with Dr. Kitazawa. I also joined the Keratoconus Clinic with Dr. Kitazawa and observed the keratoconus patient examination and management with CXL, RGP lens, keratoplasty or the advanced procedure with CTAK (Corneal Tissue Addition Keratoplasty). I was also fortunate to attend the SJS Clinic on Wednesday afternoon with Prof. Sotozono and Prof. Mayumi Ueta. This is a very specialised clinic that runs once in a month. The SJS patients was managed with topical and oral anti-inflammatory therapy, surgical procedure with COMET, and customized limbal rigid contact lens and showed improved vision. I was also given the chance to attend the dry eye clinic on Friday with the top expert, Professor Yokoi, and team. He taught me about the dry eye concept and management also the conjunctivochalasis surgery technique.

Finally, I would like to express my deepest thanks and appreciation to all KPUM staff for the hospitality and kindness that made me feel welcome during my time in KPUM. I am very sure that this fruitful experience will deepen and sharpen my clinical knowledge and management skill and also shaped my professional growth.