Anirban Dutta

Chirag Eye Care,Prayagraj

India

I was fortunate to attend a two-week observership in the Cornea Department at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine,Kyoto, Japan from 8 June to 19 June 2026.

I am grateful to Dr. Sotozono, Dr. Fukuoka, Dr. Kitazawa, and Dr. Yokoi for sharing their clinical experience and teaching me the nuances of managing corneal diseases.

During my observership, I attended both the outpatient clinics and the operating room. I also participated in the morning conferences, where the latest advances in mesenchymal stem cell therapy and keratoconus management were discussed.

I encountered a wide variety of corneal pathologies in the outpatient department, including corneal dystrophies, CMV endotheliitis, HSV keratitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, and the sequelae of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. I also had the privilege of examining patients who had undergone Vyznova (cultured endothelial cell injection) therapy. Seeing the remarkable postoperative outcomes firsthand was truly inspiring.

I found the dry eye clinic to be of particular interest. Dr. Yokoi demonstrated the principles of tear film- oriented diagnosis and therapy, which was highly educational and provided valuable insights into the management of ocular surface disease.

I learned from Dr. Sotozono about her approach to managing SJS sequelae and had the opportunity to examine patients who had undergone the COMET procedure, as well as discuss its indications and clinical applications.

I also attended the contact lens clinic conducted by Dr Kitazawa, where I learned about the latest techniques in scleral lens fitting as well as the finer nuances of fitting rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses.

The highlight of my observership was the opportunity to attend the operating room, where I observed multiple cases of Vyznova injection therapy being performed by Dr Fukuoka and learned the surgical nuances involved in the procedure. In addition, I had the opportunity to observe DSAEK, optical penetrating keratoplasty, and PK Triple procedures.

Overall, my time at KPUM was an outstanding academic experience. I learned about the latest advances in corneal disease management, witnessed cutting-edge technology in clinical practice, and, as an added bonus, had the opportunity to spend my evenings exploring the beautiful city of Kyoto- a truly once in a lifetime experience.

I would like to sincerely thank the Asia Cornea Society for this opportunity, especially Ms. Claudine and Ms. Samantha for their support and guidance throughout the grant process.

I strongly recommend that every young cornea surgeon apply for this grant. It is an invaluable opportunity to learn from world leaders in the field and gain exposure to innovations that are shaping the future of cornea care.