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Muscat Eye Laser Center’s Medical Director showcases research work at prestigious US symposium

 
Reinforcing her credentials as an international authority on refractive eye surgery, Muscat Eye Laser Center’s Medical Director was invited to present a pair of scientific papers as the Annual Symposium and Congress of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) in the United States recently.
Dr. Maria Clara Arbelaez’s inclusion in a roster of top-flight presenters from around the world attests to her standing as an internationally recognised expert in the field of cataract and refractive eye surgery.
As the world’s signature forum on anterior segment surgery, the Annual Symposium and Congress of the ASCRS attracts specialists on the frontline of ophthalmic research and practice from around the globe. An estimated 7,000 eye-care professionals registered to attend this year’s five-day-long event in Chicago.
In the first of two appearances at the prestigious forum, Dr Maria presented a case study based on a yearlong follow-up of a keratoconic patient with ‘Lamellar Corneal Grafting after Pachymetry-Assisted Laser Ablation’.  Through this study, she demonstrated the precision of the excimer laser Amaris 750S to achieve deep lamelar cornea trepination.
The procedure, Dr Maria emphasised, has many advantages in comparison with other techniques, as it delivers a more precise cut in terms of centration, diameter site, and thickness. At the same time, it eliminates the risk of corneal perforation and the need for conversion to penetrating keratoplasty. The visual results at the end of a year-long follow-up have been amazing: the patient’s uncorrected visual acuity had improved from ‘counting fingers’ to 20/40, while his best corrected visual acuity was enhanced from 20/40 to 20/30.
The second paper dealt with the findings of a lengthy and comprehensive research study she led along with her medical and optometric team at Muscat Eye Laser Center. In her presentation, Dr Maria outlined a set of successful predictive factors in the treatment of keratoconus using kerarings. Based on the predictors found for uncorrected visual acuity improvement, patients with mild to moderate keratoconus should have potentially good outcomes, while poor outcomes can be anticipated in cases of advanced keratoconus. These significant predictors and threshold levels found for kerarings serve as practical guidelines for surgeons because they define criteria for success, the reputed specialist stressed.
Significantly, the ASCRS Symposium offered yet another platform for Dr Maria to showcase her research work on the cutting-edge of refractive eye surgery. Over a career spanning two decades, the highly respected surgeon has undertaken a number of research initiatives that have contributed to a better understanding and development of advanced surgical techniques.
"It's very important for professionals like us to remain engaged with research while staying on top of the current trends in refractive surgery both from the scientific and technological perspectives. After all, patients expect excellent outcomes, and are increasingly looking to us to provide painless and hassle-free surgical solutions to their vision problems. The ASCRS forum was an excellent opportunity not only to share knowledge with my peers, but to learn from them as well,” she commented.

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