Prof. Corcóstegui Borja
President of the Scientific Council

Ophthalmology is a well-established specialization in all European countries; and there are educational programmes in hospitals and universities providing a good educational level in general ophthalmology.

Master’s degree programmes are usually poorly developed. As a result, ophthalmology graduates wishing to specialize further need to find an established practice or clinic willing to take them on for on-site job training on a day-to-day basis.  Others prefer fellowship programmes available in the US, although this option is unavailable to those who graduated outside the. On this basis, the creation of a European School of Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology would seem to respond to an actual need.

To realize this challenging project we looked for the help of colleagues and support by different universities. The Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano Campus encouraged this initiative by making available funding as well as human and logistical resources. The choice of Lugano was considered ideal since USI is a young university in central Europe, with a high academic level in other subjects.  It also has easy access to an efficient public transport network, including proximity to the international airport north of Milan.  Its good transport connections are a plus for international students.

Why begin with vitreo-retina?  It is probably the most difficult subspecialty to learn with the highest demand in many countries. Likewise, the latest advances widen the treatment options and increase the need for well-trained specialists. ESASO offers theoretical tuition as well as practical training. The theoretical curriculum can be completed at the same university where the surgical practices are carried out. Those students who finish their education will receive their corresponding degree from the university.

A detailed programme has been devised for the first few years with an expert team of recognized clinical and teaching experience. The teaching principle in ESASO classes will be a dynamic combination of in-depth exposition of topics with direct, hands-on training where the lecturer shows students how to tackle doubts and problems.

ESASO doesn’t want to limit itself to vitreo-retinal pathology. It would also like to include other subspecialties such as cornea and refractive, cataract, glaucoma, uveitis, oculoplasty, pediatry and strabismus among others. We hope that ESASO will turn into a centre for the dissemination of new and effective ophthalmological learning and expertise; and we believe that our students will contribute to this transfer of knowledge for the sake of all our patients.