Course Description
Our DMEK wetlab course for beginners and early starters consists of a two-day program scheduled on Thursday and Friday at NIIOS in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Program
On the first day, you are invited to observe live DMEK surgeries in our clinic (Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam). In addition, scientific presentations and video presentations will give you a detailed overview on how to approach DMEK. This includes cases starting from preoperative graft selection through intraoperative graft unfolding and postoperative complication management. We will also discuss the latest results and developments in standard DMEK.
On the second day, our specialists from Amnitrans EyeBank Rotterdam will give you step-by-step training in DMEK graft preparation on porcine, rabbit eyes and some discarded human corneas. Our specialists’ preparation will be displayed on a large screen so that you can follow along step by step at your own microscope.
In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to practice DMEK surgery on porcine eyes or the artificial anterior chamber with your self-prepared grafts from the morning. Our staff will guide you through every step. You can also discuss your own cases in a one-on-one consultation with one of our specialist surgeons.
For the course of April 7/8 we will have Zeiss 3D equipment in the OR and in the wetlab training. The participants will see what the surgeon / eye bank specialist sees through the microscope in 3D.
What You Will Achieve in This Course
Our goal is that after you complete the DMEK wetlab course for beginners and early starters, you will:
- be familiar with the preparation and preservation of donor corneal tissue used for DMEK;
- be familiar with the indications, results, complications and aftercare of DMEK;
- have observed 2–3 live DMEK surgeries and be familiar with the relevant clinical protocols;
- be confident in your ability to prepare tissue and to perform DMEK surgeries at your own clinic.
Your Group
The group size is limited to 11 participants per course. During the entire course our multidisciplinary team will provide advice and guidance, so you will enjoy personal coaching throughout your participation. Please note that personal presence of Dr Melles is not guaranteed.
In addition to teaching you the DMEK technique, we want you to have an enjoyable time in Rotterdam, one of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel Top 10! On Tuesday evening we will dine with you in the historic Hotel New York restaurant. After dinner, a water taxi ride will acquaint you with the city’s breathtaking aquatic side.