2026 SCIENTIFIC PROGRAM
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN at REFRATIVA R.I.O.
The scientific program of REFRATIVA R.I.O. reflects respect and empathy for our students.
The 2027 edition will be from march 10th thru 14th
See below our detailed scientific program
+ 75h of theory, + 100 classes and +50 HANDs ON wet/dry labs, in addition to special sessions,
live discussion tables, interviews and the "universo basico" with basic content (presentations and cases)
The whole teaching format developed by REFRATIVA R.I.O. that you only find here.
Below the 2026 edition
Wednesday, March 25th
The Power of a Plan: The Strategy to Follow
07:30 Anatomy of the First Consultation
From preliminary questionnaires to more complex exams
From patient expectations to the best indicated technique
The path to follow and the decisions to make
Carla Medeiros
Propaedeutics Part I:
Know what to look for, and what to do with the answers.
07:45 What we need to know about Ocular Motility
Thays Albhy
08:00 What we need to know about Glaucoma and intraocular pressure
Are drusen in the optic nerve a risk for excimer laser?
Sarah Mariz
08:10 Neuropathic pain and surface
Carolina Angeloni
08:20 What we need to know about the Retina
When the patient needs laser treatment on the retina, how long after can we perform refractive surgery?
Carolina Hilgert
08:35 Pterygium and Refractive Surgery
When and how to perform pterygium surgery on a candidate for refractive surgery?
And then what is the best technique for refractive surgery for this patient?
Germana Mariz
08:50 Blepharoplasty and Refractive Surgery
When and how to perform blepharoplasty on a candidate for refractive surgery?
Diogenes Caldeira
09:00 Systemic Conditions or Diseases that Impact the Candidate for Refractive Surgery
Which diseases are contraindications or require caution?
Carla Medeiros
09:20 Systemic Medications that Impact the Candidate for Refractive Surgery
Which medications require our attention? Do weight-loss pens contraindicate refractive surgery?
What do we need to ask and investigate?
Larissa Pegorin
09:35 Pregnancy, breastfeeding and refractive surgery
Lycia Pedral
When does it make sense to be on the surface, part I
09:45 Optimization of the ocular surface in the candidate for refractive surgery
Eyelid irregularities, blepharitis, inflammation or irregularity of the ocular surface
The preoperative surface alteration algorithm and the SPEED questionnaire
Marilia Trindade
10:00 Diagnosis and treatment of dry eye
What new epidemiological studies show us
What type of dry eye is it?
The case for precise diagnostic terminology in ophthalmology
Monica Alves
Risk factors for dry eye
Symptoms, signs, criteria and dyes
Inflammatory treatment for dry eye
Preventive Measures | Artificial Tears | Topical Anti-inflammatory | Oral Medication
Nasal Spray for Dry Eye in Individuals with Autoimmune Diseases?
Detailed Review of New Treatments for Meibomian Throat
Pulsed Light, Thermotherapy, Oral Azithromycin, Massage, and Automated Cleansing
Ocular Rosacea Microbiome: When and How to Use Doxycycline
Dry Eye and Refractive Surgery
Flowchart of Pre- and Post-Operative Care
Monica Alves
10:20 Coffee Break offered by REFRATIVA R.I.O. to replenish your energy
11:00 Does the endothelium matter?
Specular Microscopy and its Role in Pre-op
Lycia Pedral
11:10 Herpes and Refractive Surgery
How and When to Perform Prophylaxis
Claudia Morgado
Understanding the Market You're Part of
11:25 Structured and Ethical Thinking to Increase Surgical Volume
Christiana Hilgert
11:40 Social Media: How to Use It Ethically, Functionally, and Effectively
Cláudia Del Claro
Learn How to Inform Them
12:00 Pre- and Post-operative Guidelines
What the Patient Should Avoid and What They Need to Know
How Long Without Contact Lenses Before Exams?
What are the signs and when do you suspect we'll need to wait longer?
Patient Questions and How to Answer Them
When Can I Return to Exercise? Can I Dive? Can I take a flight?
Informed Consent in Refractive Surgery: What it Means and How to Do It Properly
Claudia Morgado
You're in the Right Place at the Right Time
12:20 The Refractive Surgery Market
Where is the Bottleneck?
Marcony Santhiago
12:30 Prevalence of Candidates for Refractive Surgery
The Boom Isn't Just About Myopia
Marcony Santhiago
12:40 The Concept of Shared Decision-Making in Refractive Surgery
The Shared Decision to Operate and the Maturing of the Doctor-Patient Relationship
How Can I Inform Patients About Risks and Benefits?
Marcony Santhiago
12:50 Patient Satisfaction Rates in Refractive Surgery
Evidence They Need to Know
Marcony Santhiago
13:00 Lunch Time
Propaedeutics Part II: Understanding Risk Factors for Ectasia
How to Structure Thinking and Make Decisions Based on Scientific Evidence
2:10PM My Decision-Making Flowchart
Refractive Surgery: Understand ALL the Risk Factors for Ectasia
Start Understanding Where Risk Factors Come From and What They Mean
How to Analyze Risk Studies
How to Interpret Screening Methods
Building a Flowchart for Decision Making
Marcony Santhiago
3:00PM Percentage of Altered Tissue (PTA):
How can patient variables such as thickness and magnitude of correction interact safely?
Marcony Santhiago
4:00PM Coffee Break offered by REFRATIVA R.I.O. to replenish your energy
Special Session I
You Are Your Business | Management in Ophthalmology from 4:00PM to 9:00PM
Special session at REFRATIVA R.I.O. dedicated to office-related issues
Such as taxes, purchasing equipment, insurance partnerships, ways to increase patient acquisition, and improving management. In this special session, we will hear from experts who will share their experiences and provide valuable tips.
Coordination: Carolina Angeloni and Carla Medeiros
4:30 PM - 10:30 PM Practical WET/DRY LABs
There will be more than 40 wet/dry labs in 3 time slots per night, divided into 16 rooms during the course days – see the wet labs on the "wet labs" page.
Thursday, March 26th
Propedeutics Part III:
The Image of the Cornea and the Development of Critical Thinking
07:30 OCT, UBM, and Ultrasound in Surgical Optics
From anterior chamber depth to macular edema:
How to apply these technologies in anterior segment surgeries
Norma Alleman
07:45 Practical Interpretation of Higher-Order Aberrations in the Pre-Operative Phase
What do aberrations measure, and what is relevant in the pre-operative phase for anterior segment surgeons
Does pupil size matter?
Savio Milbratz
Back to the maps part I - Modulo Tomography module
08:00 Corneal imaging
The basic concepts you need to know
J. Bradley Randleman
08:20 Update and Differences Between Technologies for Corneal Tomography
Understand what the Scheimpflug (Pentacam), Dual Scheimpflug (Galilei), and MS39, Anterion OCT technologies and others show
What the displays mean and how to interpret them
Nicole Larivoir
**Here we remind you that during the course there are specific classes (dry labs lasting 2 hours) for each device, delving deeply into each of the available features and displays.
See below for the schedule and plan accordingly:
PENTACAM
THU 26.03 16:30 – 18:30 | 18:30 – 20:30
In addition to extra video material available for up to 30 days after the course.
GALILEI
FRI 27.03 16:30 – 18:30 | 18:30 – 20:30
In addition to extra video material available for up to 30 days after the course.
ANTERION
THU 26.03 16:30 – 18:30
OPD-Scan
THU 26.03 20:30 – 22:30
MS-39
THU 26.03 18:30 – 20:30
OCT – Optovue / Solix
FRI 27.03 16:30 – 18:30 | 18:30 – 20:30
CORVIS
WED 25.03 16:30 – 18:30 | 18:30 – 20:30
In addition to the above hands-on dry labs, we provide video classes as extra material for students of REFRATIVA R.I.O.
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Understanding the Orbscan
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Understanding the iTrace
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Understanding the SIRIUS
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Understanding Aladdin
Resuming the Schedule for Thursday, 03/27
08:50 Structural Imaging Analysis: The "Biomechanics" of the Cornea
What is known about biomechanics and what are the practical applications of this technology
J. Bradley Randleman
09:10 Artificial Intelligence in Refractive Surgery
Wallace Chamon
What the corneal topography exam reveals
09:30 Understanding the pattern of topographic images
Risk gradations for ectasia based on topography
Marcony Santhiago
10:20 Coffee Break offered by REFRATIVA R.I.O. to replenish your energy
Enlighten Me
11:00 Evolution of the Way Laser is Applied to the Cornea
"From broad beam to flying spots and such"
Savio Milbratz
11:10 Optical Zone and Centralization
(Coaxial to the light reflection or center of the pupil?)
Renato Garcia
11:20 Corneal thickness analysis: When is it too thin and why?
Marcony Santhiago
12:10 Epithelial map in the preoperative period of refractive surgery
What epithelial mapping tells us about patient selection and procedure recommendations
Integrating structural tomographic data and epithelial map in identifying at-risk patients
Marcony Santhiago
13:00 Sponsored LUNCH Time with lunch box
EVO ICL Staar Symposium
Coordination and Moderation - Marcony R. Santhiago
Systematic Review: What is the current evidence?
Marcony R. Santhiago
Practical Preoperative Tips For optimal outcomes
Carlos Gordillo
Intraoperative Tips
Adriana Forseto
Vault Assessment and Postoperative Follow-up
Carlos Gordillo
Clinical Cases and Discussion
Glauco Mello presents and moderates the discussion with participation from all panelists
Enlighten Me II
14:10 Available Excimer Laser Platforms
Ablation rates, differences, and technological advances across platforms
Savio Milbratz
Every Detail Matters
14:20 Planning to Optimize Outcomes in Astigmatism Treatment
Refraction details and planning strategies for patients with astigmatism
What happens to the cornea? What are the limits?
What is the relationship between topographic and refractive astigmatism?
Does it influence treatment planning?
Ways to align astigmatism using different devices
Is it still necessary to mark the axes before the patient lies down?
Glauco Mello
14:40 Excimer Laser Particularities for Myopia
Refraction details and planning strategies for myopic patients
What happens to the cornea? What are the limits?
Savio Milbratz
15:00 Excimer Laser Particularities for Hyperopia
Refraction details and planning strategies for hyperopic patients
What happens to the cornea? What are the limits?
Carla Medeiros
15:20 Personalization Strategies
Aspheric Treatment | Custom Q
Topography-Guided Surgery
Wavefront-Guided Surgery
Ray-Tracing–Guided Surgery
Understanding the concepts and rationale behind these techniques, their indications, and clinical outcomes.
André Torricelli
Here we remind you that during the course there are still specific classes (dry labs lasting 2 hours, basic and advanced modules) for each excimer laser, delving into detail about each of the available features, planning, and indications.
See below for the schedule and plan accordingly:
WaveLight Alcon – Coordination: Glauco Mello
Basic Module – THU 26.03 4:30 – 6:30pm
Advanced Module – THU 26.03 6:30 – 8:30pm
Schwind Amaris – Coordination: Ramon Ghanem
Basic Module – FRI 27.03 16:30 – 6:30pm
Advanced Module – FRI 27.03 18:30 – 8:30pm
Zeiss MEL 80 / MEL 90 – Coordination: Márcia Toledo
SAT 28.03 4:30 – 6:30pm
VISX – Coordination: Luciano Haddad
SAT 28.03 6:30 – 8:30pm
Bausch & Lomb Teneo – Coordination: Fernando Marquez
SAT 28.03 8:30 – 10:30pm
Returning to the Friday program – 26.03
3:40 PM Special Lecture – 10 Years of REFRATIVA R.I.O.
The Future of Refractive Surgery: The Reasons Why You Are Here
J. Bradley Randleman
Myopia has reached epidemic proportions and, in the coming decades, may affect up to 70–75% of the world’s population, imposing a substantial clinical, economic, social, and environmental burden. In light of the limitations of a model based primarily on optical aids, recent advances in corneal biomechanics, ray tracing, and artificial intelligence are positioning refractive surgery as an increasingly precise, personalized, and sustainable solution. With the proper development and integration of these technologies, it becomes possible to achieve visual outcomes approaching each patient’s individual optical ideal, consolidating refractive surgery as one of the central pillars of ophthalmic practice throughout the careers of the surgeons practicing today.
4:00PM Coffee Break offered by REFRATIVA R.I.O. to replenish your energy
Special Session II
UNIVERSO BASICO of REFRATIVA R.I.O. from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Our great session all focused on basic content is back
Basic topography, tomography and pachymetry classes
Basic case review from start to finish
Basic review of techniques with practical tips
Bring your case. Open session for questions – Open Mic
Marcony Santhiago, Carla Medeiros, Claudia Morgado and Juliana Feijó
4:30 PM - 10:30 PM Practical WET/DRY LABs
There will be more than 40 wet/dry labs in 3 time slots per night, divided into 16 rooms during the course days – see the wet labs on the "wet labs" page.
Friday, March 27th
Technically Speaking I
7:30 AM Anterior Chamber Phakic IOL
Indications, outcomes, and complications
Adriana Forseto
7:45 AM Posterior Chamber Phakic IOL
Indications, outcomes, and complications
Key intraoperative tips
Carlos Gordillo
8:05 AM Anterior Segment Imaging
Parameters for phakic IOL selection and postoperative follow-up
Norma Allemann
8:15 AM Keratorefractive Lenticule Extraction (KLEX)
Progress and current status of corneal lenticule extraction
SMILE, CLEAR, SILK, and SMARTSIGHT
Baja Mohac
We would also like to highlight that, in addition to the theoretical lectures, we offer hands-on wet labs with a duration of 2 hours for anterior chamber phakic IOLs (Artisan | Artiflex), posterior chamber phakic IOLs (ICL | Eyecryl | Intralens), and SMILE. Please see the schedule below and plan accordingly:
Posterior Chamber Phakic IOL (ICL)
WED 25.03 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
THU 26.03 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Posterior Chamber Phakic IOL (Eyecryl)
FRI 27.03 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
SAT 28.03 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Posterior Chamber Phakic IOL (Intralens)
WED 25.03 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
THU 26.03 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Anterior Chamber Phakic IOL (Artisan | Artiflex)
FRI 27.03 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
SAT 28.03 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Returning to the Friday program – 27.03
It's Complicated; But We Know What to Do – Part I
8:35 AM Oops! The Wrong Laser Treatment Was input
What to do immediately — if it is safe
Glauco Mello
8:45 AM Infectious Keratitis After Laser Vision Correction
Incidence and risk factors
Cláudia Morgado
9:00 AM Losartan: The Rationale for Topical Treatment of Corneal Opacity
Practical cases
Lycia Pedral
Technically Speaking II
09:15 PRK: Indications, Particularities, and Scientific Evidence
What we know about post-PRK pain
Myths and truths about haze: What is the evidence?
Marcony Santhiago
09:50 Delay in Epithelial Healing After Photorefractive Keratectomy
The epithelium does not close after PRK: Prevention and treatment
Marcony Santhiago
10:05 Transepithelial PRK
What are the available alternatives and when to perform it?
Juliana Feijó
We would also like to highlight that, in addition to the theoretical lectures, we offer hands-on wet labs with a duration of 2 hours for PRK using different epithelial removal techniques. Please see the schedule below and plan accordingly:
PRK (Different Epithelial Removal Techniques)
WED 25.03 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
THU 26.03 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
FRI 27.03 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
SAT 28.03 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Returning to the Friday program – 28.03
10:20 Coffee Break offered by REFRATIVA R.I.O. to replenish your energy
Technically Speaking II
11:00AM Technologies for LASIK with Femtosecond Laser and Mechanical Microkeratome
Filipe Guidotti
11:10AM LASIK: Indications, techniques, particularities and scientific evidence.
Marcony Santhiago
**Here we remind you that in addition to the theoretical classes, we offer practical wet labs lasting 2 hours for LASIK with femtosecond lasers
Resuming the Schedule for Friday, 03/28
It’s complicated
12:00 Flap striaes after LASIK: How to avoid and handle (early and late)
Marcony Santhiago
12:20 Flap-related complications
Intraoperative complications related to lamella formation
Videos with situations that you don't want to live in, but need to know how to recognize and manage
Ramon Ghanem
12:15 PM Interface-Related Complications
Learn how to recognize and manage DLK, CTK, PISK, and epithelial ingrowth
Renata Bueno
12:30 PM Excimer Laser Nightmare – Video Session
When things do not go as planned
A session featuring videos of challenging and undesirable situations in refractive surgery
Ticiano Giobellina
12:40 PM Special Lecture – 10 Years of REFRATIVA R.I.O.
Myths and Truths in Refractive Surgery
Wallace Chamon
What you thought you knew about refractive surgery — and what may not be exactly as it seems. This lecture revisits established concepts, challenges widely held beliefs, and separates solid scientific evidence from narratives driven by market pressure. An invitation to critical thinking, responsible use of the literature, and practice grounded in science rather than trends.
13:00 Sponsored LUNCH Time with lunch box
ALCON Symposium
Coordination and Moderation - Debora Espada e Marcony R. Santhiago
The rationale and science behind Ray tracing guided excimer laser
Marcony R. Santhiago
Clinical cases Ray tracing
Paulo Schor
Discussion
Debora Espada
Beyond the Obvious
2:10 PM Flattening Limits in Myopic Treatments
Understanding the proportion of keratometric change per diopter of attempted spherical equivalent (∆K/∆SEQ)
for myopia correction in LASIK, PRK, and KLEX.
Marcony R. Santhiago
2:30 PM Perspective – Treatment Options for High Myopia
Building a decision-making flowchart
Marcony R. Santhiago
2:50 PM Epithelial Mapping in Postoperative Monitoring
How epithelial mapping should be used and how it helps explain postoperative findings,
such as transient residual refractive error
Marcony R. Santhiago
3:10 PM Enhancements: When and How – Restoring Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction
Analysis of regression rates in refractive surgery (and their risk factors/rationale)
Can epithelial mapping guide our retreatment planning?
Review of current safety limits
Marcony R. Santhiago
3:40 PM Special Lecture – 10 Years of REFRATIVA R.I.O.
The Invisible Patient: What I Learned by Looking Beyond the Tests
Paulo Schor
Refractive surgery does not begin with diagnostic tests, nor does it end with the laser. Over the years, it becomes clear that excellent outcomes depend as much on surgical technique as on understanding the personality, expectations, and behavior of the patient undergoing the procedure. This lecture invites participants to look beyond maps and numbers, exploring in a practical and engaging way the most common patient profiles, warning signs, and human nuances that directly influence satisfaction and surgical success—because the most decisive patient is often the one who does not appear in the diagnostic tests.
4:00PM Coffee Break offered by REFRATIVA R.I.O. to replenish your energy
Special Session III
PRESBYOPIA up close at REFRATIVA R.I.O. from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
A 4-hour comprehensive review of all excimer laser platforms for presbyopia treatment.
With numerous case examples — understand step by step how to apply each approach.
• Open Q&A
• Highly interactive session
• Special and complex clinical scenarios
• Discussion on IOL selection and calculation, and much more
Coordinators:
Marcony R. Santhiago, Carla Medeiros, Claudia Morgado, and Natalia Amorim
4:30 PM - 10:30 PM Practical WET/DRY LABs
There will be more than 40 wet/dry labs in 3 time slots per night, divided into 16 rooms during the course days – see the wet labs on the "wet labs" page.
Saturday, March 28th
Therapeutic Refractive Surgery Part I: Visual Rehabilitation with Excimer Laser
7:30 AM Excimer Laser in Patients with Amblyopia
Effect of anisometropia on the predictability and precision of refractive surgery
Claudia Morgado
7:40 AM Special Ablations in Refractive Surgery
Luisa Anaya
7:50 AM Indications and Planning for PTK
Understanding which corneal opacities can be treated with this technique
Ramon Ghanem
8:10 AM Topography-Guided Surgery in Irregular Corneas
Small optical zones, decentration, irregular astigmatism, scars, or complaints of imperfect vision, including post-incisional RK
Marcony R. Santhiago
8:30 AM Special Lecture – 10 Years of REFRATIVA R.I.O.
Refractive Surgery: A History of Continuous Innovation
Cesar Carriazo
From the early days of the microkeratome—whose development he directly helped advance—to the consolidation of the femtosecond laser, this lecture presents the living history of refractive surgery through the perspective of someone who helped build it. Cesar Carriazo shares decades of experience in continuous innovation, highlighting technological milestones, key lessons learned, and the evolution of surgical thinking that shaped the present and continues to guide the future of refractive surgery.
Presbyopia and Excimer Laser – Part I
8:50 AM Strategies to Mitigate the Effects of Presbyopia with Excimer Laser
Patient selection and defining realistic expectations
Effectiveness of excimer laser for presbyopia
Concepts and available treatment strategies
Marcony R. Santhiago
9:40 AM Excimer Laser in Patients with Previous Cataract Surgery and Residual Refractive Error
LASIK vs PRK after cataract surgery?
How much does the implanted IOL model influence the laser technique for residual correction?
Glauco Mello
10:00 AM Special Lecture – 10 Years of REFRATIVA R.I.O.
TED Talk
Marcony R. Santhiago
10:15 Fiuza Award ceremony for Best Scientific e-Posters
10:20 Coffee Break offered by REFRATIVA R.I.O. to replenish your energy
11:00 Cataract Surgery in irregular corneas
Bruno Trindade
Keratoconus and CrossLinking
We Need to Talk About This
11:10AM The Genetic Environment of the Patient with Keratoconus
Gene Therapy in Keratoconus Patients: What is Real?
Rosália Antunes-Foschini
11:20AM Hormonal Evaluation of the Patient with Keratoconus
Larissa Stival
11:30AM Crosslinking – Everything I Need to Know
Keratoconus: Natural History of the Disease
Criteria for Progression and Management Flowchart for Ectatic Disease
Beyond UV Light: The Role of Riboflavin and Its Carrier
Marcony Santhiago
Correct Indications and Outcomes: When to Treat?
Crosslinking in the pediatric age
How to Know if it Failed and When?
Different Techniques and Customization
Marcony Santhiago
13:00 Sponsored LUNCH Time with lunch box
Schwind / Rocol Symposium
30 Years of Schwind Technology: A Story of Success and Continuous Improvement
Cesar Carriazo
FORESIGHT Intelligent Mathematical Prediction Platform
Ramon Ghanem
PresbyMAX as a Universe of Possibilities for Presbyopia (final title pending)
Ruben Berrospi
ATOS Lenticule Extraction
14:10 Round table: Discussion of clinical situations and illustrative cases
Coordination: Marcony Santhiago and Claudia Morgado
Discussants: Ramon Ghanem, Glauco Mello, Carla Medeiros, Adriana Forseto, Marcia Toledo
Maja Bohac, Cesar Carriazo, Carlos Gordillo, Wallace Chamon e Paulo Schor
Patient Dilated and with Significant Refractive Difference: How Much of the Hyperopia Should Be Treated?
Static or Dynamic Refraction Correct? | Astigmatism: Principal Axis or Refractive Axis?
Patient Has an Exam and Wants to Operate. But They Are Still Very Young or Have a Very Thin Cornea.
What Do Experts Advise You to Do?
Patient Is Not Satisfied; What Could Be Wrong?
The Epithelium Does Not Close; What to Do?
Cataract or Cornea: Where to Go? | How to Treat Dry Eye?
Myopic Presbyopic Patient: What Is the Best Option? And What If You Are Hyperopic?
Altered Topography and Normal Tomography: Can I Operate?
Is This Cornea Too Thin, or Can It Be Operated On?
Questions Like These and Many Others in 2 Hours of Discussion with Lightness and Information
15:55 Awards for Best Photos and Posts
4:00PM Coffee Break offered by REFRATIVA R.I.O. to replenish your energy
Special Session IV
COMPLICATION STATION – 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Two hours focused on everything you need to know about intraoperative and postoperative complications.
• Numerous case examples
• How to recognize and manage complications
• Open Q&A
• Highly interactive session
Coordinators: Marcony R. Santhiago, Renata Bueno, and Claudia Morgado
4:30 PM - 10:30 PM Practical WET/DRY LABs
There will be more than 40 wet/dry labs in 3 time slots per night, divided into 16 rooms during the course days – see the wet labs on the "wet labs" page.
Sunday, March 29th
New Drugs Available
7:30 AM Autologous Serum Eye Drops: Rationale and Indications
Lycia Pedral
7:40 AM Topical Insulin and Alternative Therapies for Neurotrophic Keratopathy
Lycia Pedral
Beyond Excimer Laser
Therapeutic Refractive Surgery – Part II
7:50 AM Therapeutic Keratopigmentation
Alexandre X. da Costa
8:00 AM Keratoprosthesis and Ocular Surface Reconstruction: Indications and Innovations
Aline Moriyama
8:10 AM CAIRS – Corneal Allogenic Intrastromal Ring Segment
Carlos Gordillo
8:20 AM Phakic IOL in Keratoconus Patients
Can it be an option for visual correction in these patients?
Carlos Gordillo
8:30 AM Pinhole Implant for Irregular Corneas
Bruno Trindade
8:40 AM Surgical Corneal Remodeling in Eyes with Ectasia
Cesar Carriazo
8:50 AM How Contact Lenses Can Support the Cornea Surgeon
When subspecialties complement each other
Terla Castro
Presbyopia Beyond Excimer Laser
9:00 AM Perspectives: Pharmacologic Treatment for Presbyopia
Marcela Barros
9:10 AM Biometry and IOL Calculation After Refractive Surgery
Key fundamental aspects and formulas
Practical tips for biometry and IOL calculation: sharing my experience
Biometry in patients with keratoconus or PMD
Felipe Taguchi
9:30 AM Trifocal vs Extended Depth of Focus IOLs: Differences and Current Indications
Armando Crema
9:50 AM Perspectives: Lens Surgery in the Presbyopic Ametropic Patient
Armando Crema
10:00 AM IOLs for Presbyopia After Laser Refractive Surgery: Details That Matter
Marcela Barros
10:15 AM Refractive Solutions with Supplementary IOLs: Methods and Indications
Adriana Forseto
10:30 am Coffee Break offered by REFRATIVA R.I.O. to replenish your energy
Cataract, Cornea, and the Implications of Advanced Surgical Optics
11:00 AM Prevention and Management of Positive and Negative Dysphotopsias
Juliana Feijó
11:15 AM Cataract Surgery in Patients with Phakic IOLs
How to plan and how to perform the procedure technically
Natalia Amorim
11:30 AM Cataract Surgery in Patients with Keratoconus
Harumi Burga
11:45 AM Introducing MIGS for the Anterior Segment Surgeon
Options and indications
Luis Beniz
12:00 PM Astigmatism Management in Cataract Patients
Incision vs Toric IOL
Natalia Amorim
Surgical Visual Rehabilitation
We Need to Talk About It
12:10 PM Why Should We Learn Intrastromal Ring Surgery?
Frederico Bicalho
12:15 PM Key Tips for Indication and Selection of Intrastromal Rings
Frederico Bicalho
12:30 PM Intrastromal Rings for High Myopia
Sandro Coscarelli
12:45 PM Rings in Advanced Cases
What to do in eyes with very high keratometry?
Jordana Sandes
1:00 PM Closing Session – Sadly It’s Over, but Next Year There Will Be More
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*Between July and October, there will be review classes exclusively for alumni covering the main topics of the course.
**ALSO Extra video classes are available as supplementary material for students of REFRATIVA R.I.O.
This material complements the theoretical scientific program, but given the heterogeneous demand from students, we understand that it is more appropriate to make it available on-demand (online).
We also remind you that in addition to these video classes, we provide video material on the topics of our wet/dry labs.
Still on refractive surgery:
How to Use Phorcides for Topography-Guided Surgery
Mark Lobanoq explains this software developed to assist in the planning of guided surgical treatments with Contoura.
LASEK (not LASIK) and EpiLasik
Adriana Tytiun
Beyond the Excimer Laser Part II:
Residual Astigmatism: The Missing Link
Douglas Koch
FLACS: Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
Technique in Details, Refractive Results, Safety, and Cost-Benefit
Charles Lin
Nanotechnology and Drug Delivery Systems for Topical Ocular Therapy
David Smaja
Light Adjustable Lens
Larissa Gouvea
Diving Deeper into the Cornea:
Critical Analysis: Rho Kinase (ROCK) Inhibitors and Surgical Procedures
Aline Moriyama
Practical Tips in Refraction for Patients with Keratoconus
Rosália Antunes-Foschini
Therapeutic Ceratopigmentation
Corneal Prosthesis:
Visual Rehabilitation, Technique, Indications, and Available Models
Geetha Ayer
Endothelial Cell Regeneration Therapy
Ellen Koo
MIGS: Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery
Vitor Cvintal
How to Use Imaging Tests in Planning Transplants
Danyelle Medeiros
DALK
Ramon Ghanem
DMEK – Endothelial Keratoplasty
Nicolás Pereira
DWEK – Descemet's Membrane Stripping without Endothelial Keratoplasty
Lucio Maranhão
PDEK: Pre-Descemet Endothelial Keratoplasty
Amar Agarwal
In a detailed structured way, the course addresses, in a storytelling format, from basic to advanced, everything the surgeon needs to know.
Therefore, the REFRATIVA R.I.O. is not just about surgical techniques;
AND when it talks about techniques, it goes far beyond excimer laser, PRK, and LASIK.
The structure of our scientific program, which is updated every year,
follows the sequence below:
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What we need to know in the refractive surgery candidate's first consultation
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We will also talk about how the clinic's structure should be to increase the flow of uptake and conversion ethically and even how to make a text of informed consent based on the suggestions of regulatory bodies.
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Then we will learn together how to evaluate the surface, examine all the layers of the cornea with a slit lamp with a refractive surgery possibility perspective, and calmly detail everything about dry eye, its diagnosis, and treatment.
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Let's understand together what we need to see in each exam, what we look for, and what to do depending on each finding.
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Then we will evaluate all imaging exams with classes and discussions with experienced speakers who will present and discuss all available topography and tomography devices.
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To go deeper into this, in addition to the theoretical classes for each device, we have special sessions and dry labs where the student understands exactly how to use each display.
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After understanding what the findings in the imaging exams mean, we also talk about the indications and the construction of our flowchart to define the direction to go and, if applicable, the best surgical technique.
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We then entered the classes on techniques and talked about all of them, either in the main room, the special sessions, or the dry labs. We cover everything you need to know.
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All this is combined with a construction that goes from the most basic to the most innovative. Every year we add new classes, and even themes from previous years are carefully updated with publications so recent that sometimes they are from the month in which the course takes place; such is our obsession with up-to-date teaching.
Everything said above applies to
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surface exam and dry eye
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all about imaging exams (including the latest generation)
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All about excimer laser planning of all models
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Everything about techniques like PRK, LASIK, lenticule extraction (ex SMILE or CLEAR), phakic IOL, keratoconus, crosslinking, and intrastromal ring segment implantation and more.
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In addition, we set aside prime time for presbyopia treatment with planning and selection of excimer for presbyopia strategy, presbyopia IOL selection and planning (all models for cataract patients and clear lens extraction), toric IOL selection and planning, and other news.
There is a lot more
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The special sessions cover everything about other corneal surgeries such as DMEK, DALK, new treatments, and medications.
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And a thematic session with everything you need to know about business, administration, and taxes with experienced speakers in this area.
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This is just a summary of everything that happens in this great experience that is REFRATIVA R.I.O. with more than 100 classes and more than 40 wet labs, in addition to special sessions, live discussion tables, and interviews.
OUR APPROACH
We Empower You to Reach Your Full Potential
At REFRATIVA R.I.O., we believe that education is the key to unlocking your full potential. That's why our approach is centered around providing you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed.
Our team of expert educational consultants works with you to create a personalized learning experience that meets your unique needs and goals. We offer a wide range of educational services, including training, coaching, and mentoring, all designed to help you reach your full potential.
WE ARE INTERNATIONAL
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ENGLISH | SPANISH | PORTUGUESE
At REFRATIVA R.I.O., we believe that education is the key to unlocking your full potential. That's why our approach is centered around providing you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed.
Our team of expert educational consultants works with you to create a personalized learning experience that meets your unique needs and goals. We offer a wide range of educational services, including training, coaching, and mentoring, all designed to help you reach your full potential.
Our Journey So Far
2016
REFRATIVA R.I.O. IS FOUNDED
REFRATIVA R.I.O. was founded with a mission to provide refractive surgery education like never seen before. Our team of experts has been working tirelessly to create a unique learning experience that is both clear and logical, providing all relevant data in a didactic way.
NEWS & EVENTS
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