Dr Vachira SONTICHAI

2nd year of Cornea and Refractive surgery fellow

Department of Ophthalmology, Ramathibodi Hospital

Mahidol University, Bangkok
Thailand

After attended this elective program, it had widen my horizon.

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to ACS Santen Grant for a great opportunity in allowing me to participate in Observership Program, which I took part from November 20th to December 1st 2017. Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine had facilitated this educational experience by interacting variety of cases and how to manage each cases.

My field of interest were endothelial cell transplantation, corneal transplant, and ocular surface surgical technique. After attended this elective program, it had widen my horizon. I’ve intended to assist my patients back in Thailand by applying knowledge that I’ve learned from your respectable institution.

In KPUM, I attended outpatient cases in cornea clinic with Prof. Sotozono and Dr. Inatomi such as Steven Johnson syndrome, post corneal transplant, corneal ulcer, peripheral corneal disease, corneal dystrophy etc. I’ve learned various procedures such as diagnosis, process of thinking, and management. Typically, medications used for treatment in Thailand were different, and some were not be available. I think this course provide valuable insight which could become guideline, and apply to my patient. I was also interested in specimen examinations such as HSV immunoassay testing, fungal smear by fungi flora. The course includes Cornea morning activity on Monday. And after outpatient clinic, Prof. Sotozono brought interesting cases to educate residents. Although the clinic was busy, but they explained thoroughly and patiently translated to me in English language. Everyone was very kind.

In operating room, I observed Lamella keratoplasty, Large CIN excision, difficult DSAEK cases that were performed by Prof. Kinoshita. Dr. Yokoi did the surgery due to dry eye disease; Ptosis correction and conjunctivochalasis excision, that used special techniques. I had an opportunity to observe surgical cases at Baptist hospital. I attended Band keratopathy removal by using Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) and Femtosecond laser for cataract surgery.

In dry eye clinic, I practiced to classify fluorescein tear pattern, treatment and follow up cases. Dr.Yokoi used few topical drugs to improve dry eyes symptoms and signs. He explained every cases and was always willing to answer all my questions.

I was impressed in Contact Lens clinic. There were many types of contact lens for correction refractive error, corneal ectasia and irregular cornea surface. They can instantly adjust power and base curve to each patient corneal curve, best corrected visual acuity, unfortunately those contact lens were only available in Japan. I had a chance to discuss how to choose suitable base curve, diameter, contact lens fitting, fluorescein pattern identification.

I listened Prof. Kinoshita’s lecture about endothelial cell transplant at Chulalongkorn-KPUM Joint Meeting 2017. I feel very fortunate to be able to observe corneal endothelial cell culture laboratory and others research rooms.

In the last week, Prof. Sotozono allowed me to join KCC meeting 2017 at Westin Miyoko hotel, Kyoto. It’s good opportunity for me to meet famous Japanese cornea ophthalmologists. Most topics are new Japanese research. I’m interested in intention to develop better research. It’s driving force that I want to be.

Finally I want to thank you all KPUM staff, residents and related persons for any help and kindness to me. I have a wonderful experiences and encouragement to deploy good ethical practices. Once again, thank you ACS Grant again for support me and I hope to continue a good project for new generation cornea ophthalmologists.