23rd PAAO meeting under way in Buenos Aires

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Hundreds of ophthalmologists and members of ophthalmic industry are gathering here this week for 23rd Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology meeting.

Among the highlights from the opening day of the conference:

Both non-penetrative deep sclerectomy and phacoemulsification with trabeculectomy had similar results in the reduction of IOP, according to Alejandro F. Gonella, MD. Both of the techniques had similar visual results, but deep sclerectomy had fewer incidents of postop complications, according to results from the retrospective study of 44 eyes with cataract and diverse open angle glaucoma.

In other news, Project First Sight has been a valid alternative to eradicate cataract-induced blindness in adults without medical coverage in Latin America, according to Ricardo A. Goñi, MD. The project, which screens legally blind patients in Argentina, is dedicated to improving the overall condition of Latin American ophthalmology, creating more access to service and promoting public awareness of the field to the public. The project has run into some problems, however, such as insufficient or inappropriate data, problems with case registrations and erratic implementation of the program, according to Dr. Goñi.

Finally, PAAO gave Alice McPherson, MD, an award for humanitarian services for fellowships she established for Latin American physicians.

“We bring young doctors from Latin American countries to the United States for training in their subspecialty,” she said. According to Dr. McPherson, of the Retina Research Foundation of Houston, the fellowships were established to give Latin American physicians the opportunity and funding to further their studies in the U.S. within the different ophthalmic subspecialties.