AICCER 2024 National Congress leads the way in revolutionary ophthalmic surgery

International premiere: successful first remote-controlled refractive surgery performed in two distant locations

The 25th edition of the AICCER National Congress, organised by the AIM Group as full PCO, has once again positioned itself at the forefront of innovation in ophthalmic surgery. Held from 7 to 9 March at the La Nuvola Convention Centre, the event welcomed over 2,000 ophthalmic surgeons from all over Italy for a remarkable exchange of knowledge, experience and cutting-edge advances.

Expertly orchestrated by AIM Group, the congress proved to be a dynamic platform for collaboration and exploration. Attendees participated in 54 immersive educational sessions, including plenary discussions and break-out sessions, led by a line-up of 300 speakers that included national and international thought leaders. The emphasis on experiential learning was demonstrated by 15 live surgical procedures, including three complex procedures, performed at the San Carlo Hospital in Nancy. The procedures were projected in real time in the congress hall, fostering an interactive environment where delegates and speakers delved into the intricacies, asked questions and enriched their understanding together.

A real highlight of this edition was the historic moment when the first remote-controlled corneal refractive surgery was performed. On 8 March, Professor Giovanni Alessio, Director of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Bari Ophthalmic Hospital, remotely controlled and monitored a live surgery in real time using a 3D viewer while the patient underwent the procedure in the operating room of the San Carlo Hospital in Nancy. Using state-of-the-art 5G connectivity, the La Nuvola Congress Centre was seamlessly connected to the San Carlo Hospital in Nancy. This milestone not only demonstrates the convergence of technology and healthcare, but also underlines AICCER’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation.

The Congress also hosted seven WET LAB sessions, where participants had the opportunity to simulate surgical procedures using state-of-the-art instruments on artificial eyes, reinforcing the event’s commitment to hands-on learning.

“The AICCER Annual Congress has always been a moment of updating for the Italian community of ophthalmic surgeons, open to innovation and progress in knowledge and clinical practice. We wanted to organise, in our usual space dedicated to live surgical broadcasts, this innovative operation performed remotely and followed with great interest by many colleagues,” said Prof. Daniele Tognetto, President of AICCER, Full Professor at the University of Trieste and Director of the Operative Ophthalmology Clinical Unit at the Giuliano Isontina Trieste University Hospital.  “The possibility of remotely managing the stages of a surgical procedure is a new opportunity that favours the use of technologies that open up future perspectives that were unimaginable just a short time ago,” concludes Prof. Tognetto.

For more than 2,000 Italian ophthalmic surgeons, the AICCER National Congress is more than an annual event; it is a collective commitment to share diverse expertise and experiences for mutual growth and, most importantly, for the betterment of patients.

AIM Group, as the dedicated PCO behind this success, continues to be a driving force in fostering collaboration, advancing knowledge and shaping the future of ophthalmic surgery.