Unicamp ophthalmology resident concludes fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear

Paulo Rodolfo T. Barbisan, MD, is a former ophthalmology resident and vitreoretinal fellow of the University of Campinas (Unicamp). From November 2016 to July 2018 he accomplished a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Diseases at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, at Harvard Medical School, in Boston, USA.

Under supervision of Demetrios Vavvas MD, PhD, he worked in the Angiogenesis Laboratory performing basic science research in vitreoretinal diseases such as Retinal Detachment, Hereditary Retinal Degenerations and Age-Related Macular Degeneration, studying retinal neuroprotection, photoreceptor transplantation and energy interventions such as intermittent fasting. During his fellowship, he had the opportunity to see patients at the retina clinic under the supervision of well known names in ophthalmology like Dr. Joan Miller (Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, founder of therapies such as PDT and anti-angiogenic drugs), Dr. Dean Eliott, Dr. Demetrios Vavvas and Dr. Lucy Young. He attended grandrounds, conferences, courses at Harvard Medical School and presented his projects to the ophthalmology department during academic meetings. In addition, he had the opportunity to be present in vitreoretinal surgeries, cataracts, corneal transplantation with the use of keratoprosthesis, among others.

"It was an amazing experience to become a fellow at one of the best ophthalmology hospitals in the world and to be close with great names in the field to perform studies for new treatments and therapies for retinal diseases that affect a lot patients in the world. Also, bringing this knowledge to Brazil will contribute to achieve better studies and help more patients in our country."