1st SEMESTER

A1. Basic Sciences in Ophthalmology

Students are introduced to the general principles of the basic sciences in Ophthalmology, including anatomy, physiology, histology, pathological anatomy, biology, genetics, medical physics, pharmacology, microbiology and health economics.

A2. Research Methodology

Students are introduced to the basic principles of statistics and research methodology.

A3. Imaging and Retinal Vascular Diseases

Students are introduced to retinal imaging methods (optical coherence tomography, optical coherence tomography angiography, autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, ultrasonography, electrophysiology) and to the pathology (diagnosis and management) of retinal vascular diseases (diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions, hypertensive retinopathy, haemoglobinopathies, telangiectasias, Coats disease).

A4. Acquired, Hereditary, Neoplastic and Inflammatory Retinal Diseases

Students are introduced to the pathology (diagnosis and management) of acquired, hereditary, neoplastic and inflammatory retinal diseases (age-related macular degeneration, pachychoroid disease spectrum, myopic choroidal neovascularisation, angioid streaks, retinal dystrophies, chorioretinal tumours, posterior uveitis, cystoid macular oedema).

2nd SEMESTER

B1. Pathophysiology of Vitreoretinal Surgical Diseases

Students are introduced to the physiology and pathophysiology of vitreoretinal diseases (vitreomacular traction syndrome, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, retinal detachment, vitreous haemorrhage, ocular trauma).

B2. Imaging and Vitreoretinal Diseases

Students are introduced to the clinical and imaging features of vitreoretinal diseases (vitreomacular traction syndrome, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, retinal detachment, vitreous haemorrhage, ocular trauma).

B3. Basic Principles of Surgery

Students are introduced to the basic principles of surgery for vitreoretinal diseases (vitreomacular traction syndrome, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, retinal detachment, vitreous haemorrhage, ocular trauma) and the techniques used (vitrectomy, scleral buckling, pneumatic retinopexy, etc.).

B4. Surgical Videos

Videos of cases involving the surgical management of vitreoretinal diseases are presented.

3rd SEMESTER

C1. Practical Training in Medical Retina

for 6 weeks.

C2. Practical Training in Retinal Surgery

for 6 weeks.

The Practical Training courses (Clinical Training) of the 3rd semester last twelve weeks. Students are divided into groups of equal size and trained at the 1st and 2nd University Departments of Ophthalmology of NKUA. Training includes students' participation in following patients seen in the Outpatient Clinics and in the specialised retina and vitreous units of these departments, as well as observing posterior segment surgery in these departments and practical training in wet labs. Training takes place under the supervision of the teaching staff and includes the analysis of patient cases.

In addition, in the last (13th) week of the semester, students attend a three-day seminar on the latest developments in retinal pathology and surgery, with the participation of internationally recognised speakers from abroad.

4th SEMESTER

Master's Thesis

Master's theses may be review theses or research theses.

Review theses. These consist of a review of a topic in the literature. The total length of the thesis should not exceed 50 pages, including references. Submission of the thesis for publication in a Greek or international medical journal is encouraged.

Research theses. Students work together to complete a research project (basic, experimental or clinical research) under the supervision of a member of the Coordinating Committee or of the other teaching staff. The aim is to produce a research paper to be published in an international medical journal, with the students listed as first or second author. The total length should not exceed 50 pages, including references, and consists of an initial general part of up to 20 pages and a specific part.