FIRST SEMESTER (30 ECTS)

A1. Basic Sciences in Ophthalmology (7 ECTS)

Students will become familiar with the general principles of basic sciences in Ophthalmology, including anatomy, physiology, histology, pathological anatomy, biology, genetics, medical physics, pharmacology, microbiology, and health economics.

Lecture Topics:

• Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye and Retina
• Embryology and Histology of the Eye
• Embryological and Genetic Abnormalities
• Introduction to Neuroimaging
• Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanisms in Retinal Diseases
• Gene Therapy
• Molecular Techniques: Applications in Ophthalmology and Retinal Diseases
• Inherited Retinal Dystrophies (IRD): Genetic Basis and Genetic Counseling
• Laboratory Biomarkers in Ophthalmology, Retinal Diseases, and Inflammation
• Medical Liability and Ethics
• Personal Data Protection in Medical Practice
• Pharmaceutical Policy
• Introduction to Nanomedicine: Applications in Ophthalmology and Retinal Diseases
• Applications of Radiotherapy in Retinal Diseases and Ocular Oncology – Part 1/2
• Applications of Radiotherapy in Retinal Diseases and Ocular Oncology – Part 2/2
• Cardiology Meets the Retina
• Retinal Diseases Associated with Cardiovascular Conditions
• Laboratory Investigation of Uveitis
• Flow Cytometry
• Health Economics

A2. Research Methodology (8 ECTS)

Students will become familiar with the fundamental principles of statistics and research methodology.

Lecture Topics:

• Introduction to Research Methodology
• Basic Principles of Causal Relationships and Association Tests
• Parametric and Non-Parametric Tests for Continuous Variables
• Statistical Assessment of Associations Between Categorical Variables
• Basic Principles of Clinical Studies
• Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis
• Clinical Studies and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Guidelines
• Management of Patients Participating in Clinical Trials
• Selection of Clinical Trial Centers
• Types of Studies and Descriptive Epidemiology
• Types of Variables, Distributions, and Descriptive Statistics
• Epidemiological Indicators and Study Design
• Analytical Epidemiology: Relative Risk, Attributable Risk, and Confidence Intervals
• Clinical Epidemiology: Sensitivity, Specificity, and Diagnostic Accuracy
• Database Design and Management Using Excel
• Introduction to Multivariable Linear Regression and Generalized Linear Models
• Logistic Regression
• Prospective Studies and Cox Regression
• Practical Applications of Statistical Software
• Purpose and Methodology of Master's Thesis Writing
• Guidelines for Writing a Scientific Publication
• How to Write a Master's Thesis

A3. Retinal Imaging and Vascular Diseases (7 ECTS)

Students will become familiar with retinal imaging techniques, including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A), fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, ultrasonography, and electrophysiology.

The course also covers the diagnosis and management of retinal vascular diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions, hypertensive retinopathy, hemoglobinopathies, telangiectasias, and Coats disease.

Lecture Topics:

• Fundus Autofluorescence and Fluorescein Angiography
• Indocyanine Green Angiography
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and OCT Angiography
• Visual Fields and Microperimetry
• Multimodal Imaging in Clinical Practice
• Ocular Ultrasonography: Clinical Examples
• Retinopathy of Prematurity
• Low Vision Aids
• Retinal Artery Occlusion
• Retinal Vein Occlusion
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Hemoglobinopathies, Hyperviscosity Syndrome, and Purtscher–Valsalva Syndromes
• Retinal Telangiectasias
• Eales Disease
• Coats Disease
• Sources of Imaging Data
• Introduction to Image Processing
• Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysm
• Hypertensive Retinopathy
• Ocular Ischemic Syndrome
• Clinical Case Presentations and Differential Diagnosis

A4. Acquired, Hereditary, Neoplastic, and Inflammatory Retinal Diseases (8 ECTS)

Students will study the diagnosis and management of acquired, hereditary, neoplastic, and inflammatory retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, pachychoroid spectrum disorders, myopic choroidal neovascularization, angioid streaks, retinal dystrophies, chorioretinal tumors, posterior uveitis, and cystoid macular edema.

Lecture Topics:

• Basic Principles of Retinal Laser Therapy
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
• Retinal Angiomatous Proliferation (RAP)
• Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy
• Photodynamic Therapy for Retinal Diseases
• Retinal and Choroidal Tumors
• Clinical Electrophysiology
• Intraocular Lymphoma, Sympathetic Ophthalmia, and Intermediate Uveitis
• Autoimmune Retinopathies
• Idiopathic Chorioretinopathies
• Irvine–Gass Syndrome and Cystoid Macular Edema
• Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization
• Dome-Shaped Maculopathy
• Angioid Streaks and Choroidal Rupture
• Miscellaneous Retinopathies: Photochemical Injury, Drug Toxicity, Radiation-Related Retinopathy, and Pregnancy-Related Retinopathy
• Infectious Posterior Uveitis – Part 1/2
• Infectious Posterior Uveitis – Part 2/2
• Photoreceptor, Macular, and Choroidal Dystrophies
• The Use of OCT in Choroidal Diseases
• Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
• Non-Infectious Posterior Uveitis
• Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
• Pachychoroid Disease Spectrum

SECOND SEMESTER (30 ECTS)

B1. Pathophysiology of Surgical Vitreoretinal Diseases (7 ECTS)

Students will become familiar with the physiology and pathophysiology of vitreoretinal diseases, including vitreomacular traction syndrome, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, and ocular trauma.

Lecture Topics:

• Anatomy, Physiology, Embryology, and Histology of the Vitreous
• Vitreoretinal Interface
• Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome (VMT)
• Epiretinal Membrane
• Causes of Failure in Retinal Detachment Surgery – Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (PVR)
• Clinical Cases Involving the Management of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (PVR)
• Retinal Detachment with Giant Retinal Tears and Retinal Dialysis
• Clinical Case Discussions
• Pathophysiology of Diabetic Retinopathy
• Advanced Diabetic Retinal Disease: When Should Laser Treatment Be Discontinued?
• Vitrectomy Techniques in Tractional Retinal Detachment
• Hereditary Retinal Diseases: Introduction
• Combined Phacoemulsification and Vitrectomy
• Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy
• Coats Disease
• Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous (PHPV)
• Retinal Tumors: Retinoblastoma, Von Hippel–Lindau Hemangioma, and Vasoproliferative Tumors
• Pigmented Choroidal Tumors: Choroidal Nevus, Melanoma, and Retinal Pigment Epithelium Hypertrophy
• Amelanotic Choroidal Tumors: Metastases, Hemangioma, and Osteoma
• Gene Therapies in Medicine
• Interesting Clinical Cases Involving Hereditary Diseases
• Interesting Surgical Cases
• Clinical Cases: From Diagnosis to Treatment – Part 1/2
• Clinical Cases: From Diagnosis to Treatment – Part 2/2
• Macular Schisis
• Pathophysiology of Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy
• Recent Literature and New Techniques in the Management of Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy
• Medical Imaging and Terminology
• Endophthalmitis: Etiology and Pathogenesis

B2. Imaging and Vitreoretinal Diseases (8 ECTS)

Students will become familiar with the clinical and imaging characteristics of vitreoretinal diseases, including vitreomacular traction syndrome, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, and ocular trauma.

Lecture Topics:

• Basic Principles of Vitrectomy
• Three-Dimensional (3D) Vitrectomy
• Intraocular Tamponade Materials
• Complications of Intraocular Tamponade Materials
• Full-Thickness Macular Hole
• Myopia and Macular Holes
• New Techniques for Macular Hole Management
• Management of Retinal Detachment with Scleral Buckling
• Vitrectomy Versus Scleral Buckling for Retinal Detachment
• Retinal Detachment Surgical Videos
• Use of Heavy Liquids in Vitrectomy and Associated Toxicity
• Pneumatic Retinopexy
• Macular Folds and Microfolds Following Retinal Detachment Surgery
• Clinical Case Discussions
• Diabetic Macular Edema: Surgical Management
• Diabetic Macular Edema
• Diabetic Macular Edema: Conservative Management
• Guidelines for Writing a Case Report
• Ocular Ultrasonography
• Diagnosis and Clinical Case Discussions – Part 1/3
• Diagnosis and Clinical Case Discussions – Part 2/3
• Diagnosis and Clinical Case Discussions – Part 3/3
• Complications of Cataract Surgery: Zonular Instability – Part 1/2
• Complications of Cataract Surgery: Dropped Nucleus
• Clinical Cases Involving Boston Keratoprosthesis and Vitrectomy
• Management of Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy with Scleral Buckling
• Management of Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy with Vitrectomy: Case Presentations
• Corneal Considerations in Vitrectomy
• Clinical Cases Involving Combined Vitrectomy and Corneal Transplantation
• Management of Endophthalmitis: Literature Review
• Endogenous Endophthalmitis
• Masquerade Syndromes
• The Secrets of Retinal Imaging
• Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
• Artificial Intelligence and the Eye
• Artificial Intelligence and the Retina

B3. Basic Principles of Surgery (8 ECTS)

Students will be introduced to the fundamental principles of vitreoretinal surgery for conditions such as vitreomacular traction syndrome, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, and ocular trauma.

The course covers surgical techniques including vitrectomy, scleral buckling, pneumatic retinopexy, and related procedures.

Lecture Topics:

• Basic Principles of Surgical Antisepsis and Patient Preparation in Ophthalmology
• Basic Principles of Vitrectomy
• Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
• Management of Retinal Detachment with Vitrectomy
• Peripheral Retinal Degenerations
• Traumatic Macular Hole
• Recurrent Hemorrhages in Diabetic Patients: The Role of Anti-VEGF Therapy
• Diabetic Retinopathy Case Discussions
• Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling During Vitrectomy in Diabetic Eyes
• Ocular Trauma: Open-Globe Injuries and Suturing Techniques – Part 1/2
• Extraocular Foreign Bodies – Part 1/2
• Surgical Techniques and Biopsy in Cases of Intraocular Lymphoma
• Surgical Techniques in the Diabetic Eye
• Surgical Videos Demonstrating Techniques for Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachment
• Surgical Videos Demonstrating Techniques for Retinal Detachment
• Aphakia: Management Techniques
• Complications of Cataract Surgery: Zonular Instability – Part 2/2
• Retinal Trauma Surgical Videos – Part 1/3
• Retinal Trauma Surgical Videos – Part 2/3
• Retinal Trauma Surgical Videos – Part 3/3
• Ocular Trauma: Open-Globe Injuries and Suturing Techniques – Part 2/2
• Extraocular Foreign Bodies – Part 2/2
• OCT Angiography
• Diagnosis of Genetic Eye Diseases
• Surgical Management of Intraocular Tumors
• Retinoschisis
• Management of Retinal Detachment Associated with Retinoschisis

B4. Surgical Videos (7 ECTS)

Students will attend video demonstrations presented by faculty members, illustrating clinical cases involving the surgical treatment of vitreoretinal diseases.

Each student will also prepare and present a clinical case of their choice.

THIRD SEMESTER (30 ECTS)

All students will undergo a total of 12 weeks of practical clinical training in Medical Retina and Retinal Surgery, alternating between the two specialties every six weeks.

Additionally, students are required to participate in a one-week educational activity involving attendance at the Panhellenic Vitreoretinal Congress (GVRS).

C1. Clinical Training in Medical Retina (15 ECTS)

Students will undertake six weeks of practical training in the specialized Medical Retina departments of the First and Second University Ophthalmology Clinics.

During their training, students will participate in the clinical examination of patients with retinal diseases, as well as in the performance and interpretation of diagnostic imaging examinations, including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), OCT Angiography, Fluorescein Angiography, Fundus Autofluorescence, and Ocular Ultrasonography.

Students will also observe the diagnostic approach and therapeutic management of retinal diseases, including intravitreal injections, laser treatments, and photodynamic therapy.

Students will be divided into two groups. While one group participates in Medical Retina training, the other will undertake training in Retinal Surgery (C2). After six weeks, the groups will switch, ensuring that all students complete both practical training components.

C2. Clinical Training in Retinal Surgery (15 ECTS)

Students will undertake six weeks of practical training in the surgical retina departments of the First and Second University Ophthalmology Clinics.

During this period, students will observe various vitreoretinal surgical procedures, including:

• Vitrectomy
• Scleral Buckling
• Epiretinal Membrane Removal
• Macular Hole Surgery
• Retinal Detachment Surgery

Students will also participate in the observation of preoperative patient assessment and postoperative monitoring.

The practical training will take place in rotation with the Medical Retina clinical training (C1). After completing the six-week period, the two groups of students will exchange positions.

Every Tuesday, students will receive small-group training in microsurgical techniques.

Additionally, students will participate in three weekends of practical training using artificial eyes (Dry Lab). Two weekends will focus on vitrectomy and epiretinal membrane removal, while the third will focus on the implantation of Carlevale intraocular lenses.

Supplementary Educational Activities During the Third Semester

The following educational activities are included in the third-semester curriculum, in addition to the practical training components C1 and C2.

Hands-on Workshop on Master's Thesis and Scientific Article Writing

During a full weekend, students will receive practical training covering all stages of conducting a systematic review and preparing scientific publications.

The workshop will include:

• Searching Scientific Literature Databases
• Screening Titles and Abstracts
• Full-Text Article Review
• Data Extraction
• Quality Assessment of Scientific Studies
• Structure and Organization of Scientific Articles
• Scientific Writing Techniques
• Preparation and Writing of a Master's Thesis

Clinical Case Discussions

During scheduled meetings, faculty members will discuss clinical cases with students in the lecture hall.

These sessions will provide students with the opportunity to ask questions and clarify issues related to the surgical and medical retinal cases they observed during their practical training.

FOURTH SEMESTER (30 ECTS)

Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)

During the fourth semester, students are required to prepare and complete a Master's Thesis.

The available types of thesis are divided into two categories: literature review theses and research theses.

1. Literature Review Thesis

A literature review thesis involves a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on a selected topic.

The total length of the thesis must not exceed 50 pages, including bibliographic references.

Students are encouraged to submit their work for publication in a Greek or international medical journal.

2. Research Thesis

Students will collaborate on the completion of a research project involving basic, experimental, or clinical research.

The research will be conducted under the supervision of a member of the Programme's Coordinating Committee or another faculty member.

The objective is to produce an original research paper suitable for publication in an international medical journal, with the students listed as first or second authors.

The total length of the thesis must not exceed 50 pages, including bibliographic references.

The research thesis must consist of an introductory general section of up to 20 pages, followed by a specialized section presenting the research work.

ECTS CREDITS AND STUDENT WORKLOAD

To obtain the Master's Degree, students must successfully complete a total of 120 ECTS credits.

According to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), one ECTS credit corresponds to 25 hours of student workload.

Student workload includes all time required to achieve the learning outcomes of each course, not only classroom teaching hours. This includes attending lectures, clinical and practical training, reviewing scientific literature, independent study, completing assignments, and preparing for and participating in examinations.

The corresponding workload is calculated as follows:

The Master's Degree Programme consists of four semesters, each corresponding to 30 ECTS credits, for a total of 120 ECTS credits and 3,000 hours of student workload.