ESASO Foundation
Fondazione Scuola Europea di Studi Avanzati in Oftalmologia | |
| Abbreviation | ESASO |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2008 |
| Type | Nonprofit foundation |
| Purpose | Postgraduate education in ophthalmology, clinical research |
| Headquarters | Lugano, Switzerland |
Region served | International |
| Website | www |
ESASO (European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology) is a Swiss nonprofit foundation based in Lugano, Switzerland. Founded in 2008, the organization provides postgraduate and continuing medical education in ophthalmology and supports clinical research in the field. ESASO is known for its international training programs, fellowships, and digital learning platforms designed for ophthalmologists.[1]
History and Mission
The foundation was established in 2008 in Lugano, in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, Switzerland. Its mission is to advance ophthalmic education through hands-on training, academic courses, and the promotion of scientific exchange and clinical research.[1] ESASO was created in response to a growing demand for structured surgical and clinical training in ophthalmology beyond standard medical education.
Educational Programs
ESASO offers modular postgraduate training in subspecialties such as:
- Cataract and refractive surgery
- Glaucoma
- Retina and vitreoretinal surgery
- Cornea and ocular surface
- Oculoplastics
The foundation also operates surgical wet labs and offers CME-accredited courses.[2] In addition, ESASO manages the eLOS platform (ESASO Learning Online System), which provides digital access to surgical videos, lectures, and interactive materials. As of 2024, the platform had over 16,000 registered users worldwide.[2]
Campuses and Global Presence
The main academic and training campus is located in Lugano, with additional centers or collaborations in:
- Parma, Italy: A center of excellence in glaucoma training, launched in partnership with the University of Parma in 2021.[3]
- Lublin, Poland
- Singapore: Regional training programs in Asia-Pacific.[4]
In 2023, a new 400 m² training center was inaugurated near the hospitals of Lugano, equipped with a wet lab and a classroom.[5]
Research and ESASO Plus
ESASO Plus is the foundation’s initiative supporting multicenter clinical trials and scientific publications. It fosters partnerships with universities, hospitals, and industry to promote innovation in ophthalmology.[6]
In 2024, a study published in Ophthalmology and Therapy used the ESASO classification to assess the prognosis of diabetic macular edema.[7]
Partnerships and Supporters
While keeping the scientific divulgation free of any corporate bias or commerical interest, ESASO collaborates with a network of international institutions and corporate partners, including:
- Medical and pharmaceutical companies (e.g., Bayer, Roche, Essilor)
- Scientific societies such as the ESCRS, SOE, and national ophthalmological organizations.[1]
Governance
The foundation is overseen by a board of trustees and a scientific committee composed of recognized ophthalmologists, educators, and researchers.[1]
See also
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "ESASO – The European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology Foundation". Touch Ophthalmology. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Occhio alla vista". Corriere del Ticino (in italiano). 15 May 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ↑ "Esaso apre un centro di eccellenza sul glaucoma a Parma". laRegione (in italiano). 9 December 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ↑ "ESASO Training Centres". ESASO. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ↑ "A Lugano un centro di formazione per l'oftalmologia". laRegione (in italiano). 15 March 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ↑ "ESASO Plus". ESASO. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ↑ Rosenfeld, E. (May 2024). "Enhancing Diabetic Macular Edema Prognosis Using the ESASO Classification System". Ophthalmology and Therapy. 13 (5): 1383–1398. doi:10.1007/s40123-024-00925-y. PMC 11039609 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 38530567 Check|pmid=value (help).
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