I attended a cataract-surgery-course in Cairo, based on recommendations of colleagues of

 mine from Jordan and Iraq who did the same course earlier.

My course was for 1 week, and commenced in April 2021.

I’m writing this review as the course comes to an end and I’m preparing to fly back to UK, where I work.

I’d like to describe this overly positive experience.

First, arranging for the course was very easy. The centre has a website where they have all the contact details. Personally, I took the contacts from my colleagues. Two lovely ladies are in charge of coordination and arrangements; Mahinaz and Doa’. They’re very cooperative, punctual, and flexible. I basically let them know of the kind of training I’m looking for and my timeframe, and they arranged things for me accordingly. Of Course I had to book a couple of months ahead as they’re very busy. They also helped sort accommodation (hotel) for my stay, upon my request.

Second, arriving to Egypt went smooth. Egypt is one of the countries that has very low Covid incidence. Life is going relatively normal. Weather in Cairo was very good; sunny and moderately warm. The city is safe, and all facilities are available. People are generally very friendly and welcoming.

Third, I arrived to Cairo over a weekend, which is Friday in here, and started the course on a Saturday. The centre operates Saturday through Thursday. Arriving to the centre, my first impression was that it’s much smaller than what I expected, considering their widely spread reputation. It’s a small centre within a commercial building. It’s clean and well-maintained inside. The team are welcoming and friendly. This includes receptionists, nurses, and doctors. It’s an overly positive atmosphere.

They have three operation theaters, with very good machines. They use Leica/Zeiss microscopes, and they have Two Infinity phaco-machines and one Oertli machine. My training was on the Infinity machine, which is widely used in Europe.

The training team includes one consultant; dr Hussein Mustafa, and Two specialists; dr Atef and dr Asem. They work as a collaborative team. They’re a group of very skillful doctors both academically and surgically, and they’re very experienced in teaching. At least one to two doctors are supporting the trainee at any point in time. There is no overlap with other trainees, so every trainee gets the full time and support they need.

The training is planned and organized in the term that it’s progressive and tailored to the trainee’s level.

First day included theoretical teaching (phaco dynamics and phaco steps) by Dr Atef, who is very passionate about what he does and very happy to receive questions. My surgical training was mainly under Dr Hussein, with the support of dr Asem. Both very competent surgeons.

 

The selection of cases was very smart and thought- through, progressing from straight forward mild cataracts to more complex ones. The number of surgeries per day was progressive as well, starting from only two surgeries per day, to up to six surgeries per day. The team stressed that their target is to allow the doctor to master the techniques rather than count number of surgeries; it’s about the ‘How’ not the ‘How much’. I went from just performing certain maneuvers to understanding why each step is done. I was given a lot of valuable hints and tips that I couldn’t have found in text books.

The training doctors were extremely supporting, very passionate about what they do, positive, calm, relaxed and unrushed, yet very skillful and attentive. I was given the confidence to operate on my own, and I had the full support to contain and halt any possible complication.

 

Regarding the cataract surgeries, patients are identified through the outreach clinics, and the organization provides full transport, treatment, and follow up for them. The whole team makes sure that the best treatment is delivered to those patients. Additionally, many of the patients who are referred to center with complex cases have their surgeries done by the consultant or specialists, to insure best outcomes. The patients are very appreciative and pleased by the treatment they receive. Knowing that by taking this course I’m contributing to this humanitarian cause is a satisfying fulfilling feeling.

 

Fourth, the social aspect of the this trip.

During the course, the team was very generous. the coordinators was supportive all the way, and helped sort several things like food, Covid, PCR testing for travel etc. I was offered complementary Egyptian food at the center, and another trainee and I were invited and some of the doctors at the center, for dinner at a cruise in the Nile. We were also taken on a drive around some of the ancient areas in central Cairo. I felt that was very heart-warming.

 

Overall, I feel that this was a very positive experience. I can tell that I have progressed in cataract surgery, and I’m so excited to apply the new skills i learned in my future career. I believe that I have made a wise investment.

To this end, I would like to thank all the team. Thanks to dr Hussein, dr Asem and dr Atef for their dedication, and exquisite teaching techniques.

Thank you for supporting me through this stage of my career, And thank you for having me.

Hope we can meet again soon.

Best wishes

The phaco training course, which I attended, was highly interesting and didactic exceeding my initial expectations.

The organizers, the doctors and all staff of the ophthalmic center were very hospitable and eager to adjust all the details before and during my stay in Cairo.

Dr. Atef , my personal supervisor and mentor, is a perfect surgeon, but apart from this, he is an exceptional teacher, who conveys the secrets of the art of cataract surgery in his unique way. Dr. Hussein, the medical director of the center, is a very skilled surgeon, always willing to share his knowledge and experience. I highly recommend this course for a beginner surgeon or for one who seeks to improve his/her performance

The phaco training course, which I attended, was highly interesting and didactic exceeding my initial expectations.

The organizers, the doctors and all staff of the ophthalmic center were very hospitable and eager to adjust all the details before and during my stay in Cairo.

Dr. Atef , my personal supervisor and mentor, is a perfect surgeon, but apart from this, he is an exceptional teacher, who conveys the secrets of the art of cataract surgery in his unique way. Dr. Hussein, the medical director of the center, is a very skilled surgeon, always willing to share his knowledge and experience. I highly recommend this course for a beginner surgeon or for one who seeks to improve his/her performance

Trained on Vitrectomy, ECCE, SICS, Phaco with Iris Hooks & Lasik

It is really good, people are very helpful and well organized course.

Dr Hussein is a very good teacher, he helped us much. Thank you very much

Trained on: phacoemulsification, ECCE, trabeculectomy

the course was fruitful. I gain experience in surgery especially in phaco, I am grateful to dr. atef for previous tips during operation and I thank dr. hussein for patience, he is very good teacher.

All people were very helpful. thanks to all staff for their help and kindness

excellent place for training, instructors are cooperative with advises and information. variety of cases and surgeries are managed very good

I am very happy to enjoy this course, best training and family staff.

Thank you from all specifically Dr. Hussein  & Mrs. Mahinaz

I would like to thank the hospital for their kind informative excellent teaching in phaeco course during my stay in cairo

Special thanks to dear prof Dr Hussein who kindly give his tricks even if he didnt come!

Many special thanks and respect to Dr Asim the amazing person in teaching me step bu step many regards to him.. also Dr Atif the first kind senior I met gave me instructions and notes beside his kind notes in training , and the gentle lady dr Hanan who stayed with me for 1 wk totally concentrate in my work she was so waw in teaching,, special thanks to madam Mahinaz the kind organize who gives every help to all .. i would like to thank madam mahi who was the first person to deal with regarding my training..so many thanks to staff doaa, mahmood, ahmed, mohamed, israa, asmaa, iman, sumaya, umnia, sheren and beautiful ridha who all were very kind with me with friendly dealing …I recomended this centre which deserves five stars and above in training hands on

Really i didnt find any negative points to mention it .. except existence of dr hussein who is very important to trainers!!

Thanks for giving me this chance to have a training with you.

The training is very good, doctors deal great job with me to upgrade my surgical skills in DCR.

I will be happy to have more courses with your association in the near future.

With my regards

Hi!

Thanks for everything

100% recommended Lasik and Cataract surgery, thanks to Dr. Ahmed and all the specialists. Very friendly nurses and the whole team.

Excellent work team and for sure I will back

For any ophthalmologists whom they want to increase their surgical skills: I am Dr. Karwan from Kurdistan of Iraq, I participated in a Vitreoretinal surgery course for one month. Honestly I got huge benefit from the course, thanks EOTA and Professor Dr. Hussein Mustafa that helped me to operate the VR cases indepnedntly with confidence.Now I am a Vitreoretinal Surgeon :)