200 participants from 31 countries met from 6 to 8 August at the 17th International SCHWIND User Meeting in Lima, Peru. With the choice of this year's venue, the company continued its tradition of welcoming SCHWIND users on a different continent each time. Three fully packed days with high quality lectures, exchange of experience and personal encounters beyond the scientific programme characterised this year‘s meeting. At the „Customised to the Max“ workshop, experienced users presented numerous examples of what can be achieved with customised treatments. Centration strategies and the possibilities for determining the correct refraction were vividly discussed in the plenum. Further topics on the agenda: Experiences with SmartSmartSurfACE, including intensive discussions and tips pertaining to pain management and prevention of pain (medication, bandage lens and cooling), the high-resolution PERAMIS diagnostic system and satisfied patients with PresbyMAX.
The free paper session on treatment options and clinical results with the state-of-the-art excimer laser, SCHWIND AMARIS, was also highly appreciated. The scope of topics ranged from presentations about hyperopia and astigmatism treatment, through study results with 18,000 myopic and hyperopic eyes, to techniques for corneal transplantation. The International User Meeting proved to be an ideal platform for an intensive dialogue. The participants discussed their own experiences with PresbyMAX, TransPRK, hyperopia and diagnostic methods during four round table discussions with the speakers. Another highlight included difficult cases from the clinical practice of experienced SCHWIND users. The audience actively participated in the development of potential solutions. The balanced mix of guest lectures, practice-oriented workshops and discussions was very popular among the participants. Communicative networking continued even during leisure activities – for example, during a sightseeing tour through Lima. The participants not only got to know Peruvian culture and archaeological sites, but also tasted country-specific culinary delights such as Pisco and Ceviche. "The 17th SCHWIND User Meeting was once again a complete success. The great response, the high quality of the lectures and the commitment of our users to openly discuss their opinions provided an ideal platform for advancing refractive corneal surgery“, commented CEO Rolf Schwind.