5 Questions With Daniela M.V. Marques, MD, PhD

1. What are the challenges and rewards of being a medical director of your own facility?

As an owner of the Marques Eye Institute, I have the opportunity to treat my patients the way I believe they should be treated. I offer them the best treatment options available and interact with them in a kind and gentle manner.

2. What are some of the most promising developments in anterior segment surgery?

Anterior segment surgery has significantly developed over the past decade. IOL technologies including toric, multifocal, and accommodating IOLs are wonderful tools for solving refractive problems. Today’s microscopes can provide accuracy in visualizing relevant intraoperative details, and software upgrades for these devices make the refractive result of cataract surgery more predictable. For example, the Optiwave Refractive Analysis System (ORA System; WaveTec Vision Systems, Inc.) performs intraoperative biometry, and Callisto eye, a modular platform that works with the OPMI Lumera (both by Carl Zeiss Meditec) line of microscopes, helps the surgeon to pinpoint the right axis for implantation of a toric IOL.

In my opinion, the biggest update and improvement is in the area of femtosecond laser technology. The femtosecond laser was initially used in refractive surgery to create LASIK flaps and stromal tunnels for insertion of Intacs segments (Addition Technology, Inc.) in patients with keratoconus. More recently, the femtosecond laser has migrated to cataract surgery, where it is being used to create arcuate, main, and sideport incisions; perform the anterior capsulotomy; and fragment the lens.

3. How has your fellowship at the Cincinnati Eye Institute influenced the way you practice medicine?

My husband and I, Frederico Marques, MD, PhD, had the opportunity to attend a 1-year fellowship program at the Cincinnati Eye Institute. We had just finished a residency program in São Paulo, and we wanted to improve our skills and expertise in the field of cataract surgery. To that end, we applied for a fellowship with Robert H. Osher, MD, who is an outstanding surgeon and teacher. To our surprise, the fellowship completely changed our professional future because we learned how to perform important new cataract surgery techniques, minimize complications during the procedure and deal with them if they occur, correctly write scientific papers, and choose the best treatment for each patient.

4. What do you enjoy most about conducting research, and what is your current focus?

In addition to my private practice, I am a Medical Collaborator in the Research Department of the Cataract Sector of the Federal University of São Paulo, and I have the opportunity to participate in research that involves different types of IOLs, phaco machines, and medications. I enjoy participating in research because I learn how new technologies behave and how I can use them with my patients. My current focus is to study multifocal toric and accommodating IOLs.

5. What do you consider to be your greatest personal achievement outside of your profession?

I have no doubt that my greatest personal achievement is my family. I have a wonderful husband and two outstanding children who help me every day to be a better and happier person.