Megan Webber, co-founder of KnowTheGlow, and Helene Dameris, Director of Global Outreach, recently engaged in a pivotal conversation with Dr. Maria Pefkianaki, Director of the Ocular Oncology Service in Athens, Greece.
Dr. Pefkianaki’s journey is one of resilience, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of a vision to transform the Ocular Oncology Eye Care in Greece, particularly in the realm of childhood blinding eye diseases.
Dr. Pefkianaki is highly skilled in diagnosis and treatment of ocular oncology diseases on adults and children and her expertise in ocular oncology is widely acknowledged, as evidenced by her numerous accolades and achievements.
Dr. Pefkianaki’s impact on the field of ophthalmology has not gone unnoticed.
Notably, she was awarded the prestigious Wills Eye Hospital Research Innovation Grant in 2015. Her inclusion in America’s Top 100 Magazine’s ‘Top 100 New Doctors’ list in 2018 is a testament to her exemplary contributions to the medical community.
Dr Pefkianaki also completed a PhD and two Masters, one of them from Harvard T.H.Chan School.
Dr. Pefkianaki’s journey into ocular oncology began with a deep-rooted desire to make a difference. From a young age, she felt a calling to help those around her, and this sense of compassion only grew stronger as she pursued her education. Upon completing medical school, she chose to specialize in ophthalmology, recognizing the significance of sight in enhancing quality of life. However, it was during her time at Moorfields Eye Hospital,one of the best eye hospitals in Europe, that her path took a transformative turn.
Witnessing numerous cases of melanoma and realizing the profound impact of preserving not just sight but also life itself, she felt compelled to delve deeper into ocular oncology. Consequently she completed an ocular oncology fellowship at wills eye hospital under the mentorship of prof Carol Shields and prof.Jerry Shields and subsequently she continued at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles under the mentorship of professor Jesse Berry.
Despite the absence of a dedicated center in her country, Dr. Pefkianaki remained undeterred. With unwavering determination, she has chosen the harder path of establishing a center in her homeland, driven by the belief that every individual deserves access to specialized care.
Since her return to Greece, she has treated numerous patients with Ocular Melanoma in Greece, sparing them the need to seek treatment abroad.
One of Dr. Pefkianaki’s most notable endeavors is the establishment of the first treatment center for Retinoblastoma in Greece.
This initiative underscores her dedication to improving access to specialized care for patients with Retinoblastoma, a rare but potentially life-threatening eye cancer affecting young children.
For over four decades, Greece has lacked a dedicated center for Retinoblastoma (RB), a rare and potentially life-threatening eye cancer affecting children. Dr. Pefkianaki shared insights into the struggles faced by families, who, until now, had to seek diagnosis and treatment abroad, often at significant personal and financial cost. However, with the impending opening of the first Ocular Oncology/-Retinoblastoma Center in Greece specialized , hope shines brightly on the horizon for these families.
As she eagerly anticipates the treatment of the first RB patient in Greece, Dr. Pefkianaki stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and commitment to one’s calling
Dr. Pefkianaki’s contributions extend beyond clinical practice. She is set to host the 10th European Retinoblastoma Meeting in Athens this year, first time given to a Greek Ophthalmologist. This gathering of leading experts in the field will foster knowledge exchange and collaboration, ultimately enhancing patient care and research efforts in ocular oncology.
Dr Pefkianaki had been successfully nominated to organize also the International Ocular Oncology Conference in Greece in 2028.
During the conversation with Megan and Helene, Dr. Pefkianaki shared insights into the challenges and opportunities that exist when combating childhood blinding eye diseases. The trio discussed strategies to raise awareness about the early signs of vision problems, particularly focusing on the importance of detecting the glow, a key indicator of various eye conditions, including retinoblastoma.
The potential collaboration between KnowTheGlow and Dr. Pefkianaki holds immense promise for advancing vision care in Greece and beyond. By leveraging their collective expertise and resources, they both aim to improve early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of eye diseases, ultimately ensuring better outcomes for patients.
As they continue to work towards their shared vision of a world where no child suffers from preventable blindness, the partnership between KnowTheGlow and Dr. Maria Pefkianaki serves as a beacon of hope for countless families affected by vision-related challenges. Together, they are pioneering efforts to transform the landscape of eye care and make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals worldwide.
Dr. Pefkianaki is equally committed to raising public awareness about the early symptoms of RB and the importance of finding the glow reflex in diagnosis. Her advocacy extends to implement a national campaign and integrate vision screening protocols into pediatric care practices.
By educating both healthcare professionals and the general public, she aims to prevent delays in diagnosis and treatment, ultimately saving lives and preserving vision. KTG hopes to assist her in this effort by providing digital materials to assist with their campaign.
As Dr. Pefkianaki prepares to drive awareness, lead the upcoming conference, and to open the Ocular Oncology/Retinoblastoma Center in the coming months, her message is clear: Never give up on your dreams, with perseverance and faith, if you put your mind on it and you work hard and don’t listen to the rejection ,anything is possible.
Her tireless efforts serve as an inspiration to us all, reminding us that the pursuit of excellence in healthcare knows no bounds.
With the 2028 International Society of Ocular Oncology conference slated to take place in Athens, the world will witness the culmination of Dr. Pefkianaki’s vision, a testament to her unwavering commitment to advancing the field of ocular oncology and ensuring a brighter future for generations to come.
