Mario Romano

Mario Romano (Naples, July 3, 1978) is a surgeon and ophthalmologist, known for his scientific research and his clinical work in vitreoretinal diseases. He teaches as a Full Professor of Ophthalmology and serves as the Director of the Ophthalmology residency program at Humanitas University, Milan, as well as the Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Humanitas Gavazzeni-Castelli, Bergamo. Prof. Romano is currently the Scientific Director at the European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology (ESASO), Lugano, Switzerland.

Nationality

Italian

Honors

Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

Education

Degree with honors from the University of Naples (100/110 with honors)

Residency in Ophthalmology (50/50 with honors)

PhD in Pharmacology and Molecular Oncology at the University of Ferrara

Fellowship in Retinal Diseases, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School

Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Surgery, Royal Liverpool University Hospital

Master's in Leadership, Management, and Coordination of Healthcare Facilities

Fields

Ocular surgery with a primary interest in vitreoretinal diseases

Activities

Director of Ophthalmology Residency Program, Humanitas University, Milan

Full Professor of Ophthalmology at Humanitas University, Milan

Director of the Ophthalmology Department at Humanitas Gavazzeni-Castelli, Bergamo

Scientific Director at the European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology (ESASO), Lugano, CH

Notes

Top Italian Scientist in Clinical Sciences

Early Life and Education

After graduating from high school with top honors, he earned his degree summa cum laude in 2002 from the University of Naples. Following his graduation from the Ophthalmology residency training (50/50 with honors) with a thesis titled “Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Erythropoietin in Retinal Neovascularization, he continued his specialized training in vitreoretinal diseases and animal models with a fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, in 2005-2006 under the supervision of Prof. Donald D’Amico. He also completed a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at Royal Liverpool University in 2008 under Prof. David Wong's guidance.

In 2010, he earned his PhD in Pharmacology and Molecular Oncology at the University of Ferrara with a thesis titled “Coagulation-Balance Gene Predictors Influencing Visual Prognosis in Patients Treated with Photodynamic Therapy for Classic Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration.”

In 2018, he also obtained a second-level Master's degree in "Healthcare Management, Direction, and Coordination of Healthcare, Social and Social-Care Structures."

Prof. Romano was habilitated as a Professor in the field of Ophthalmology (02/2015 for associate professorship, 07/2020 for full professorship).

Scientific Publications

He is author of more than 300 international scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on translational and clinical aspects of ocular diseases. Prof. Romano was ranked by Expertscape (2013-2023) as the leading European expert and the second worldwide expert in vitreoretinal surgery. (https://expertscape.com/ex/vitreoretinal+surgery/c/eur) e secondo maggior esperto al mondo (https://expertscape.com/ex/vitreoretinal+surgery)

Patents

He is the inventor of three patents in the field of ocular disease care:

• "Posture Monitoring Device for Patients Treated with Vitrectomy" (No. 0001400522, 24/10/2013)
• "Vitrector" (No. 0001412237, 22/12/2014)
• "Adapter for Ophthalmoscope" (No. 102016000009992, 01/02/2016)

Teaching Positions

Professor Romano is a faculty member at Humanitas University, where he lectures in Medicine and Surgery, contributes to the MedTech program, and serves as the Director of the Ophthalmology residency program.

He is also the Director of the second-level annual Master's program in Vitreoretinal Surgery. Additionally, he developed the digital platform ELOS (e-learning ocular surgery), donated to ESASO during the pandemic, where he now serves as Scientific Director.

• Humanitas University. Medicine and Surgery course, Head and Neck.

• Humanitas University. MedTech course, Head and Neck.

• Humanitas University. Director and lecturer of the Ophthalmology residency program.

• Humanitas University. PhD program in Data Science in Medicine & Nutrition.

• Humanitas University. Director and lecturer of the Second-Level Master's in Vitreoretinal Surgery.

• European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology (ESASO), Lugano CH. Lecturer and Scientific Director.

• University of Naples Federico II. PhD program in Neurosciences.

• University of Naples Federico II. Second-Level Master's in Advanced Studies in Hemophilia and Thrombosis.

• University of Naples Federico II. Lecturer in the Integrated Course in Orthoptic Sciences and Ophthalmological Assistance: Clinical Pathophysiology of the Visual System.

• University of Naples Federico II. Lecturer in the Integrated Course in Orthoptic Sciences and Ophthalmological Assistance: Prevention Profile and Health Services.

• University of Naples Federico II. Lecturer in the Integrated Course in Orthoptic Sciences and Ophthalmological Assistance: Ophthalmological and Orthoptic Semiology.

• University of Naples Federico II. Lecturer in the Integrated Course in Ophthalmological Rehabilitation and Emergencies.

• University of Naples Federico II. Lecturer in the Integrated Course in Ophthalmological Rehabilitation and Techniques in Neuropsychiatric Rehabilitation.

Surgical Activity

Prof. Romano primarily focuses his clinical practice on ocular surgery, with a special interest in complex vitreoretinal diseases. He performs highly complex surgeries on the posterior segment of the eye, including retinal detachment, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, brachytherapy, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Areas of Clinical and Preclinical Research

His main research areas include induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), Müller cells, digitization and virtual reality systems in ophthalmology, intraocular tamponades, toxicity of medical devices, ocular surgery machinery fluid dynamics, and retinal detachment.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)

He works in a research group focused on reprogramming differentiated peripheral somatic cells into retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. The goal is to create a population of cells from the patient's own cells, capable of replacing damaged retinal cells. Currently, the group has already developed a polarized monolayer of retinal pigment epithelium cells (iPSCs-RPE) from peripheral fibroblasts, which is able to adhere to a hyaluronic acid matrix with anti-inflammatory properties.

Müller Cells

In recent years, growing scientific evidence has highlighted the crucial role of Müller cells in the homeostasis and structural support of the retina, as well as their potential for cellular trans-differentiation. Prof. Romano is involved in studying the role of these cells in the pathogenesis of various retinal diseases and the effect of potential iatrogenic damage on the functional and anatomical outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery. These studies have enhanced the understanding of common retinal diseases and provided significant insights into optimizing their clinical and surgical management.

Digitization and Immersive Virtual Visualization Systems in Ophthalmology

Prof. Romano is engaged in various translational projects aimed at optimizing digital and virtual resources to support teaching and healthcare activities.

Intraocular Tamponades

Intraocular liquid tamponade agents and vital dyes are medical devices that play a crucial role in vitreoretinal surgery, especially in managing the most complex vitreoretinal diseases. However, these compounds have been associated with significant ocular complications. Despite their essential role, our knowledge of their properties and behavior in vitreoretinal surgery remains limited. Over the past decade, Prof. Romano has collaborated with other research groups to characterize these compounds in terms of their chemical, physical, rheological, and biological outcomes to optimize their use in vitreoretinal surgery and evaluate the pathogenic mechanisms of complications associated with their use. These studies have expanded the understanding of the properties of intraocular liquid tamponades, providing vitreoretinal surgeons with essential information to use them more safely and effectively. He has been primarily involved in these studies, particularly in assessing the clinical and surgical relevance of the experimental findings. Prof. Romano recently published an Evidence-Based Expert-Led Consensus on staging silicone oil-induced emulsification following intraocular use. [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37071921/)

Medical Device Toxicity

Proper evaluation of the potential toxicity of intraocular medical devices is a primary concern in vitreoretinal surgery, especially in light of recent reports of severe acute postoperative ocular toxicity cases. Although the safety of these devices for their intended use is an essential prerequisite, there remain controversies surrounding current regulatory standards. Recently, alongside a specialized research group, he conducted several studies aimed at evaluating the biocompatibility and safety of intraocular medical devices through the validation of methods for the assessment of in vitro cytotoxicity, evaluating the potential cytotoxicity of commercially available medical devices, and characterizing potential contaminants/impurities in these compounds. Additionally, he was the first to study the effect of the interaction of multiple intraocular devices in terms of cytotoxicity to simulate a real surgical scenario and obtain results that could be better translated into surgical practice. These studies provided key insights into the biocompatibility of currently used intraocular medical devices in vitreoretinal surgery. Prof. Romano coordinates a European working group aimed at monitoring and reducing PFAS production in ophthalmology, assessing the real medical necessity of using PFAS. PFAS, an acronym for "perfluorinated alkylated substances," are highly toxic substances capable of accumulating in the environment irreversibly and causing damage to the ozone layer.

Fluidics of Machines Used in Ocular Surgery

Fluidics, particularly the flow rate and acceleration generated by vitrectomy systems, are significantly related to the efficiency of vitreous removal and the generation of vitreoretinal traction, thus impacting the safety and efficacy of vitrectomy itself. In the last years, he has been working on the evaluating and the eventual optimization of the performance of vitrectomy systems. These studies have expanded the knowledge of the fluidics of some of the currently available vitrectomy systems, providing important information for selecting the optimal configuration.

Retinal Detachment

Primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a vision-threatening condition with an annual incidence ranging from 0.01% to 0.02% in the general population. Advances in vitrectomy machines and intraocular medical devices have improved the surgical management of retinal detachment and optimized anatomical and functional outcomes. He has long been involved as the principal investigator in clinical studies aimed at optimizing the surgical management of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. These studies have provided important evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of various systems, techniques, and medical devices.

Personal Life and Sporting Activity

He has been married to Martina Angi since 2007, and they have two children, Lucia and Ferdinando.

Prof. Romano actively participates in national and international sports competitions, including full Ironman triathlons, ultramarathons, cycling events, and marathons.

• Triathlon-full Ironman (3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, 42 km run):
  • Vichy 2017 (Francia)
  • Zurigo 2018 (Svizzera)
  • Amburgo 2019 (Germania)
  • Klaghenfurt 2023 (Austria)

• Ultramarathon (100 km):
  • Passatore 2017 Firenze – Faenza (IT)

• Triatholn-70.3 Ironman (1,5 km nuoto, 80 km bici, 21 km corsa):
  • Pescara 2016 (IT)
  • Candia 2022 (IT)
  • Venezia-Jesolo (IT)

• Bike
  • Eroica Montalcino 2022 (IT)
  • Duomo-Stelvio 2023 (IT)

• Marathon (42,195 km):
  • Firenze 2013 (IT)
  • Milano 2014 (IT)
  • Torino 2014 (IT)
  • Berlino 2015 (D)
  • Chicago (USA) 2016
  • Pisa 2016 (IT)
  • Milano 2019 (IT)
  • Firenze 2019 (IT)
  • Navigli 2019 (IT)
  • Firenze 2021 (IT)
  • Venezia 2021 (IT)
  • Venezia 2022 (IT)
  • Milano 2022 (IT)
  • Padova 2023 (IT)
  • New York 2023 (US)
  • Milano 2024 (IT)

Humanitarian Activities

Since 2006, Prof. Romano has been collaborating with CBM (Christian Blind Mission) in the fight against global blindness, participating in humanitarian missions in Africa. He was elected a board member of CBM Italia ONLUS in 2020.

Positions Held in Foundations and Scientific Societies

He holds multiple roles, including:

• Scientific Director of ESASO (2022-present)
• Vitreoretina Subspecialty Section Committee, EURETINA (2021-present)
• Founder and Member of the Italian Society of Ophthalmic Sciences (SISO)
• Secretary of the Italian Group of Vitreoretinal Surgery (GIVRE) (2017-2022).

External Links

• Mario Romano - Google Scholar
• Mario Romano - Personal Website
• Mario Romano - LinkedIn
• Mario Romano - Youtube channel
• Mario Romano Instagram