Ophthalmologist

Panagiotis Zafeirakis is an ophthalmologist surgeon, specialized in micro cataract surgery, corneal transplants, refractive surgery, and glaucoma procedures.

He attended the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens as of 1985 and graduated with top marks and commendation in 1991. He was trained in the department of ophthalmological immunology and intra-ocular inflammations at Harvard University, Boston, USA.

He specialized in ophthalmology at the University Ophthalmology Clinic of Athens. He trained in cataract and cornea surgery and laser correction of myopia – hypermetropia – astigmatism at Harvard University, Boston, USA.

After his training, he carried out thousands of procedures and acquired big experience in keratoplasty, refractive surgery, and limbal stem cell transplantation techniques, amniotic membrane use, conjunctiva flaps, implantation of special intraocular lenses and diaphragms and restoration techniques of the anterior segment, as well as Ahmed valves.

He has a rich scientific writing work, with publications in international prestigious ophthalmological journals and books, and teaching work as an invited speaker of the Hellenic Ophthalmological Society, as well as many foreign Ophthalmological Societies, both in Europe and in the USA.

He is the head of the Cornea and Ophthalmic Inflammations Department at Athens Eye Hospital.

He is the author of the following publications in foreign languages:

  1. Zafirakis P, Hu S, Merayo-Lloves J, Foster CS. A non radiolabeled in situ hybridization technique for the detection of the inhibitory effect of Tetradrine on experimental allergic conjunctivitis in mice. Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1996;37:S
  2. Olle-Delahaye P, Zafirakis P, Akpek E, Brasseur G, Eupherte L, Foster CS. Acanthamoeba Keratitis. Efficacy of Hexamidine versus Propamidine in vivo and in vitro. Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1997;38:S
  3. Merchant M, Sangwan V, Livir-Rallatos C, Zafirakis P, Rojas B, Foster CS. Conjunctival expression of leukocytes adhesion molecules in cicatrizing condition: Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, Atopy and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1997;38:S
  4. Sangwan V, Livir-Rallatos C, Zafirakis P, Rojas B, Foster CS. Deposition of eosinophil granule proteins in conjunctiva and sclera in Wegener's granulomatosis. A harbinger of disease progression? Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1997;38:S
  5. Sangwan V, Zafirakis P, Foster C.S. Mooren's ulcer: Current concepts in management. Indian J Ophthalmol, 1997; 45:7-17.
  6. Rojas B, Zafirakis P, Foster CS. Cataract surgery in patients with uveitis. Current Opin Ophthalmol 1997; 8(1):6-12.
  7. Ladas ID, Baltatzis S, Panagiotidis D, Zafirakis P, Kokolakis SN, Theodossiadis GP. Topical 2% Dorsolamide versus oral Acetazolimide for prevention of intraocular pressure raised after ND: Yag laser posterior capsulotomy. Arch Ophthalmol, 1997; 115:1241-1244.
  8. Tesavibul N, Dorfman D, Sangwan VS, Christen W, Zafirakis P, Rojas B, Foster CS. Costimulatory molecules in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1998;39:982-988.
  9. Livir-Rallatos C, El-Shabrawi Y, Zafirakis P, Pellett PE, Stamey FR, Foster CS. Recurrent nodular scleritis associated with varicella zoster virus. Am J Ophthalmol 1998;126:594-7.
  10. Zafirakis P, Rojas B, Baltatzis S, Sangwan VS, Livir-Rallatos C, Foster CS. Conjunctival expression of adhesion molecules in Mooren's ulcer. Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1998;39:S92.
  11. Zafirakis P, Baltatzis S, Sangwan SV, Dorfman DM, Rojas B, Livir-Rallatos C, Foster CS. Conjunctival expression of costimulatory molecules in Mooren's ulcer. Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1998;39:S91.
  12. Zafirakis P, Uy HS, Nguyen QD, Beech D, Foster CS. Immunochistochemistry of vitreous cells from patients with posterior uveitis. Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1998;39:S361.
  13. Rojas B, Zafirakis P, Cunha R, Ramirez JM, Lizan M, Baltatzis S, Foster CS. Immunopathologic study of the conjunctiva in patients with bone marrow transplantation: A prospective study. Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1998;39:S550.
  14. Zafirakis P, Sangwan VS, Dorfman DM, Baltatzis S, Rojas B, Livir-Rallatos C, Foster CS. Costimulatory molecules in conjunctiva from patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1998;39:S550.
  15. Apostolopoulos M, Koutsandrea C, Parikakis E, Zafirakis P, Theodossiadis P, Grigoropoulos V, Livir-Rallatos G. Surgical management of acute retinal necrosis syndrome: The role of retinectomy. Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1998;39:S611.
  16. Markomichelakis N, Zafirakis P, Karambogia-Karefillidi P, Livir-Rallatos C, Koutsandrea Ch, Apostolopoulos M: Herpes simplex virus type 2 as a cause of acute retinal necrosis syndrome. Hellenic Ann Ophthalmol, 1998;8:299-303.
  17. Chatsistefanou K, Papathoma P, Zafirakis P, Kokolakis S, Sakkas I, Markomichelakis N. HLA antigens and intermediate uveitis. Hellenic Ann Ophthalmol, 1998;8:259-263.
  18. Kokolakis S, Zafirakis P, Livir-Rallatos G, Ladas I, Damanakis A: Aspirin intake and bleeding during cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg 1999;25:301.
  19. Zafirakis P, Stavrou P, Rojas B, Tesavibul S, Baltatsis S, Foster CS. Intraocular lens explantation in patients with uveitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1999;40:S151.
  20. Zafirakis P, Baltatzis S, Livir-Rallatos C, Markomichelakis N, Foster CS. Human mast cell subsets in conjunctiva from patients with atopy and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1999;40:S558.
  21. Zafirakis P, Baltatzis S, Livir-Rallatos C, Markomichelakis N, Foster CS. Immunopathology of Mooren's ulcer. Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1999;40:S559.
  22. Apostolopoulos M, Georgopoulos G, Koutsandrea Ch, Roussopoulos G, Zafirakis P, Grigoropoulos V. Valve implants for management of medically uncontrolled silicone oil glaucoma. Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1999;40:S273.
  23. Zafirakis P, Rowe S, Kokolakis S, Livir-Rallatos G, Livir-Rallatos C. Which is better anaesthesia for clear corneal phacoemulsification cataract surgery, without sedation? Topical or sub-tenon's? Invest Ophtalmol Vis Sci 1999;40:S287.
  24. Harper SL, Samson M, Letko E, Zafirakis P, Sangwan V, Nguyen DQ. Wegener's granulomatosis: The relationship between ocular and systemic disease. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1999;40:S556.
  25. Zafirakis P, Livir-Rallatos G, Canakis C, Livir-Rallatos C. The role of cycloplegia in cataract surgery with topical aneshtesia. American Academy of Ophthalmology, 1999.
  26. Zafirakis P, Markomichelakis N. Frosted-branch angiitis due to herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2. American Academy of Ophthalmology, 1999.
  27. Foster CS, Stavrou P, Zafirakis P, Rojas B, Tesavibul N, Baltatzis S: Intraocular lens explantation in patients with uveitis. Am J Ophthlamol 1999;128:31-37.
  28. Ladas ID, Livir-Rallatos C, Canakis C, Damanakis A, Zafirakis P, Livir-Rallatos G: Presumed congenital ocular toxoplasmosis in two successive siblings. Acta Ophthalmologica, 1999;213:320-322.
  29. Markomichelakis NN, Barampouti F, Zafirakis P, Chalkiadakis I, Kouris T, Economopoulos N. Retinal vasculitis with a frosted branch appearance due to herpes simplex virus type 2. Retina, 1999;5:455-457.
  30. Zafirakis P, Livir-Rallatos G, Canakis C, Livir-Rallatos C, Datseris J, Kokolakis S. Sodium hyaluronate aids corneal wound healing during cataract and/or glaucoma surgery. EuroTimes 1999;4:8.
  31. Theodossiadis GP, Theodossiadis PG, Ladas ID, Zafirakis P, Kollia A, Koutsandrea CH, Vergados I, Apostolopoulos M: Cystoid macular edema in optic disk pit maculopathy. Doc Ophthalmol 1999;97:329-35.
  32. Rojas B, Zafirakis P, Christen W, Markomichelakis N, Foster CS. Medical treatment of macular edema in patients with uveitis. Doc Ophthalmol 1999;97:399-407.
  33. Zafirakis P, Markomichelakis N, Theodossiadis GP, Theodossiadis PG. Cystoid macular edema in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and past ocular history of cytomegalovirus retinitis after initiation of protenase inhibitors. Doc Ophthalmol 1999;97:311-5.
  34. Kokolakis S, Baltatzis S, Zafirakis P, Livir-Rallatos G, Ladas ID. Twelve years continuous wear of the same therapeutic soft contact lens. A case report. Eur J Ophthalmol 1999;9:312-314.
  35. Zafirakis P, Dorfman DM, Baltatzis S, Livir-Rallatos C, Markomichelakis N, Foster CS. Costimulatory molecules in conjunctiva from patients with Stevens Johnson syndrome. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2000;41:S673.
  36. Markomichelakis N, Zafirakis P, Canakis C, Tzioufas A, Manousakis E, Malias I, Theodossiadis GP. Combined cyclosporine-A, azathioprine and corticosteroid treatment for uveitis in patients with Adamantiades-Bechet disease. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2000;41:S371.
  37. Zafirakis P, Baltatzis S, Livir-Rallatos G, Livir-Rallatos C, Canakis C, Vergados I, Theodossiadis GP: Does sodium hyaluronate accelerate corneal healing? Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2000;41:S912.
  38. Zafirakis P, Livir-Rallatos G, Livir-Rallatos C, Canakis C, Stathoulopoulos S, Graikiotis D, Theodossiadis GP: Retrospective study of the hydrogel (Bausch & Lomb, H 60 M, Hydroview) foldable intraocular lens. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2000;41:S486.
  39. Kokolakis S, Zafirakis P, Livir-Rallatos G, Ladas ID, Damanakis A. Endophthalmitis and suture removal. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000;26:632.
  40. Ambati J, Canakis C, Miller JW, Gragoudas ES, Edwards A, Weissgold DJ, Kim I, Delori FC, Adamis AP. Diffusion of high molecular weight components through sclera. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2000;41:1181-5.
  41. Mallias I, Chalkiadakis I, Zafirakis P, Farmakakis N, Markomichelakis N. Pars planitis as manifestation of Adamantiades- Behcet's disease. Hellenic Ann Ophthalmol 2000;10:150-156.
  42. Markomichelakis N, Zafirakis P, Canakis C, Tzioufas A, Theodossiadis G. Combined cyclosporine-A and corticosteroids for the treatment of patients with Adamantiades- Behcet's disease. Hellenic Ann Ophthalmol 2000;10:299-303.
  43. Zafirakis P, Markomichelakis N, Kaklamanis V, Chalkiadakis I, Petsias C, Palimeris G, Kaklamanis Ph. Ocular involment in juvenile patients with Adamantiades- Behcet's disease. American Academy of Ophthalmology 2000.
  44. Markomichelakis N, Zafirakis P, Karambogia-Karefillidi P, Drakoulis N, Vagiakou-Boudri E, Apostolopoulos M. Herpes simplex virus type 2: a cause of acute retinal necrosis syndrome. Ocular Immunol Ophthalmol 2001;9:103-9.
  45. Zafirakis P, Rowe S, Kokolakis S, Livir-Rallatos G, Livir-Rallatos C, Baltatzis S, Theodossiadis G. A comparison between topical anaesthesia and sub-tenon's anesthesia without sedation in cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg 2001;27:873-9.
  46. Baltatzis S, Theodossiadis PG, Zafirakis P: Management of large filtering blebs without surgery. Arch Ophthalmol 2001;119:927.
  47. Harper SL, Letko E, Samson CM, Zafirakis P, Sangwan V, Nguyen Q, Uy H, Baltatzis S, Foster CS. Wegener's granulomatosis: The relationship between ocular and systemic disease. J Rheumatol 2001;28:1025-32.
  48. Moschos M, Ladas ID, Zafirakis P, Kokolakis S, Theodossiadis GP. Recurrent vitreous haemorrhages due to combined pigment epithelial and retinal hamartoma: Natural course and indocyanine green angiographic findings. Acta Ophthalmologica 2001;215:66-9.
  49. Panayotis Zafirakis. Adamantiades-Behcet Disease. Ιn: Ocular Inflammatory diseases, edited by C. S. Foster and A. Vitale. W.B Saunders. (2001). ISBN: 0721663389
  50. Zafirakis P, Theodossiadis P, Livir-Rallatos G, Vergados I, Baltatzis S. Acute comitant esotropia after cataract surgery. J Catar Refract Surg 2002;28:373-5.
  51. Zafirakis P, Livir-Rallatos G, Livir-Rallatos C, Canakis C, Markomichelakis N. Diclofenac versus prednisolone postphacoemulsification treatment: a randomized clinical trial. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2002.
  52. Zafirakis P, Livir-Rallatos G, Livir-Rallatos C, Canakis C, Markomichelakis N, Baltatzis S. Leukocyte adhesion molecules in ocular rosacea. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2002.
  53. Markomichelakis N, Zafirakis P, Gogas P, Chalkiadakis I, Theodossiadis P, Mallias I, Theodossiadis G. The role of optical coherence tomography in evaluation of patients with uveitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2002.
  54. Karavellas M, Markomichelakis N, Zafirakis P, Kouris A. Long-term oral acyclovir for the prevention of recurrent herpetic uveitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2002.
  55. Markomichelakis N, Canakis C, Zafirakis P, Mallias I, Marakis Th, Theodossiadis G. Recurrent anterior uveitis with sectoral iris atrophy caused by cytomegalovirus. Ophthalmology 2002;109:879-882.
  56. Zafirakis P, Letko E, Baltatzis S, Voudouri A, Livir-Rallatos C, Foster CS. Relapsing polychondritis: A clinical review. Semin Arthritis and Rheum 2002;31:384-395.
  57. Canakis C , Livir-Rallatos C , Zafirakis P, Livir-Rallatos G , Persidis E, Conway MD, Peyman GA. Ocular photodynamic therapy for serous macular detachment in the diffuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy variant of idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy. Am J Ophthalmol 2003;136(4):750-2.
  58. Yao L, Baltatzis S, Zafirakis P, Livir-Rallatos C , Markomichelakis N, Zhao T, Foster CS. Human mast cell subtypes in conjunctiva of patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2003;11(3):211-22.
  59. Canakis C , Livir-Rallatos C , Zafirakis P, Livir-Rallatos G . Acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection. Am J Ophthalmol 2004;137(6):1158-1159.
  60. Perez VL, Chavala SH, Ahmed M, Chu D, Zafirakis P, Balatzis S, Ocampo V, Foster CS. Ocular manifestations and concepts of systemic vasculitides. Surv Ophthalmol. 2004; 49(4):399-418. Review.
  61. Leonardi A, Zafirakis P. Efficacy and comfort of olopatadine versus ketotifen ophthalmic solutions: a double-masked, environmental study of patient preference. Curr Med Res Opin. 2004; 20(8):1167-73.
  62. Zafirakis P, Blounas G, Koulios P, Ntantous G, Tsoli D, Petropoulos V, Livir-Rallatos G. A double blind study concerning the preference of the patients for olopatadine versus ketotifen due to drop comfort and efficacy, in an environmental model. Hellenic Ann Ophthalmol. 2004;14:301-08.
  63. Rojas B, Cuhna R, Zafirakis P, Ramirez JM, Lizan Garcii AM, Zhao T, Foster CS . Cell populations and adhesion molecules expression in conjunctiva before and after bone marrow transplantation. Exp Eye Res 2005;81:313-325.
  64. Choopong P, Khan N, Sangwan VS, Zafirakis P, Rallatos CL , Rojas B, Baltatzis S, Foster CS: Eosinophil activation in Wegener's granulomatosis: a harbinger of disease progression? Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2005;13(6):439-45.
  65. Kafkala C, Choi J, Zafirakis P, Baltatzis S, Livir-Rallatos C, Rojas B, Foster CS: Mooren’s ulcer: An immunopathologic study. Cornea 2006;25(6):667-73.
  66. Zafirakis P, Kymionis GD, Grentzelos MA , Livir-Rallatos G: Corneal graft detachment without corneal edema after descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty. Cornea 2010;29(4):456-8.