prof. MUDr. Petra Svozílková, Ph.D.

Chief of Ophthalmology

Comprehensive ophthalmic care with a multidisciplinary approach – the eye as a window into the whole body. I do not view the eye as an isolated organ; I perceive the human body as an interconnected whole. Ophthalmic findings can often provide the first indication of an underlying systemic condition. A comprehensive approach to patient care and close interdisciplinary collaboration are fundamental principles of my clinical practice.

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Curriculum Vitae

Employment and practice

2024–present

Appointed as Deputy Head of the Dept. of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague

2020–present

Appointed as Medical Advisor / Consultant to the Embassy of the United States of America in Prague

2016–present

Appointed as Head of Uveitic Clinic of the Dept. of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague

2014–2023

Appointed as Deputy Head of the Dept. of Ophthalmology for scientific activities, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague

2008–2021

Canadian Medical (Canadian Medical Care), appointed as Chief of Ophthalmology in 2015

2001–2010

Institute of Pharmacology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University

1997–present

Dept. of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague

Membership in Professional Societies

Council of European University Professors of Ophthalmology, International Uveitis Study Group (elected membership), International Ocular Inflammation Society, Member of the Board of the Grant Agency of the Charles University, Czech Medical Society of J. E. Purkyne, Czech Ophthalmological Society, Czech Microbiome Society, Czech Vitreoretinal Society, Czech Medical Chamber

Education

2020

Award of title and appointed as Professor of Ophthalmology at Charles University, Prague

2016

License of the Czech Medical Chamber as a Chief Physician and Head in Ophthalmology

2008

Habilitation and award of title Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague

2004

Full License in Ophthalmology, Czech Medical Chamber

2004

Specialization in Ophthalmology (Second postgraduate certification)

2003

PhD Degree

2000

Board Examination in Ophthalmology (First postgraduate certification)

1997–2003

PhD study of Biomedicine at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, in the field of Pharmacology and Toxicology

1997

MD Degree

1991–1997

Study of Medicine at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague

Oral Presentations

More than 100 oral presentations at Czech, European and International Congresses (7 times as invited speaker).

Publications

20 impact factor journal articles (first author, corresponding author or senior author in 12 of them) and 57 publications in peer reviewed non-impact factor journals. Citations according to Web of Science (without self-citations): 195.

Main author of 4 monographies, co-author of 15 ophthalmological and interdisciplinary monografies (35 chapters).

Some of these monographies and publications have received awards for scientific impact.

Main scientific activities

Study of pathogenetic mechanisms of immune-mediated intraocular inflammation in patients with uveitis (role of microbiome, analysis of cytokines and other factors in intraocular fluids and serum) and on an experimental model of autoimmune uveitis in mice and possibilities of their therapeutic regulation.

Study of the role of microbiome in pathogenesis of intraocular, systemic and central nervous system lymphoma.

Dynamic parameters of glucose control in relation to biomarkers in serum and intraocular fluid in diabetic patients with ocular complications.

In the past during PhD studies, research was focused on the role of non-specific immunity in processes of rejection, tolerance and failure of corneal allografts.

The research was supported by Grant Projects AZV MZ CR, IGA MZ CR, GA UK, GA CR, Specific Research Project of Charles University, Research Project of Charles University PROGRES.

Investigator of 9 international multicenter double-masked clinical studies in patients with uveitis and retinal diseases.

Active participation in undergraduate and postgraduate education

Undergraduate teaching of Ophthalmology to students of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Czech and English, teaching foreign students in the Erasmus program.

As part of postgraduate teaching, the supervisor of 7 postgraduate students in biomedicine at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, 3 of them successfully defended their PhD. Guiding young ophthalmologists during their mandatory pre-certification internships to gain professional competence. Lectures in the Lifelong Education of Physicians for ophthalmologists and other specialists, conducting courses in ophthalmology focused on the issue of uveitis organized by the Institute of Postgraduate Education in Health Care. Regular organization of conferences focused on intraocular inflammation and presentations in Uveitis Scientific Workshops for Czech and foreign ophthalmologists.

Reviewer of Grant Applications, PhD Theses in the Field of Biomedicine and Publications for Scientific Journals.

Supervisor of eight postgraduate students in Biomedical Sciences at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University. Four of these students have successfully completed and defended their PhD theses.