“A serious ophthalmologist is recognised by the questions they ask before they recommend a procedure. My role is to understand your eyes, examine them carefully, and help you choose what’s genuinely right for your life — even when that means recommending less intervention, or none at all.”
— Dr. Andrea Russo, Ophthalmic Surgeon
Dr.
Andrea Russo
Ophthalmic surgeon, MD, PhD, specialising in laser refractive surgery, ICL phakic lens implantation and femtosecond laser cataract surgery. Founder of Gruppo Refrattivo Italiano and head of the ophthalmology department at Palazzo Manzoni, he is among the most active refractive surgeons in the world. Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery (FWCRS), inventor of the D-Eye retinal imaging technology. Further insights and publications on Dr. Russo’s personal website.
Background and Clinical Practice
Background
and clinical practice
Dr. Andrea Russo, MD, PhD, is an ophthalmic surgeon specialising in laser refractive surgery, ICL phakic lens implantation and femtosecond laser cataract surgery. He is the founder of Gruppo Refrattivo Italiano, a centre dedicated exclusively to refractive and cataract surgery with clinics in Brescia and Bergamo, and is among the most active refractive surgeons in the world.
He heads the ophthalmology department at Istituto Chirurgico Palazzo Manzoni in Brescia, home of the Centro Oculistico Bresciano, and works alongside the world’s leading refractive surgeons and scientists. The department operates under a principle of single-surgeon continuity: you are examined, counselled, operated on and reviewed by the same specialist throughout.
He trained with leading refractive surgeons in the UK and the USA, completed an observership at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, one of the world’s reference centres for ophthalmology, and continued his clinical and research activity in Brescia. His scientific work focuses on refractive surgery (Femto-LASIK, SMILE, PRK, Presbyond), intraocular lens power calculation and imaging techniques for the cornea, retina and optic nerve. He is the inventor of D-Eye, the device that turns a smartphone into a retinal camera and brings fundus examination where traditional equipment cannot reach. His full profile, with biography and publications, is on the Gruppo Refrattivo Italiano website.
Training and Qualifications
Training
and qualifications
Specialist qualification
Ophthalmology
International training
Leading refractive surgeons in the UK and the USA; observership at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London
Research qualifications
PhD in vision science
Board certification
Italian Ophthalmology Board
Professional society memberships
Fellow, World College of Refractive Surgery (FWCRS); member of SOI (Italian Ophthalmological Society), ESCRS, AECOS (past program chair), AAO, ISRS, ARVO and RSA
Research
60 papers in international peer-reviewed journals, cited over 1,200 times; collaboration with Prof. Giacomo Savini on intraocular lens power calculation and ICL lenses
Invention
D-Eye, a smartphone-based retinal imaging device used in clinical practice worldwide
Identifiers
ORCID 0000-0002-1566-3662 · Google Scholar · Wikidata
Scientific Research
Selected
publications
A selection of Dr. Russo’s peer-reviewed studies on refractive surgery, cataract, dry eye and retina. Full list on PubMed and on Google Scholar.
Journal of Refractive Surgery · 2026
Report Laser Fluence in Lenticule Extraction as a Dual-Plane, Raster-Dependent Quantity
Scientific Reports · 2026
Biological assessment and preservation strategies for SMILE-derived lenticules: towards a corneal regenerative approach
Journal of Clinical Medicine · 2026
Retrospective Analysis of IOL Power Calculation by Ray Tracing in Eyes with Previous Radial Keratotomy
Ophthalmology and Therapy · 2025
Dry Eye Disease: From Causes to Patient Care and Clinical Collaboration — A Narrative Review
Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery · 2023
Predictability of the vault after implantable collamer lens implantation using OCT and artificial intelligence
Journal of Ophthalmology · 2022
Myopia: Mechanisms and Strategies to Slow Down Its Progression
How Dr. Russo Approaches a Case
How Dr. Russo
approaches a case
A consultation with Dr. Russo begins not with a procedure recommendation, but with a thorough examination of the eye — optical, structural, and functional — followed by a conversation about how your vision is affecting your daily life and what you actually want to achieve.
He emphasises:
Examination first, recommendation second
The eye itself tells the story. A thorough assessment of your refraction, corneal shape and thickness, lens clarity, retinal health, and eye geometry precedes any discussion of options. Many patients arrive convinced they need a certain procedure; examination sometimes shows a different path is better.
Single-surgeon continuity
The patient who arrives at the first consultation is the patient he reviews at twelve months. There is no hand-off.
Anatomical literacy explained to the patient
You will leave understanding what your examination showed — at the level of corneal thickness, refractive error, lens opacity, retinal health — and why that matters for your options. This is not patient education in a marketing sense; it is the foundation of genuine informed consent.
Honest candidacy and willingness to say no
Patients seeking a procedure that your eye cannot support, or seeking it at the wrong time, are told so plainly. Some leave with the recommendation to wait, or not to proceed.
Areas of Clinical Practice
Areas of clinical practice
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Cataract surgery
Phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Standard IOLs for clear distance vision with reading glasses. Premium and multifocal IOLs for patients seeking reduced dependence on glasses across distance, intermediate, and near vision.
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Refractive surgery
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), femtosecond-assisted LASIK, Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE), and Presbyond (for presbyopia in patients over 40). Candidate assessment includes corneal topography, thickness measurement, refraction stability, and tear-film analysis.
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ICL lens implantation
Phakic intraocular lens implantation for high myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or keratoconus when laser surgery is not suitable. The lens is implanted in front of your natural lens, leaving your cornea untouched.
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Retinal examination and AMD management
Diagnosis and surveillance of age-related macular degeneration (dry and wet forms), using advanced imaging (OCT and angiography) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to track disease progression and guide intervention when indicated.
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Dry eye evaluation
Assessment and management of dry eye, including meibomography, tear osmolality, and tear-film stability testing to guide treatment planning.
The Rest of the Team
Also
in the ophthalmology department
Dr. Russo is one of five ophthalmologists at Palazzo Manzoni. Each specialist has distinct clinical focus areas. Your initial consultation determines who is the right match for your condition.
Dr. Giulia Festa
Cataract and refractive surgery. Laser and phakic ICL procedures, premium multifocal cataract surgery.
Dr. Alessandro Boldini
Cataract, refractive surgery and AMD. FWCRS and FEBOS-CR Fellow, extensive experience in refractive surgery and advanced retinal imaging.
Dr. Anna Cancarini
Cataract, premium IOLs, age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Diagnosis and long-term management.
Dr. Jacopo Zilioli
Cataract, refractive surgery, laser and phakic lenses. Full range of refractive and cataract procedures.
Take the Next Step
Your next step starts
with a conversation
At Palazzo Manzoni in Brescia, every consultation is personal, unhurried, and designed to give you clarity about your next step.
Address
Via dei Mille 14, 25122 Brescia, Italia
Phone
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:30-18:30 · Sat 9:00-13:00
01
Get in touch
Call, email, WhatsApp, or book online.
02
Meet your specialist
A personal consultation to understand your situation.
03
Your plan, your pace
Together you decide the best path forward.