Professor Alberto O. Ciancia (1924-2021)

We join with the ophthalmic community to remember Professor Alberto O. Ciancia of Buenos Aires. Dr. Ciancia was a member of the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology for more than 30 years.

An Argentine expert of Strabismus, Dr. Ciancia was the discoverer of a type of infantile strabismus that today is called worldwide the “Ciancia Syndrome”. He was also co-founder of the Argentine Association for the Study of the Recovery of the Blind and Amblyopic (ASAERCA) in 1971, an institution that is still active.

Dr. Ciancia served as President of the Argentina Council of Ophthalmology (CAO) between 1980 and 1984. During his administration, he promoted the CAO Continuing Medical Education Program, an educational undertaking that had an enormous impact in the country. Dr. Ciancia created the CAO Modules, thanks to which specific training on ophthalmologic subjects was carried out in the provinces, at a time when virtual education did not yet exist.

Argentine medicine in general, and ophthalmology in particular, paid tribute to this renowned professional during his lifetime. In 2011, the Argentine Medical Association awarded him the title of Procter of Ophthalmological Medicine. In 2008, the CAO awarded him the title of Honorary Member, and finally, in 2020, Dr. Ciancia received the Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Ophthalmology.

Dr. Pablo Daponte
PAAO Secretary, Spanish Language Region
President, Argentine Council of Ophthalmology