Dr. Melissa Vereecken

Working with the latest of the latest

Ophthalmologist Melissa Vereecken went to study medicine at Ghent University (Belgium) with the aim of becoming a heart surgeon. “That didn’t work out. Because during my studies I discovered that there is an incredible variety of eye diseases and eye surgery is very rewarding. Operating on people with poor vision for cataracts and making them see clearly again is the best thing there is. The technical side of the profession also appeals to me enormously. Using scans and photos, you can very objectively show the patient what the problem is.”
Cataract, lacrimal and oculoplastic surgery are Dr. Vereecken’s specialties. She obtained her medical degree in 2014 and further specialized in ophthalmology at the University Hospital Ghent, the Sint-Jan hospital in Bruges and the Sint-Elisabeth hospital in Zottegem. Afterwards she followed a fellowship at the Maxima Medical Hospital in Eindhoven, where she focused on cataract surgery. She then further specialized as an eyelid and lacrimal surgeon at the Eye Hospital Rotterdam. Since 2024 she combines her work in Ghent with her work at FYEO.

To end up at zero

“In Ghent I treat patients with eye diseases. So that ranges from cataracts and watery eyes to a drooping eyelid and strabismus. Especially with cataract surgery I noticed that I had the tendency to go for perfection, both in surgical technique and in the refractive aspect. I want to get as close to ‘zero’ as possible. The demand from patients to be glasses-independent is also greater than before. That’s why I ended up in the world of multifocal lens implants. I know Barbara and Frank from my training in Eindhoven for cataract surgery and at one point Frank asked me if I wanted to come to FYEO. The distance made me hesitate for a while, but being able to be part of a team that operates at such a top level was decisive. The latest equipment, the latest lenses, the team consultation, the support and the advice tailored to a client, I really enjoy working at FYEO.”

Christmas lights and ivy

Putting patients at ease, giving them the space to ask questions, letting them know that we will take the time for them and listen to them as well as possible in order to reach a decision together. According to Dr. Vereecken, these are things that are part of a good performance of her profession, both during the consultation and in the operating room. “In turn, I try to explain as well as possible, step by step, what is going to happen. In that explanation, I make as many comparisons as possible. Such as the comparison between halos and Christmas lights or that the light can be so bright that you need sunglasses. In the operating room, I compare the bright operating lamp with the sun. In the case of eye pathology such as dry or wet macular degeneration, I compare the retina with a worn-out doormat or with ivy from which you cannot remove the roots. This allows the patient or client to visualize it better.”

Beautiful to witness

The combination of hospital and private clinic and the combination of Belgium and the Netherlands suits Dr. Vereecken well. She likes variety. At FYEO she wants to be able to do all medical procedures. “I like to keep learning, I like to take on new challenges and I want to expand and perfect my surgical skills as much as possible. If you master the different techniques, from lasering to inserting contact lenses, you can offer the best treatment for your client. This is where you can do wonderful work as an ophthalmologist. People with -8, -9 or even -10 who sit upright on the operating table after inserting a contact lens and can then read the clock without glasses or contact lenses. That is something very beautiful to witness.”