Regional Speakers

Dr. Abdullah M. Khan, MD, FRCS (Ed) is a Consultant Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Strabismus Specialist at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KKESH&RC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Alfaisal University. He serves as the Fellowship Program Director for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at KKESH&RC. His clinical and research interests include pediatric anterior segment surgery, congenital cataract, congenital glaucoma, strabismus, and retinoblastoma. Dr. Khan has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and is actively involved in medical education, clinical research, and advancing the field of pediatric ophthalmology.

Adel Alakeely, MD, MBA, FASRS is a vitreoretinal surgeon based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, specializing in complex pediatric and adult retinal surgery. Board-certified in ophthalmology, he completed subspecialty fellowship training at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital and Johns Hopkins University and holds the designation of Fellow of the American Society of Retina Specialists (FASRS). Recognized with multiple research awards and holding patents in retinal care, he remains dedicated to clinical innovation.

His area of interest includes visualization in retina surgery and the application of AI for the diagnosis of systemic illnesses specifically congestive disorders.

Dr. Adi Mohammed Al Owaifeer is a consultant of glaucoma and currently serves as an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the College of Medicine, King Faisal University and consultant of innovation at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital & Research Center. Dr. Al Owaifeer’s extensive experience in medical education includes delivering lectures, workshops, and presentations with a primary focus on the intersection of ophthalmology and digital technology. Additionally, he currently is the chairman of EYENAI the Saudi National Screening Program for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening using Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Al Owaifeer has a strong research background, with more than 40 publications in the peer reviewed literature and has received several awards recognizing his contributions to the field.

Dr. Adnan Alawami is a Canadian and American board-certified vitreoretinal surgeon, currently practicing at Dhahran Eye Specialist Hospital. He earned his medical degree with first-class honors from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in 2017, then completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Ottawa in 2023. He went on to finish a high-intensity fellowship in medical and surgical retina at the same institution, graduating in 2025. Dr. Alawami is dedicated to providing expert care in complex retinal conditions using the latest surgical techniques.

Dr. Ahmed Almeer is an Eye Surgeon specializing in Glaucoma and Advanced Anterior Segment Surgery from the Kingdom of Bahrain, working at Dr. Haifa Eye Hospital with a goal to provide the best ophthalmic eyecare in Bahrain.

• Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
• Consultant, Cornea, Cataract, and Refractive Surgery, King Fahd Hospital of University, Khobar, SA and Dr. Sulaiman AlHabeeb Hospital, Khobar, SA
• Program Director, Cornea and Anterior Segment Fellowship Prog ram, eastern province, SA.

Dr. Assaf is currently a professor in Ain Shams University and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Also, he is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon in phaco-refractive surgeries at Al Watany Eye Hospital (WEH) performing more than 115 cataract surgeries and 90 refractive surgeries per month.

He is an active participant in the annual meetings of European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ESCRS), American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) since 2004 till now.

Prof. Assaf has many publications and articles regarding multifocal IOLs, Visual quality, OVDs, Hyperpulse Ultrasound in Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, Journal of Ophthalmology, International Ophthalmology and others. Meanwhile Prof. Assaf research is related to applications of Femtosecond Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (LACS)

He received his doctorate degree from Cairo University in 2003 and his ophthalmology fellowship degree from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in 2004. He acquired clinical fellowship training in Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland, USA in 2006, where he received an intensive medical and surgical hands-on training in the field of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus.

Dr. Ahmed Awadein is specialized in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus and has performed over 15000 strabismus operations to date, including complex and recurrent cases. He has over 70 international publications and chapter books in the field of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus and has developed a computerized test to assist in the evaluation of patients with diplopia. He also participated as an instructor in various national and international conferences and is currently the secretary general of the Egyptian Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (EAPOS), as well as a board member of the Egyptian Ophthalmological Society, the Egyptian Society for Ophthalmic Investigations, and the Egyptian Council for Ophthalmology Fellowship. Dr Awadein is also the editor-in-chief of the Journal of the Egyptian Ophthalmological Society.

• Professor of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
• President of Egyptian Ophthalmological Society, Started 2024
• President of the Delta Ophthalmological Society of Egypt (DOSE)
• Member of the Coordination Committee of the African Medical Convoys
• President of the Egyptian Delta clinical Ophthalmology Association
• Editorial Board (International) in Sudanese Journal of Ophthalmology
• Associate editor in the Delta Ophthalmological Society Magazine
• Member of the Committee -Africa relations at the University of Alexandria from 1/8/2016 till now
• Member of the Egyptian Universities Promotion Committees (EUPC), the 13th cycle from 2019-2022
• Member of the board of the Egyptian Society of Ocular Implants and Refractive Surgery from 2022-2026
• Member of the board of ESO (Egyptian Society of Ophthalmology) from 2022-2026
• Vice President of the Egyptian Society of Ophthalmology ESO 2023
• General Secretary Manager of Eye Patient’s Friendship Society. E.P.F.S. Alexandria University Hospitals
• Editorial Board of Journal of Refractive Surgery
• Consultant of ZEISS Company
• Consultant of Novartis
• Consultant of Gebauer

Ahmed Mostafa Abdelrahman, MD, FRCSED. A professor of Ophthalmology, Cairo University,since 2009till present. In 2015, heachieved the Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Total Quality Management (TQM) for Healthcare Reform. He is the founder and president of the Egyptian Society for Continuous Ophthalmic Education, (EGSCOE on telegram & Website: egscoe.info). He is a glaucomaconsultant with national and international publications and innovations in the field of glaucoma surgery. He is aglaucoma reviewer for a number of PubMedprestigious Ophthalmology. He is the owner of the Giza specialized Eye center (http://www.gizaeyecenter.com) with the Glaucoma Management and Education center being part of it. 2016, the Royal College of Edinburgh council appointed him to be an examiner in the college exams. He received the Education Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2019.

• Double Board-Certified Ophthalmologist – Canadian and American Boards
• Double Fellowship-Trained Ophthalmologist
• Head of Vitreo-Retinal Division – AlBahar Eye Center
• Residency Program Director – Kuwait Board of Ophthalmology, KIMS
• Master’s Degree in Health Professions Education

Bader AlQahtani, MD, FACS, FWCRS is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained Cornea, Anterior Segment, and Refractive Surgeon, having completed his fellowship training at the University of Ottawa, Canada.

He currently serves as Head of Ophthalmology at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital and Vice President of the Saudi Society of Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery (SSCRS).

Dr. AlQahtani has a special clinical and research interest in keratoconus, corneal and refractive surgery, and surgical innovation. His work focuses on individualized approaches to keratoconus management, including corneal cross-linking, topography-guided PRK, CAIRS, intracorneal ring technologies, and advanced refractive solutions.

He is also the inventor and patent holder of the Riyadh Intra-Corneal Ring Segments (RICS), an innovative intracorneal ring technology developed for the management of keratoconus, reflecting his commitment to advancing corneal biomechanics and developing novel solutions for patients with corneal ectatic disorders.

He is actively involved in clinical research, surgical education, and innovation in cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery.

Accomplished Glaucoma Consultant and Cataract Surgeon with advanced expertise in complex anterior segment surgery, including tube shunt implantation, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), and laser procedures. A dedicated clinician-scientist with a prolific record of peer-reviewed publications and international presentations. Committed to excellence in patient care, innovation in surgical techniques, and the mentorship of future ophthalmologists.

Dr. Daniel Cherfan is an American Board of Ophthalmology–certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon. His clinical practice focuses on the diagnosis and management of diseases of the retina and vitreous. His surgical practice is primarily dedicated to vitreoretinal surgery, as well as the management of complex cataract cases. He has a particular interest in combining advanced surgical techniques with comprehensive management of complex ophthalmic disease.

Dr. Essam Al Rubaye, FRCS (Glasgow), CRAC Fellow, CABOph, FICMS, FICO, MRCS (Edinburgh), is a Senior Ophthalmologist and Head of the Refractive Unit at Ibn Al Haitham Eye Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. He specializes in complex cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, refractive surgery, and advanced anterior segment reconstruction. Dr. Al Rubaye is an active trainer for the Arab and Iraqi Board ophthalmology programs and serves as an international speaker and wet-lab instructor at major meetings, including ESCRS, EPOMEC, UKISCRS, MEOM, and IOS. His clinical interests focus on surgical innovation, complex anterior segment disorders, and advancing ophthalmic education and research.

Cornea, External Diseases, Uveitis, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Consultant at Albahar, AlDukhan specialized eye centers, KOC and Alsalam international hospitals

Head of Uveitis Unit at AlAdan hHospital

Kuwait Ophthalmology Society Vice President

Kuwait Ophthalmology Exam Board Committee

Kuwait University and Ophthalmology Board Tutor

Kuwait Board Research Committee

Main interest international collaboration, teaching and innovation in ophthalmology

Dr. Ghada Ismail Gawdat, MD, is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Cairo University and Head of the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Department at Children’s Hospital, Cairo University.

She received her Medical Doctorate in 1999 and has specialized in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus since 2000. Throughout her career, Dr. Gawdat has managed thousands of complex cases involving pediatric cataract, glaucoma, and strabismus, in addition to cases requiring penetrating keratoplasty.

Dr. Gawdat is actively involved in postgraduate medical education and has extensive experience training fellows through lectures, hands-on wet-lab sessions in glaucoma and strabismus, and surgical teaching in the operating theater.

She has authored and co-authored more than 25 international publications, in addition to publications in national journals. She also co-authored a chapter in Childhood Glaucomas, published by Springer in 2024.

A frequent speaker and chairperson at national and international conferences, Dr. Gawdat has contributed extensively to scientific and professional education in her field.

Together with her co-authors, she received awards at the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) meetings in 2018 and 2024 for research in pediatric cataract and glaucoma.

Dr. Gorka Sesma Quintana is Chairman of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Division at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KKESH&RC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he has practiced since 2016. With more than 30 years of experience in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, he is recognized for his surgical expertise in complex strabismus, childhood cataract, congenital glaucoma, and ocular trauma, and for his leadership in developing research and training programs within the division.

He trained in ophthalmology and completed a fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus at the Central University of Venezuela, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine / Texas Children’s Hospital (Houston, USA). Prior to joining KKESH, he was Associate Professor of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at Unidad Oftalmológica de Caracas, Venezuela.

Dr. Sesma has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and is a peer reviewer for numerous ophthalmology journals, including the American Journal of Ophthalmology and Eye. He is a frequently invited speaker at international congresses (WOC, AAO, ESCRS, AAPOS, WCPOS, EPOMEC) and serves as a Bureau Member of the World Society of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (WSPOS). He remains actively involved in mentoring residents and fellows in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus.

• Ophthalmology Lecturer, University of Mustansiriyah, Baghdad
• Examiner, Iraqi Board of Medical Specializations
• Co-Chairman, Iraqi Medical Association
• Specialist, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon
• Published Author, Several papers in the field of ophthalmology

Dr. Batawi completed his residency training in ophthalmology at University of Toronto. Followed by subspecialty fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery at University of Toronto and Saint Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. Dr. Batawi participated and presented in many national and international conferences and published more than 25 papers in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Batawi is a member of the Saudi Ophthalmology Society, The Canadian Retina Society, and the American Society of Retina Specialists.

• A Lecturer of Ophthalmology in Fayoum University. Anterior Segment consultant in International Eye Hospitals Egypt.
• Anterior Segment consultant in Magrabi Hospitals of Egypt from April 2005- December 2006.
• Specialist of Ophthalmology in Research Institute of Ophthalmology from May 1995 – August 2004.
• Member of American and European Societies of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
• Experience of doing more than 2000 cornea surgery, 20000 cataract surgery (phacoemulsification) and more than 5000 LASIK surgery.
• Intensive experience in working with Alcon phacoemulsification machines especially the Infiniti machine.
• Active member in the board of Egyptian cataract and refractive surgery society.
• Organizing the courses for learning and passing skills to others regarding the anterior segment surgeries.
• Consultant to Alcon company in Egypt and middle east. Educating doctors regarding phacoemulsification machines and surgical techniques. And researcher for the development of phacoemulsification machines for Alcon phacomachines.
• Sharing experience in more than 25 live surgeries in phacoemulsication in Egypt and middle east countries.

• >Concordia University, Montreal. Canada
• >University of Monterrey, Mexico
• >Universidad de los Andes, Mérida Venezuela (MD degree)
• >Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas. Venezuela (Ophthalmology degree and PHD)
• >Fellowship in Anterior Segment. Hospital Universitario San Juan de Alicante, Spain
• >Fellowship in Retina Hospital Universitario San Juan de Alicante, Spain
• >Fellowship in glaucoma Hospital Universitario San Juan de Alicante, Spain
• >Glaucoma and Anterior segment Division Chairman. Hospital Universitario San Juan de Alicante, Spain
• >Glaucoma and Ocular Trauma section. Hospital Universitario de Torrevieja. Spain
• >Professor at the School of Optics and Optometry, Universidad de Alicante, Spain. Supervise master’s degree in clinical optometry
• >Glaucoma division Consultant. King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital. Saudi Arabia
• >Adjunct Assistant Professor College of Medicine, AlFaisal University, Riyadh. KSA
• >Glaucoma Division Chairman. King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital. Saudi Arabia

Dr. Mahmood Showail, MD, FRCSC is the Section Head of Ophthalmology and Consultant Ophthalmologist specializing in Cornea, External Eye Disease, and Refractive Surgery at International Medical Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

He is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

He completed his Ophthalmology residency at the University of Toronto, Canada, where he subsequently completed two fellowships in Adult and Pediatric Cornea, External Eye Diseases, and Refractive Surgery. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC) and a member of several international ophthalmology societies, including the AAO, ASCRS, ISRS, ESCRS, COS, and Saudi Ophthalmological Society. He is a founding member and the head of Scientific Committee of the Saudi Society of Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery (SSCRS).

Dr. Maryam Al Khayat is an Ophthalmology Consultant specializing in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at government hospitals in Bahrain.

She completed her fellowship training at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (FRCS Ophth).

In 2026, Dr. Al Khayat serves as General Secretary of the Bahrain Ophthalmology Association, contributing to the advancement of ophthalmic care and professional collaboration within the field.

With extensive clinical experience, she has a particular interest in the management of complex pediatric ophthalmology cases and adult strabismus. Her professional interests also extend to clinical research, medical education, and the training and mentorship of ophthalmology residents and medical students.

She is committed to advancing clinical practice, supporting the development of future ophthalmologists, and contributing to the continued growth of ophthalmology both locally and internationally.

Upon completion of ophthalmology residency in 1997, Dr. Hosny worked as a fellow of refractive and anterior segment surgery at the University of Alicante, Spain perusing the clinical research of his Doctorate thesis under supervision of Professor Jorge Alio. He then travelled to work as a Registrar of Ophthalmology at Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh for one year. He obtained his Masters Degree from Cairo University in 1996, His FRCS degree from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1998, and his Doctorate degree in 1999.Dr Hosny has numerous international publications including coauthoring in David Ben Ezra’s book “Ocular inflammation”. Dr. Hosny is a regular presenter at the ASCRS and occasionally at the ESCRS meetings over the past 12 years. He served for more than six years as panelist and co-Chair person in sessions at the annual meeting of the ASCRS.

Dr. Hosny is currently a Professor of Ophthalmology at Cairo University, he also is a leading Refractive and Anterior segment consultant at Dar El Oyoun Specialized Eye Hospitals in Egypt.

• Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Alexandria, Egypt
• Cornea and Refractive Surgery Consultant, Alexandria University Hospitals
• Master degree of Ophthalmology (University of Alex) and Doctorate degree in Ophthalmology (University of Complutense Madrid, Spain), Fellow of Instituto Ramon Castroviejo, Madrid
• Licensed to practice in Spain, Egypt, Dubai, Sudan and Lybia.
• Founder and director of Horus Vision Correction Center, Alexandria and three other leading refractive centers in Egypt and Middle East
• Consultant Refractive Surgeon for Dubai government health authority (2007-2009)
• Member of all International Refractive Societies and Founder member of many Refractive Societies in Egypt and Middle East.
• Board Member and Steering Committee member of all Egyptian Refractive Surgery Societies
• Member of Reviewers board of many of the leading Refractive Surgery Peer reviewed journals.
• Winner of many honors and awards from Egyptian Society of Refractive Surgery, Lybian Ophthalmology Society and Emirates Ophthalmology Society.

He is the founder of Tawfik Eye Clinic and Iris Ophthalmology Training Center. His clinical work focuses on vitreoretinal surgery, complex cataract surgery, and advanced ophthalmic visualization. With extensive experience in high-volume ophthalmic surgery, he is strongly committed to structured surgical education, mentorship, and the use of technology to improve patient outcomes and training.

Consultant ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Alfalah has graduated from the College of Medicine at King Faisal University in 2011. Following his graduation, he pursued his residency training at King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, where he earned the Saudi Board of Ophthalmology with honors in 2015.

Driven by a passion for further specialization, Dr. Alfalah undertook a second residency training program at the University of Toronto from 2016 to 2021. Subsequently, he completed a subspecialty fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at the same institution. Throughout his extensive training, he had the privilege of learning from renowned experts and pioneers in the field of ophthalmology.

Dr. Alfalah has a strong foundation in research and a particular interest in the management of retinal detachment, with a focus on the latest advancements in pneumatic retinopexy.

Dr.Mohannad is a board-certified Ophthalmologist and a Glaucoma and Cataract Surgeon who has the Fellowship from the well known King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Dr.AlQurashi obtained his Ophthalmology board from the joint ophthalmology residency program in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He then completed a Glaucoma fellowship at King Khalid Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH).

Dr.AlQurashi expertise includes Standard and Micro-invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) techniques, Complex Cataract surgery. Pediatric Glaucoma Surgeries.

Areas of Expertise

• >Medical, laser and surgical management of Glaucoma in Adults and Pediatric patients, including LPI,SLT, CPC, Trabeculectomy, Deep Sclerectomy, bleb revision, Glaucoma Drainage Devices (Ahmed, Baerveldt, Paul)
• >Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (iStent, Kahook Dual blade – GATT – XEN microstent – Preserflo microshunt – Endocyclophotocagulation)
• >Surgical management of routine and complex cataract Surgeries.

Dr. Owaidhah is a senior consultant & Chair of IRB Committee at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, adjunct assistant professor at AlFaisal University. She is also the chair of the Saudi Glaucoma group and an editorial board member for Glaucoma section at EyeWiki website and the first surgeon to implant XEN implant in Saudi Arabia. She received the award of “Exceptional Physician” at May 2015 & an award from HRH Prince Abdulaziz Bin Ahmad AL-Saud for chairing “World Sight Day” activities at the Kingdom.

Dr. Omar Trabelsi, MD is a Tunisian Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon and General and Medical Director of the Clinique Ophtalmologique de Tunis, one of the leading ophthalmology centers in North Africa and the Mediterranean region.
He completed his ophthalmology training at the University of Liège, Belgium, and the University of Pretoria, South Africa. His clinical and academic expertise focuses particularly on vitreoretinal surgery and surgical retina training. He pioneered a twostep vitreoretinal surgical technique, published in 2023.
Dr. Trabelsi is a member of several national and international ophthalmological societies and serves as a Board Member of the Middle East Africa Vitreo-Retinal Society (MEAVRS). He has served as Retina Coordinator for Africa and the Middle East at the World Ophthalmology Congresses in Mexico (2016) and Barcelona (2018), and as an abstract reviewer for several international ophthalmology congresses.
He is also actively involved in blindness-prevention initiatives through Nadi Al Bassar, contributing to ophthalmic training and cataract surgery campaigns across Africa.
Outside ophthalmology, Dr. Trabelsi is an accomplished equestrian. He is a Tunisian Champion in Show Jumping (2026) and was elected to the Tunisian National Team representing Tunisia at the 2026 Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy. He is also the Founder and Manager of Hippoclub, where he supports equestrian training programs for children with disabilities and visual impairments.

• FRCS (glascow) ophthalmology 2002
• Founder and manager of Jenna ophthalmic centre 2016.
• Founder and former president of Iraqi society of cataract and refractive surgeons.2018
• Founder and co-chairman of MOCAT(Mesopotamia ophthalmology conference for advanced techniques)

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from King Abdulaziz University – Saudi Arabia (MBBCh) -2003

Board of Ophthalmology – 2010

King Saud University Ophthalmology Board – 2010

Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (FRCS) – 2012

Fellowship in Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery from King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital – Saudi Arabia- 2011-2012

Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Senior Ophthalmology Consultant at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital , Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 2013 –2021

Dr. Shady Awwad is a professor of Ophthalmology and the head of the cornea & refractive surgery division at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. He received his medical degree and completed his residency training at the American University of Beirut. He subsequently completed a fellowship in cornea & refractive surgery and then ocular pathology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Shady’s research and clinical interests are focused on analytical corneal imaging including developing machine learning models, ocular and corneal wavefront analysis, keratoconus diagnosis and treatment, refractive surgery, and intraocular lens calculations after refractive surgery, for which he has two formulas on the ASCRS IOL calculator website. He created a patented technique to analyze optical coherence tomography images of corneal haze and demarcation lines using artificial intelligence and another software to analyze slit lamp photos, among others, and accurately compute corneal lesions coordinates, surface area, and density, ideal for custom ablation area phototherapeutic keratectomy. He has several online ophthalmology software and tools. He has been awarded , the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society award, the American Academy of Ophthalmology achievement award, and the George Waring Medal for editorial excellence from the Journal of Refractive Surgery.

Dr. Shatha Hussein Alfreihi is a distinguished pediatric ophthalmologist from Saudi Arabia, currently serving as the Deputy Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Surgery at King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh. With extensive training, including fellowships from prestigious institutions like George Washington University and UCLA, Dr. Alfreihi holds board certifications in ophthalmology and has made significant contributions to her field through 12 publications and numerous presentations. An active member of several professional societies, she also participates in academic activities, including journal clubs and research committees. Recognized for her exceptional performance with multiple awards, Dr. Alfreihi embodies the ultimate commitment to advancing pediatric ophthalmology.

Dr. Sihem Lazreg currently owns and manages a private practice focused on treating ocular surface disease in adults and children in Algeria, and served as an Associate Professor at the University Hospital Mustapha Bacha of Algiers through 2008.

Dr. Lazreg obtained her Medical Degree from , completed residency at , and completed a fellowship at Paris Diderot university in France.
She specializes in pediatric ophthalmology and ocular surface diseases. She is the leader on ocular surface in north Africa and middle east.

Dr. Lazreg has authored many papers and chapters on ocular surface diseases such as severe allergies (vernal and atopic keratoconjunctivitis), dry eye associated with Sjogren’s Syndrome and graft-versus-host disease, and children’s blepharitis.

• Her main medical interests include ocular surface diseases, cornea and pediatric ophthalmology,
• Dr. Lazreg is a scientific coordinator in the Algerian ophthalmologic society, and in the JRO (French)meeting and she is member of many African, European, Asian and American ophthalmologic societies.
• Dr. Sihem Lazreg is an active member of TFOS and MENA region ambassador of TFOS DEWS2, and member of the new lifestyle report of TFOS.
• She is member of the European club of ocular surface and glaucoma (ECOS-G), and the head of the Algerian club of ocular surface (ACOS)
• She is member of the executive board of the French society of ophthalmology (SFO); EPOMEC (Dubai), JIOP (Morroco), JRO (France) and vice president of the Algerian glaucoma society.

Vitreoretinal and cataract surgeon practicing in Agadir, Morocco, trained at the Mohammed V Military Training Hospital (Rabat) and holding university diplomas in Vitreoretinal Surgery (Bordeaux), retinal imaging (Paris-Créteil) and ocular surface (Tours). Subspecialty focus on Ocular Trauma, Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and Diabetic Vitrectomy. Over 1,300 vitrectomies and 2,900 phacoemulsifications performed. Founder and director of a dedicated subspecialty retina and cataract centre serving the Souss-Massa region. First Moroccan ophthalmologist to receive the ASRS Honor Award. General Secretary of AMORS and co-organizer of the Inaugural Moroccan Atlantic Congress of Ophthalmology (MACO). Regular international faculty member and invited university lecturer, peer reviewer for several ophthalmology journals, and author of peer-reviewed publications and more than 60 congress communications.

HONOURS & AWARDS

• ASRS Honor Award — American Society of Retina Specialists, 2025. First Moroccan ophthalmologist to receive this distinction.
• Rhett Buckler Award — Best Surgical Film, ASRS Film Festival, Annual Meeting 2026, Montréal — co-author
• Best Oral Presentation — RESO 2022: “Type 1 Uveal Effusion Syndrome”
• Best Video Presentation — Moroccan Society of Ophthalmology (SMO) Congress 2022: “Stop and Chop, Step by Step”
• Third Best Oral Presentation — RESO 2021: “COVID-19 Vaccination-Induced Central Retinal Vein Occlusion”
• Doctoral Thesis — Highest honours with the jury’s congratulations and nomination for the thesis prize, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, 2018

Dr. Khoueir completed his residency at the Saint-Joseph University in Beirut. He then pursued his glaucoma training by obtaining postdoctoral fellowships from the Glaucoma Institute in Paris (UPMC Sorbonne University, Paris, France) and subsequently from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Hospital in Boston (Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA). Dr. Khoueir received the young ophthalmologist scholarship award during the 8th International Congress on Glaucoma Surgery in 2016. Dr. Khoueir currently holds the position of associate director of the Glaucoma division at the Beirut Eye and ENT Specialist Hospital. He’s a research collaborator at the Mayo Clinic Ophthalmology department. He’s a clinical instructor and lecturer at the Saint-Joseph University medical school in Beirut. He is the co-chair of the associate advisory board of the World Glaucoma Association and a member of the associate advisory board of the International Society of Glaucoma Surgery. He is interested in the medical and surgical management of glaucoma and ophthalmic imaging with a special interest in innovative techniques such as minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and glaucoma laser treatments.