EPOMEC 2026 Speakers | Ophthalmology Experts

Dr. Abdullah Assiri

Saudi Arabia

Dr. Abeer Al Ali

Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Strabismus Surgeon

UAE

Dr. Abeer Khalid AlAli is a Consultant Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Strabismus Surgeon at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE. She received her medical degree from the Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain, completed her Ophthalmology residency training, and subsequently completed a fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, South Africa. She specializes in the medical and surgical management of pediatric eye diseases, including retinopathy of prematurity, pediatric cataracts, glaucoma, strabismus, retinoblastoma, and ocular trauma. Dr. AlAli is actively involved in postgraduate ophthalmic education as a member of the Emirati Board of Ophthalmology Examination Committee and a member of the ophthalmology Arab Board of Health Specializations. She previously served as Program Director of the Abu Dhabi Ophthalmology Residency Program at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. Her clinical and research interests include pediatric ophthalmology, strabismus, and ophthalmic education.

Dr. Abeer Al Ali

PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY & STRABISMUS CONSULTANT

UAE

By the time that she graduated from the Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain in Medicine, she had realized that she wanted to devote herself primarily to pediatric medicine because of her love for children and the joy that she finds in caring for their health and well-being, especially their eyes. Thereafter, she continued passion and got accepted for a Fellowship program in Pediatric ophthalmology & Strabismus at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital-University of Cape Town, South Africa and graduated in 2019.She is well trained in clinical and surgical treatment of full range of children’s Eye diseases which include, Retinopathy of Prematurity, Retinoblastoma, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Squints and eye injuries. She is Program Director of Abu Dhabi ophthalmology Residency Program. Other qualifications:

Full time one year fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus at Red Cross War Memorial Children Hospital –University of Cape town, South Africa
Ophthalmology Arab Board-certified June, 2015
Clinical science ophthalmology examination of international council of ophthalmology,” 2014
Basic science & Optic and Refraction Examination in Ophthalmology”, International Council of Ophthalmology, April 2012
Executive Master of Health Care Administration, Zayed University2010-2012.

Currently working at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (from Nov 2010 till now)

Dr. Ahmed Awadein

Professor of Ophthalmology

Egypt

Dr. Ahmed Awadein, MD, FRCS is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Cairo University.

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.

Dr. Ahmed Awadein

Professor of Ophthalmology

Egypt

Dr. Ahmed Awadein, MD, FRCS is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Cairo University.

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.

Dr. Ahmed Elkhashab

EYE CONSULTANTS CENTER

UAE

Founder of Eye Consultants FZ-LLC
Founder of Gulf Retina Group,which includes 12 members from all over the GCC
Head of Scientific Committee of the Gulf Retina Group
Representative of the Gulf in the American society of Retina Specialists(ASRS)
Treasurer of Emirates Retina Group
Local reviewer of the British Journal of Ophthalmology Middle East Edition

Current Position:

May 2013–Present-Head of Vitreoretinal Unit and Medical Director Eye Consultants Dubai,UAE Management of all Vitreoretinal,uveitis and anterior segment cases. Our Center is working as tertiary referral center accepting and treating most advanced and complicated cases from UAE,Middle East & Africa.

Clinical Experience

General Clinics
Subspecialty Clinics(SurgicalRetina,MedicalRetina&Diabetes,Uveitis,Cornea& Anterior Segment, Neuro-ophthalmology,Glaucoma,Oculoplastic,Pediatric & Strabismus)
Accident and emergency sessions
Screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity
Fundus Fluoresce in Angiography
Photo Dynamic Therapy
Ultrasonography
OCT Scanning

Surgical Experience:

Primary and complex retinal detachments.
Complex diabetic vitrectomy(TRRD & TRD).
Retinopathy of prematurity.
Macularsurgery(Macularhole,ERM & CNVM).
Dropped nucleus & IOL.
Trauma & IOFB removal.
23g,25g and 27g Sutuerlessvitrectomy.
Phacoemulsification + IOL
ECCE + IOL
Trabeculectomy
Penetrating and deeplamellar Keratoplasty

Dr. Ahmed Elkhashab

EYE CONSULTANTS CENTER

UAE

Founder of Eye Consultants FZ-LLC
Founder of Gulf Retina Group,which includes 12 members from all over the GCC
Head of Scientific Committee of the Gulf Retina Group
Representative of the Gulf in the American society of Retina Specialists(ASRS)
Treasurer of Emirates Retina Group
Local reviewer of the British Journal of Ophthalmology Middle East Edition

Current Position:

May 2013–Present-Head of Vitreoretinal Unit and Medical Director Eye Consultants Dubai,UAE Management of all Vitreoretinal,uveitis and anterior segment cases. Our Center is working as tertiary referral center accepting and treating most advanced and complicated cases from UAE,Middle East & Africa.

Clinical Experience

General Clinics
Subspecialty Clinics(SurgicalRetina,MedicalRetina&Diabetes,Uveitis,Cornea& Anterior Segment, Neuro-ophthalmology,Glaucoma,Oculoplastic,Pediatric & Strabismus)
Accident and emergency sessions
Screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity
Fundus Fluoresce in Angiography
Photo Dynamic Therapy
Ultrasonography
OCT Scanning

Surgical Experience:

Primary and complex retinal detachments.
Complex diabetic vitrectomy(TRRD & TRD).
Retinopathy of prematurity.
Macularsurgery(Macularhole,ERM & CNVM).
Dropped nucleus & IOL.
Trauma & IOFB removal.
23g,25g and 27g Sutuerlessvitrectomy.
Phacoemulsification + IOL
ECCE + IOL
Trabeculectomy
Penetrating and deeplamellar Keratoplasty

Dr. Amar Agarwal

MS, FRCS, FRCOphth

INDIA

Chairman and Managing Director-Dr.Agarwal’s group of eye hospitals and Eye Research Centre, 222, TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600018, Tamilnadu, India Past President- International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS) Secretary General- Indian Intraocular implant and Refractive Society (IIRSI) Amar Agarwal is the pioneer of Phakonit, which is Phako with a Needle Incision Technology. This technique became popularized as Bimanual phaco, Microincision cataract surgery (MICS) or Microphaco. He was the first to remove cataracts through a 0.7 mm tip with the technique called Microphakonit. He has also discovered No anaesthesia cataract surgery and FAVIT, a new technique to remove dropped nuclei. The air pump, which was a simple idea of using an aquarium fish pump to increase the fluid into the eye in bimanual phaco and co-axial phaco has helped prevent surge. This built the basis of various techniques of forced infusion for small incision cataract surgery. He has also discovered a new refractive error called Aberropia. He has also been the first to do a combined surgery of microphakonit (700 micron cataract surgery) with a 25 gauge vitrectomy in the same patient thus having the smallest incisions possible for cataract and vitrectomy. He is also the first surgeon to implant a new mirror telescopic IOL (LMI) for patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration. He has also been the first in the world to implant a Glued IOL. He also has brought out the technique of IOL Scaffold in which a three-piece IOL is injected into an eye between the iris and the nucleus to prevent the nucleus from falling down in posterior capsular ruptures. Hypersonic vitrectomy for cases of PC rupture was first done by him and he was the principal investigator for the first hypersonic vitrectomy cases done in the world. Pre Descemet’s Endothelial Keratoplasty or PDEK was started by Prof Agarwal. Dr Agarwal has designed a new instrument called the Trocar anterior chamber maintainer in complicated cases, which helps give infusion through the anterior chamber and works like a trocar cannula. He has also started a new technique of iris suturing called Single pass Four Throw (SFT) pupilloplasty. Subsequenly he started Pinhole pupilloplasty to treat patients with high astigmatism and higher order aberrations. Dr. Agarwal has performed more than 200 live surgeries at various conferences. His videos have won many awards at the film festivals of ASCRS, AAO and ESCRS. He has more than 250 peer review articles in top journals and has also written more than 80 books in Ophthalmology which have been published in English, Spanish, portugese and chinese. He is the Chairman and managing director of Dr.Agarwals group of eye hospitals with 221 eye hospitals in 11 countries.

Dr. Bader Al Khayat

Saudi Arabia

Training and Experience:

Anterior and posterior Segment Surgeon, Südblick (May 2019 – Present)
Ophthalmology Acting Consultant, Munich University Hospital (March 2017 – March 2019)
Ophthalmology specialist, Munich University Hospital (June 2016 – Februar 2017))
Ophthalmology resident, Munich University Hospital (September 2011- May 2016)
Ophthalmology resident, Jeddah Eye Hospital (March 2008 - April 2010)

Education:

Cornea and External Diseases Fellowship, University of Munich (October 2017- March 2019)
Cataract and Refractive Surgery Fellowship, University of Munich (October 2016 - September 2017)
German Board of Ophthalmology, June 2016
European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma, May 2015
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, 2007 King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi-Arabia

Surgical Spectrum:

Keratoplasty: penetrated Keratoplasty, lamellar Keratoplasty (SALK, DALK, DSEK, DMEK), Bowman Layer Transplantation, Femtosecond laser assisted Keratoplasties.
Lens Surgeries: innovative Intraocular lenses: toric IOL, multifocal IOL, phakic IOL, Add On IOL, Sclera/Iris fixated IOL, Femtosecond laser assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)
Complex anterior chamber surgeries: Triple OP (combined Cornea and Cataract surgery)
Vitreoretinal surgery (Pars Plana Vitrectomy)
Intravitreal Therapy
Laser Vision Correction (LASEK/ PRK/ Trans-PRK, LASIK, ReLEx SMILE)
Trauma Surgery
Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft
Amnion membrane transplantation
Limbal stem cell transplantation (SLET/ KLAL)
Corneal Crosslinking (also combined with topo guided excimer laser Transepithelial- PRK /Transepithelial-PTK)
Intrastromal corneal Ring Segments: Keraring/ Myoring/ Corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segment (CAIRS)/ Continuous corneal allogenic intrastromal ring (CCAIR)
Excimer laser Phototherapeutic Keratectomy
Micro-invasive Glaucoma Surgery (I-Stent, XEN Gel Stent, Preserflo)

Dr. Daniele Tognetto

Professor of Ophthalmology

ITALY

Occupational field Full Professor of Ophthalmology and Chairman of Eye Clinic - Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Health - University of Trieste, Italy Italian Medical Licence n. 3399 Work experience Date Position held Main activities and responsibilities Date October 2019 onwards Full Professor of Ophthalmology - Eye Clinic - University of Trieste – Italy Anterior and posterior segment surgeon. 1st November 2011 onwards Position held Chairman of University Eye Clinic - Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Health - University of Trieste, Italy and Professor of Ophthalmology 2/11 - Curriculum vitae di Tognetto Daniele Europass: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu © European Union, 2002-2010 24082010 Main activities and responsibilities Anterior and posterior segment surgeon (surgery from 1st Jan 1992 to present): More than 20.000 surgical procedures. (Cataract, retina, cornea and glaucoma surgery). Director of the Eye Clinic. Tutor for surgeons in training. Head of Ophthalmology Course in the Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Trieste Head of Residency Program in Ophthalmology at the University of Trieste.

Dr. Daniele Tognetto

Professor of Ophthalmology

ITALY

Occupational field Full Professor of Ophthalmology and Chairman of Eye Clinic - Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Health - University of Trieste, Italy Italian Medical Licence n. 3399 Work experience Date Position held Main activities and responsibilities Date October 2019 onwards Full Professor of Ophthalmology - Eye Clinic - University of Trieste – Italy Anterior and posterior segment surgeon. 1st November 2011 onwards Position held Chairman of University Eye Clinic - Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Health - University of Trieste, Italy and Professor of Ophthalmology 2/11 - Curriculum vitae di Tognetto Daniele Europass: http://europass.cedefop.europa.eu © European Union, 2002-2010 24082010 Main activities and responsibilities Anterior and posterior segment surgeon (surgery from 1st Jan 1992 to present): More than 20.000 surgical procedures. (Cataract, retina, cornea and glaucoma surgery). Director of the Eye Clinic. Tutor for surgeons in training. Head of Ophthalmology Course in the Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Trieste Head of Residency Program in Ophthalmology at the University of Trieste.

Dr. David Guyton

Krieger Professor of Ophthalmology
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

USA

David Guyton is a problem solver, a clinical innovator, an inventor, a teacher, and a communicator. He followed his grandfather, father, and uncle into medicine, becoming the first of a record ten siblings all physicians. Following a physics degree from the University in Mississippi in 1965, he obtained his MD degree from Harvard Medical School in 1969. After his residency in ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins’ Wilmer Eye Institute and a Fellowship in Strabismus with Gunter von Noorden, he returned in 1977 to Johns Hopkins as the Director of Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmology, until 2011, where he continues to serve as the Zanvyl Krieger Professor of Ophthalmology. Dr. Guyton’s contributions to clinical optics and strabismus have achieved international recognition. In clinical optics he gave us one of the first automated refractors; the proper techniques for prescribing cylinders, measuring strabismus with prisms, and centering corneal surgical procedures; and the Potential Acuity Meter for assessing the potential visual acuity in cataract patients. In strabismus he has given us the exaggerated traction test for assessing oblique muscle tightness, an explanation of oblique muscle overaction and A and V patterns in patients with strabismus, an explanation of the mechanism of dissociated vertical deviation, advanced adjustable suture techniques for strabismus surgery in both adults and children, and theories of how and why strabismus changes over time. For more than 45 years Dr. Guyton has been the foremost teacher of ophthalmic optics and clinical refraction in the United States. He is a Fellow of the Optical Society of America and has served on the Board of Directors, and as President, of both AAPOS and ARVO. The most recent of his 330+ publications and 19 U.S. Patents deal with remote optical systems and automated screening devices for detection of strabismus and amblyopia in infants and children.

Dr. Farhad Hafezi

MD PhD FARVO

Switzerland

Professor Farhad Hafezi is a refractive surgeon and ocular cell biologist. Combing patient care, research & development, and teaching, Hafezi is considered a pioneer and key opinion leader of corneal cross-linking (CXL). Hafezi is one of the most cited ophthalmologists of his generation. Key Points

7 times voted onto the Global PowerList of “The Ophthalmologist”
ESCRS Council Member
Head of ESCRS Research Committee
h index 66
More than 19.000 citations in the scientific literature
More than 280 publications in the scientific literature
Impact Factor cumulative 1.045 points.
Active professorships at University of Geneva (Switzerland), the University of Southern California Los Angeles (USA), at New York University (NYU) and at Wenzhou University (China).
Since 2018, he is one of 950 FARVOs, a fellow of ARVO (Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology).
Hafezi is an Associate Editor of the JRS (Journal of Refractive Surgery) and is a present or past member of the editorial board of the Journal of Clinical Medicine, Translational Vision Science and Technology (TVST), BMC Ophthalmology, Current Eye Research. European Journal of Ophthalmology, Eye and Vision, Iranian Journal of Ophthalmology, and The International Journal of Keratoconus and Ectatic Corneal Disease.
Hafezi has won more than 40 national and international awards, including the Carl Camras Translational Research Award of ARVO, the Casebeer Award of ISRS/AAO and the highest ophthalmological awards in Belgium and Switzerland.
Prof. Hafezi has commercialized CXL technology with the focus on democratizing access to treatment. This technology requires minimal infrastructure and increases the ease-of-use by providing pre-set integrated protocols and using one customized riboflavin for all treatments. (https://www.emagine-eye.com)
Prof. Hafezi is also the co-founder of an international charity, the Light for Sight Foundation, that is dedicated to stopping preventable blindness among children and adolescents with keratoconus. This foundation expands to 42 countries and supports education, outreach, access to treatment and research activities (https://lightforsight.org/)

For a complete bio, see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farhad_Hafezi
For more information, visit: https://www.elza-institute.com/

Dr. Mohamed Hosny

PROFESSOR OF OPHTHALMOLOGY

EGYPT

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.

Dr. Mohamed Hosny

PROFESSOR OF OPHTHALMOLOGY

EGYPT

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.

Dr. Mohamed Shafik

PROFESSOR OF OPHTHALMOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF ALEXANDRIA

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.

Dr. Mohamed Shafik

PROFESSOR OF OPHTHALMOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF ALEXANDRIA

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.

Dr. Ozana Manuela Moraru

Eye Surgeon | Medical Director - Oculus Eye Clinic Bucharest

Romania

Co-opted member of the ESCRS Board and of the ESCRS Educational Committee (2012 - 2016 – attending all the ESCRS Board meetings in 2012-2016
ESCRS Academy member – since January 2014, ongoing; invited speaker for several Academy meetings
ESASO Faculty member – since January 2014 - 2024; invited course presenter for ESASO

Surgical experience (1994 – present):

Approx. 70000 cases of cataract surgery with PC-IOL implantatation (mostly phaco procedures); large experience in astigmatism and presbyopia correcting lenses and in Femto-Assisted Cataract surgeries, since 2013
Approx. 3000 cases of corneal transplantation and combined procedures
Approx. 600 vitreo-retinal surgeries
Office-Laser procedures (YAG capsulotomies, iridotomies, ALT/SLT)

Speaker for several congresses and meetings in national and international congresses (including several editions of ASCRS, ESCRS 2006-2025, SICSSO 2017-2021, Videocatarattarefrattiva, 2010 - 2025, AICCER 2021, 2024 and 2026, Koln Advent Symposium 2022, SICSSO 2018-2026, EuCornea 2022 - 2023, GIVRE 2023, MEACO- AAO session 2023, ESOIRS 2024, etc.

Experience in national and international Live surgery sessions, as surgeon: several times in ESCRS meetings, in MTK congresses, HSIORS meetings, ESASO meetings and others, between 2006 and 2019

Experience in International clinical studies, GCP certified, since September 1999 to present

Books:

Co-author in „Cataract surgery complications” – Lucio Buratto, Stephen Brint – SLACK Incorporated, 2013 – Chapter: Complications of Phacoemulsification
Author of „Practical guide for avoiding and treating complications in cataract surgery” – Curtea veche Publisher, 2019.
Co-author in “Cataract Surgery – Practice, Technique and Innovation” – editors Ashraf Armia, Otman Sandali, Rachid Tahiri – Springer 2026 – Chapter: „Descemet Membrane Detachment in Cataract Surgery”

Dr. Ramesh Kekunnaya

Paediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus & Neuro-Ophthalmology

India

Dr Ramesh Kekunnaya is the Network Director for Technology Innovation at LVPEI. He also serves as the Director of both the Child Sight Institute and the Center for Technology Innovation, and the Head of the Jasti V Ramanamma Children’s Eye Care Centre at LVPEI.

He is also an Executive Bureau Director of the World Society for Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (WSPOS), a Founder Executive Bureau Member of the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Network (POSN) of India, and an Administrative Council Member of the International Strabismological Association (ISA).

Dr Kekunnaya received his basic medical training from the Karnataka Medical College in Hubli and specialized in ophthalmology from the Government Medical College, Mysore. He completed a fellowship in pediatric and neuro-ophthalmology, strabismus, and comprehensive ophthalmology at LVPEI, followed by an AAPOS-accredited fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, USA.

His core clinical interests include simple and complex strabismus in adults and children (squint), childhood cataract, vision development, myopia, amblyopia (lazy eye), and neuro-ophthalmological disorders in children.

Dr Kekunnaya has been honoured with Achievement Awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology. He is also the recipient of the International Scholar Award and International Education Award from AAO, and the Honor Award from the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.

He has authored over 225 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has written more than 25 textbook chapters so far. He serves as the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Section Editor for the IJO, JBOVM, Current Eye ResearchHe has presented widely, is invited as a keynote speaker at both national and global levels, and is passionate about teaching.

Known among colleagues for his calm and composed demeanor, Dr Kekunnaya spends his free time listening to music and watching movies.

Publications link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=kekunnaya&sort=date

Dr. Renato Ambrosio Jr.

Brazil

Prof. Ambrósio is the first son of the late Renato Ambrósio MD, who pioneered the field of refractive surgery in Brazil in the early 1980s, and Vera Martins Ambrósio MD, a resilient and dedicated ophthalmologist who upheld the family practice after the premature decease of her husband in January 1994. Prof. Ambrósio is in private practice in Rio de Janeiro with his younger brother, Rodrigo Martins Ambrósio MD, a talented retina surgeon, and his beautiful wife, Renata Siqueira da Silva MD, a well-trained and competent glaucoma and contact lens specialist. He concluded his residency in ophthalmology at the Instituto de Oftalmologia Tadeu Cvintal (São Paulo) in 1999 and a fellowship program in refractive surgery and cornea at the University of Washington (Seattle) in October 2002 under the supervision of Steven E Wilson MD. He defended his doctorate in sciences at the University of São Paulo in May 2004.

He served as president of the Brazilian Society of Administration in Ophthalmology from 2006 until 2010, and president of the Brazilian Society of Refractive Surgery from 2012 until 2014, before the incorporation with the Brazilian Society of Cataract and Implants for the creation of the Brazilian Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (BRASCRS). He was the vice president of the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (2013-2015) and was elected president of the International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS) in 2020, staying in this position until its spinoff from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) in 2024. He is also the current president of the Refractive Surgery Alliance (RSA; 2023-2024).

Prof. Ambrósio founded the Rio de Janeiro Corneal Tomography and Biomechanics Study Group in 2007 and BrAIN (Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Networking in Medicine) in 2010, from which over 200 publications originated. He is an affiliate professor of the postdoc program in ophthalmology at the Pontific Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (lato sensu) and the Federal University of São Paulo (stricto sensu) and an adjunct professor in ophthalmology at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO).

He published an invited thesis for the American Ophthalmological Society (AOS) in the American Journal of Ophthalmology in July 2023, with the title “Optimized Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Ectasia Detection Using Scheimpflug-Based Corneal Tomography and Biomechanical Data.”

Professor Ambrósio is a fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery (FWCRS) and a world-class refractive surgeon-scientist. His research philosophy encompasses his original algorithm (A2I)2 – applying ancient intelligence (the why’s) and applied artificial intelligence (the how). His primary interests are corneal/refractive multimodal diagnostics, beyond and not over corneal tomography and biomechanics. His practice includes customized laser vision correction (LVC), phakic IOLs, refractive cataract surgery, dry eye, and therapeutic procedures for ectatic corneal diseases.

He is a devoted family man with 2 lovely daughters, Giovanna and Rafaella. He is a second-degree black-belt Jiu-jitsu practitioner and lives embracing the challenge of finding balance among his busy and proactive academic appointments, his private practice at Instituto de Olhos Renato Ambrósio and Rio Vision Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, and Centro Brasileiro de Cirurgia de Olhos in Goiania.

Dr. Rohit Shetty

Consultant Cornea and Refractive Surgeon

INDIA

Consultant Cornea and Refractive surgery Clinical and translational Scientist, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, INDIA GROW laboratories Faculty, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Univ. Maastricht.

Prof. Dr. Rohit Shetty is the Vice Chairman of Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute. He is a Professor at Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, India and an Adjunct Associate Professor at MS Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore and is an Affiliate Associate Professor and PhD guide at the Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Prof. Dr. Rohit Shetty has over 200 Publication in peer reviewed indexed Journals. He is a Corneal Refractive Surgeon at Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute, Bangalore, India. His other areas of work include Neuro-ophthalmology electrophysiology.

Prof. Dr. Rohit Shetty defended his PhD from Maastricht University, Netherlandson Understanding the Clinical, Immunological and Genetic Molecular Mechanism of Keratoconus. He has a special interest in the management of Keratoconus, tear film abnormalities and biomarkers. He has introduced cutting edge technology at Narayana Nethralaya and spearheads treatment for challenging eye disorders.

In the 2015 annual conference of the All India Ophthalmological Society, Dr. Rohit Shetty won the prestigious Col. Rangachari award for the overall best paper of the conference for his work on “Is Inflammation Driving Keratoconus? – A Holistic Study Of Molecular Pathways”.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recently conferred an achievement award to Dr. Rohit Shetty for the distinguished services he has rendered over the years to the programs of the society.

Dr. Saleh Saif Al Messabi

CONSULTANT OPHTHALMOLOGY

UAE

Dr.Saleh Saif Al Messabi is one of the most esteemed Ophthalmologists in the region. For his quality of work, he was presented the Best Surgical Performance Award by Health Authority of Abu Dhabi. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Sheikh Rashed Al Maktoum award for Scientific outstanding.

Dr.Al Messabi has been known to be a pioneer when it comes to new developments in his field. He is one of the first 2 surgeons to introduce Femto-Cataract surgery to the Middle East in early 2012 and new types of multifocal intraocular lenses. A leader of innovation and one of the first few surgeons in the Middle East to start and to teach the most advanced forms of Corneal transplant like DSAEK and DALK in 2007.

Dr.Al Messabi finished his 5 years Ophthalmology Residency training at McGill University, Canada. He then spent one year further to finish his Cornea and Refractive Surgery clinical fellowship at the University of Montreal in 2007, after which he joined Sheikh Khalifa Medical City as Ophthalmology Consultant. During his tenure he established the Corneal Transplant program for SEHA in the same year, 2 years later he founded the Residency program and served until August 2012 as Residency Program Director and Head of Ophthalmology Department. After that, he joined Samaya Eye Hospital in Abu Dhabi as medical director and partner.

Dr.Al Messabi is the President of the Emirates Society of Ophthalmology and a very active member in Education and Research. He teaches Medical students at UAE University and has always given lectures in all the major, international conferences like AAO, ASCRS, ESCRS, WOC at different cities around the world.

Dr. Saleh Saif Al Messabi

CONSULTANT OPHTHALMOLOGY

UAE

Dr.Saleh Saif Al Messabi is one of the most esteemed Ophthalmologists in the region. For his quality of work, he was presented the Best Surgical Performance Award by Health Authority of Abu Dhabi. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Sheikh Rashed Al Maktoum award for Scientific outstanding.

Dr.Al Messabi has been known to be a pioneer when it comes to new developments in his field. He is one of the first 2 surgeons to introduce Femto-Cataract surgery to the Middle East in early 2012 and new types of multifocal intraocular lenses. A leader of innovation and one of the first few surgeons in the Middle East to start and to teach the most advanced forms of Corneal transplant like DSAEK and DALK in 2007.

Dr.Al Messabi finished his 5 years Ophthalmology Residency training at McGill University, Canada. He then spent one year further to finish his Cornea and Refractive Surgery clinical fellowship at the University of Montreal in 2007, after which he joined Sheikh Khalifa Medical City as Ophthalmology Consultant. During his tenure he established the Corneal Transplant program for SEHA in the same year, 2 years later he founded the Residency program and served until August 2012 as Residency Program Director and Head of Ophthalmology Department. After that, he joined Samaya Eye Hospital in Abu Dhabi as medical director and partner.

Dr.Al Messabi is the President of the Emirates Society of Ophthalmology and a very active member in Education and Research. He teaches Medical students at UAE University and has always given lectures in all the major, international conferences like AAO, ASCRS, ESCRS, WOC at different cities around the world.

Dr. Shady Awwad

Professor of Ophthalmology & Head of Cornea & Refractive Surgery

LEBANON

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. Shady Awwad

Professor of Ophthalmology & Head of Cornea & Refractive Surgery

LEBANON

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. Sihem Lazreg

AMBASSADOR OF TFOS AND DEWS2

ALGERIA

Dr. Siham 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 in 1990 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 paediatric ophthalmology and ocular surface diseases. She is the leader on ocular surface in North Africa.

Dr. Lazreg has authored many manuscripts on 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, dry eye and allergies, Dr. Lazreg is a scientific coordinator in the Algerian Ophthalmologic Society and she is member of many African, European, Asian and American ophthalmologic societies, she is a member and ambassador of TFOS DEWS2.

Dr. Sihem Lazreg

AMBASSADOR OF TFOS AND DEWS2

ALGERIA

Dr. Siham 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 in 1990 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 paediatric ophthalmology and ocular surface diseases. She is the leader on ocular surface in North Africa.

Dr. Lazreg has authored many manuscripts on 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, dry eye and allergies, Dr. Lazreg is a scientific coordinator in the Algerian Ophthalmologic Society and she is member of many African, European, Asian and American ophthalmologic societies, she is a member and ambassador of TFOS DEWS2.

Dr. Soosan Jacob

MS, FRCS, DNB

India

Director and Chief, Dr. Agarwal's Refractive and Cornea Foundation
Senior Consultant, Cataract and Glaucoma Services, Dr. Agarwal's Group of Eye Hospitals
President - International Society of Refractive Surgery
Chair - International Society of Refractive Surgery Multimedia Editorial Board
Associate Editor - Journal of Refractive Surgery
Associate Editor - Journal of Refractive Surgery Case Reports
Section Editor (Refractive Surgery) - EyeNet (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Executive Committee Member- Global Education and Research Society of Ophthalmology
Council Board Member- Global Education and Research Society of Ophthalmology
Chair, Cornea Committee- Global Education and Research Society of Ophthalmology
Member Editorial Board: Journal of Refractive Surgery, Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, Ocular Surgery News – Asia Pacific Edition, EuroTimes (Official news journal of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery), Glaucoma Today (Bryn Mawr Communications), International Journal of Keratoconus and Ectatic Corneal Diseases, Medical Hypothesis in Optometry and TNOA Journal of Ophthalmic Science and Research
Member Editorial Advisory Board: EyeNet (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
Member Global Advisory Board: Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today, Europe; Journal – Ophthalmology and Therapy
International Scientific Board Member, Advanced Ophthalmologic Practice
Annual Stanford Rankings of Top 2 percentile scientists- (Included 2020-2025)

Dr. Sri Ganesh

MBBS, MS, DNB, DSC (Hon), FRCS (Gla), FAICO (Hon), FWRCS

India

Chairman & Managing Director, Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital - The first Eye hospital in India to get the NABH quality accreditation. With a strong academic foundation, he holds an MBBS and an MS & DNB in Ophthalmology and has been honoured with prestigious distinctions including an Honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) and an Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS), Glasgow. Dr. Sri Ganesh is internationally acclaimed for his expertise in cataract and refractive surgery. Over the course of his career, he has successfully performed more than 150,000 surgeries, earning a reputation for precision, innovation, and excellence in patient care. His contributions extend beyond clinical practice into education and global collaboration. He serves as Secretary of the International Intraocular Implant Club (IIIC) and Treasurer of the Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS). Additionally, he has mentored and trained over 300 fellows from across the world, significantly influencing the next generation of ophthalmologists & has over 100 Peer reviewed Publications. Recognized with numerous national and international awards for remarkable achievements:

Honored with the WCRS Fellowship and AUSCRS Gold Medal.
Received AIOS Col. RANGACHARI AWARD for Best free Paper 2016.
Received the Micheal Kritzinger award by ISRS during AAO 2022.
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology (IJO) Best of Best Paper Award 2025.
Received APACRS Gold Medal 2025.
Awarded the prestigious LIM Lecture d

Dr. Ziad Khoueir

LEBANON

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.

Dr. Ziad Khoueir

LEBANON

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.