EPOMEC 2026 Speakers | Ophthalmology Experts

Dr. A. John Kanellopoulos

Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Founder & Scientific Director, LaserVision Clinical & Research Eye Institute, Athens, Greece
Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman Medical School, New York City, New York, USA

Greece

Dr. A. John Kanellopoulos is based, based in Athens, specializing in Cataract microsurgery, Corneal transplants, Glaucoma surgeries and LASER Refractive Surgery.

His Academic career includes appointments as an Assistant in Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, Clinical Instructor at Cornell University Medical College, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the State University of New York at Brooklyn, and attending staff surgeon at the Cornea Service at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. He is currently a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the New York University Medical School.

In 2019, he was the first Greek to be honored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology with the Life Achievement Honor Award, the highest distinction awarded by the American Academy to ophthalmologists for their contribution to its scientific and educational programs.

Dr. Kanellopoulos is in private practice extensive innovative research pertaining to cornea transplantation, laser refractive surgery, laser cataract surgery and complicated glaucoma surgery in Europe and also in New York City. He has been a regular clinical consultant in Cornea, Refractive, and Cataract surgery for several international sites in Europe and the Middle East. His bibliography includes over 130 original papers in peer review journals, several book chapters, and multiple American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting presentations. He has been an invited speaker at Ophthalmology meetings worldwide. He is board-certified, a member of several societies such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the International Society of Refractive Surgeons, the Eye Bank Association of America, the American Medical

Association, and a founding member of the International Ocular Surface Society. He is considered an international pioneer surgeon in laser applications for refractive and cataract surgery.

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 Shabana

Ophthalmology Specialist, Clinical Lecturer of Ophthalmology

UAE

Dr Ahmed Shabana is an experienced Ophthalmologist with more than 17 years of experience in the field of Ophthalmology in different countries around the world. He is one of the most in demand Ophthalmologists in the country, with experience in being Head of the Ophthalmology department in several reputed hospitals around the country. Dr Ahmed Shabana is experienced in medical and surgical management of all paediatric and adult diseases of the eye, with a specific interest in complex glaucoma and cataract surgeries. Has a vast experience in refractive surgeries including PRK, LASIK, FEMTOLASIK, SMILE and is one of the most experienced in treatment of Presbyopia with LASIK, having performed the highest number of Presbyond LASIK corrections in the U.A.E. He was raised in the USA after which he went back to his home country (EGYPT), to join medical college in Cairo University, where he got his bachelor’s degree. After that he took his master’s degree from Al Azhar University also in Cairo, after that he got his first training in Jules-Gonin Hospital in Lausanne-Switzerland. Following that he came back to his home country again where he started the first Sub-Speciality Glaucoma Clinic In the Memorial Institute of Ophthalmic Research where it soon became the largest glaucoma clinic in the Country. He later travelled to Scotland where he passed his MRCS in Edinburgh-Scotland, followed by Becoming a Fellow of the International Council of Ophthalmology, and later he got Certified as a Glaucoma Sub-Specialized doctor from the ICO. He later travelled to the world known Ophthalmology Centre (I.M.O) in Barcelona-Spain where he got advanced glaucoma training. After that he moved to the UAE where he started his journey of providing premium health, where he underwent the first glaucoma surgery on a baby less than 7 days old.

Dr. Ahmed Almarzooqi

Consultant Ophthalmology

UAE

Dr. Ahmed Almarzooqi is a highly skilled Consultant Ophthalmologist with a special interest in medical and surgical retina, as well as cataract surgeries. With over a decade of experience in both clinical and academic settings, he has held prestigious roles, including Division Chief of Ophthalmology at Sheikh Tahnoon Medical City and Tawam Hospital. Dr. Almarzooqi received his training at two of Germany’s most renowned university hospitals—Ludwig Maximilian University and Technical University of Munich. He earned his German Board Certification in Ophthalmology (Facharzt) and later obtained the FEBO title (Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology), making him a double-certified ophthalmologist. He further specialized in medical and surgical retina through an intensive fellowship under the mentorship of distinguished German professors. An influential figure in the field, Dr. Almarzooqi actively contributes to ophthalmology in the UAE and internationally. He frequently speaks at prestigious local and global conferences and is affiliated with several respected professional organizations, including the German Ophthalmology Society and the European Board of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Ahmed Awadein

MD, FRCS is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Cairo University

Egypt

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.

Prof. Ahmed Elbarky

Consultant Ophthalmology, Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Retina and Cataract

UAE

Prof. Ahmed El-Barky is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon with over 25 years of clinical and surgical experience. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Medicine in 1997 and Doctor of Medicine degree in 2005 from the Benha Faculty of Medicine at Benha University, Egypt. In 2006, he obtained his Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) in Ophthalmology in Glasgow, UK. Prof. Ahmed is also an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Benha University, Egypt, and serves as an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, UAE. His expertise includes surgical retina procedures, such as managing complications of diabetic retinopathy and performing complex retinal surgeries for intraocular foreign bodies and trauma. He is also experienced in medical retina management, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal vascular diseases.

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. Ahmed Elmassry

MD,PhD Professor of Ophthalmology

Egypt

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

Dr. Alaa Attawan

Consultant Ophthalmologist in Retina, Uveitis and Diabetic Retinopathy

UAE

Dr. Alaa Attawan is a UK-trained Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in cataract and vitreoretinal surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital UAE and Imperial College London Diabetes Centre - Al Ain With over 20 years of experience, he brings extensive expertise in complex retinal disease, diabetic eye care, and advanced surgical management. He completed his ophthalmology training in the United Kingdom, earning his Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) , followed by 2 years of fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery. He subsequently served as a Consultant at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Moorfields eye Hospital UK, before relocating to the UAE. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologist London (FRCOphth) and the European Board of Ophthalmology - Paris (FEBOphth). He also has a certificate in Global Public health, AI and Leadership from Harvard T.H Chan school of public health USA. In Al Ain, Dr. Attawan was the Retina Service Lead and co-founder of the vitreoretinal unit at Tawam Hospital, where he played a key role in establishing and advancing specialist retinal services. His contributions were recognised by SEHA, naming him among the top 10 consultants in 2022, and by Global CEO Network Magazine in 2026. He has one invention registered under his name at the World intellectual property organization (WIPO). He has more than 15 Publications in prestigious journals and also an active educator, researcher, and regular speaker at regional and international conferences.

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. Andrew Tatham

Consultant Glaucoma Surgeon

United Kingdom

Andrew is a consultant glaucoma surgeon at Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion Edinburgh, Scotland and immediate past president of the UK and Eire Glaucoma Society (UKEGS). He is the NHS Scotland National Lead for Eye Research, Honorary Reader at University of Edinburgh and Visiting Professor at University of Lausanne, Switzerland. He completed glaucoma fellowship training at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London and Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego. Andrew is a past member of the European Glaucoma Society (EGS) Executive Committee and co-chair of the EGS Scientific Committee. He was a lead contributor for the last two editions of the EGS guidelines and currently co-chairs the EGS examinations committee. This year he was a lead for the EGS guide on bleb-forming surgery and developed a protocol for the ideal MIGS study. Andrew is a past recipient of the ARVO Innovative Research Award, Pfizer Ophthalmic Fellowship, Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ Fauld’s Trophy and Tenovus Scotland Lady Illingworth Award. He holds a master’s degree in medical statistics and in his spare time is a qualified classifier for the British Paralympic Association.

Dr. Anthony Khawaja

Professor and Honorary Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

United Kingdom

Anthony Khawaja PhD FRCOphth is Professor and Honorary Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK. He is currently a UK Research & Innovation Future Leaders Fellow and a Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine Fellow. Anthony completed a Wellcome Trust funded Epidemiology Masters and PhD programme at the University of Cambridge, and a Berkeley Fellowship at Harvard Medical School. His research concerns the genetic and environmental causes of glaucoma. Anthony’s ultimate aim is to develop prediction models that enable efficient population screening of glaucoma and personalised glaucoma care in the clinic, as well as identifying novel biological pathways amenable to treatments. Recent awards include American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Achievement and Secretariat Awards and a National Health Service (NHS) National Clinical Excellence Award. Anthony is currently Chair of the SNOMED International Eye Care Clinical Reference Group, Co-chair of the NHS England Imaging Interoperability Task and Finish Group, past-president of the European Eye Epidemiology Consortium and Director of the European Society of Ophthalmology Leadership Development Programme. In his spare time, Anthony is passionate about music: he plays the piano, composes, and enjoys listening to a broad range of music. His most played record of 2025 was We Are Love by The Charlatans.

Dr. Bader Al Khayat

Germany

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. Bader Al Qahtani

Saudi Arabia

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.

Dr. Fahd Quhill

Consultant Ophthalmologist in Medical Retina and Ocular inflammatory disease (Uveitis)

UAE

Dr. Fahd Quhill is a Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in Medical Retina and Ocular inflammatory disease at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City.

Dr. Fahd specialises in the assessment and management of uveitis and inflammatory eye diseases (uveitis, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases of the eye) as well as medical retinal disease, such as diabetes, macular degeneration, inherited retinal disease and retinal vascular disease.

He has broad experience in the diagnosis and management of complex inflammatory eye diseases, including the use of immunosuppression, as well as in treating retinal disease.

Dr. Fahd trained in Ophthalmology in the United Kingdom at Oxford, Birmingham and London, completing three Medical Retinal Fellowships in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.

He has undertaken research and served as principal investigator in numerous macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion and diabetic macular oedema trials. He has published 27 research papers on retinal and ocular inflammatory disease in leading journal/s such as Ophthalmology, British Journal of Ophthalmology and Eye, among others.

He is a member of several professional bodies, including the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

Prof. 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. Ghada Ismail Gawdat

Professor of Ophthalmology

Egypt

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

Chairman of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Division
King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KKESH&RC)

Saudi Arabia

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.

Dr. Hachemi Nezzar

Consultant Ophthalmologist

UAE

Dr. Hachemi Nezzar is a highly skilled ophthalmologist with a diverse range of expertise. He specializes in ocular plastic surgery, orbit surgery, and pediatric strabismus. With 22 years of experience, he has served in prestigious roles across France, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Dr. Nezzar holds a French Board certification, a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, and a Master's degree in Genetics. He has been a Senior Academic Consultant, Residency Programme Director, and Visiting Consultant, and is a member of multiple international ophthalmology societies. Dr. Nezzar's clinical practice includes upper and lower eyelid lifting surgery, eyelid medical treatment, ocular Surface and Dry eye treatment, IPL, eyelid and brow ptosis, reconstructive orbital surgery, lacrimal duct and lacrimal gland surgery, rejuvenation treatment, fat transfer, Botox, and micro-needling. He also offers pediatric ophthalmology and myopia management services. Dr. Nezzar's academic contributions include teaching Medicine and ophthalmology in France and the UAE, as well as publishing numerous papers and book chapters in the fields of ophthalmology and Neurosciences. He is also a member of the editor board of the Dubai Medical Journal. For those seeking ophthalmological care, Dr. Hachemi Nezzar is a highly recommended specialist with a wealth of experience and expertise in various eye conditions and treatments.

Dr. Imran Jawaid

Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Strabismus Specialist

UAE

Imran Jawaid is a Consultant Ophthalmologist, specialized in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai. He holds a MBChB degree in Medicine from the University of Leicester, School of Medicine, graduating with honours in 2010. He is also dual qualified as an Optometrist with a BSc(HONS) degree in 2003. Imran has completed his FRCOphth. with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and obtained his CCT in Ophthalmology in 2020. He has more than 15 years of experience in Ophthalmology in the United Kingdom and has completed a post-CCT fellowship in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at Birmingham Children's Hospital, UK. More recently he has been a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Head of Service for Ophthalmology at Nottingham University Hospitals, NHS Trust, which is a large tertiary centre for ophthalmic referrals. He has undertaken research in myopia, visual impairment, diabetic macular oedema and emergency ophthalmology amongst other areas and has published over 10 research papers in leading journals such as Eye, BMJ, Cornea and Journal of Ophthalmology. Alongside research Imran is a keen educator and has taught at 2 UK medical schools and contributed to book chapters in Ophthalmology. He is a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the British and Irish Paediatric Ophthalmology Society (BIPOSA) He is the recipient of several prizes and awards.

Dr. Inder Paul Singh

Opthalmologist

USA

Dr. I. Paul Singh, a Wisconsin native, joined The Eye Centers of Racine and Kenosha, founded in 1981 by his father, Dr. Kanwar A. Singh, in 2004 as the areas only glaucoma specialist, graduating from the Duke University glaucoma fellowship program.

Throughout his Ophthalmology career, Dr. I. Paul Singh has been involved with clinical research and has published papers in several ophthalmology journals. He has also presented his research at various national meetings and universities around the world. Dr. I. Paul Singh has a passion for advancing education and technology. He has brought several new technologies to the area, through adoption and research. Dr. Singh is the first ophthalmologist in the state of Wisconsin to implant many of the glaucoma devices including the iStent and Hydrus glaucoma drainage devices, perform viscodilation and trabeculotomy with the OMNI device, and goniotomy with the Kahook Dual Blade, and recently the Streamline and iAccess devices as well as the iTrack Advance. He was also first to utilize the supraciliary stents such as MiniJect and Alloflo. Continuing the quest for advancing traditional glaucoma surgery, Dr. Paul was the first in Wisconsin to perform a subconjunctival bypass procedure using the Aqualumen device.

He was the first surgeon in Wisconsin to use novel drug delivery products for glaucoma and for inflammation, such as Durysta, Dextenza and Dexycu. He has also pioneered the use of in-office lasers to remove visually significant floaters. Recently, he set up the world’s first 3D heads up in office surgical suite. He enjoys giving lectures and teaching seminars around the globe to help other doctors adopt these and other newer technologies and techniques. Recently Dr. Singh was listed as one of the Top 100 ophthalmologists in the United States according to Newsweek magazine and was recently names on The Ophthalmologist to 10 list of Glaucoma specialists world wide. He was also inducted into the Maqrquis Whos Who and featured in the Wall Street Journal.

Although Dr. I. Paul Singh is an ophthalmologist by profession, He is also a founding member of the band, Funkadesi, which mixes Indo-Afro-Caribbean styles of music. The band tours the world spreading the message “one family, many children.” Dr. I. Paul Singh is also an avid tennis player, playing four years in college, and continuing to play on USTA leagues today. He enjoys music and sports with his wife and three children at home. He often remarks, “Kids seem to put life in perspective.

Dr. Juan Alvarez de Toledo

Dr. Juan Alvarez de Toledo, MD, PHD, FEBO-CS
Oftalvist Barcelona Medical Director

Spain

Dr. Juan Alvarez de Toledo was born in Barcelona in 1963. He completed his Medicine University studies in 1988 and Residency in Ophthalmology in the Centro de Oftalmología Barraquer in Barcelona in 1992, where he specialized in Anterior Segment and Refractive Surgery, being Deputy Medical Director and Coordinator of the Anterior Segment surgery department until 2022. At present he is Medical Director of Oftalvist Barcelona. He obtained his magna cum laude PhD degree on keratoconus recurrence after keratoplasty in 2016, and FEBO-CR diploma in 2018.

He has performed more than 40000 anterior segment surgical procedures, including 4000 corneal transplants, corneal and ocular surface reconstructive surgeries amo0ng others. He is a Distinguished Boston Keratoprosthesis Surgeon (awarded by the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary of The Harvard University, 2015).

He has attended more than 400 national and international meetings, presented more than 680 oral presentations and has 96 peer-reviewed papers or book chapters published. He is a reviewer of several international journals and is affiliated to several national and international Societies, being Member with Thesis of the Cornea Society. He is the Vicepresident of SECOIR, Spanish society of cataract and refractive surgery society.

Dr. Khaled Aabuhaleeqa

Consultant Ophthalmic & Oculoplastic Surgeon

UAE

Dr. Khaled AbuHaleeqa is a highly experienced Consultant Ophthalmologist with a specialized focus in Oculoplastics, Orbital Surgery, Cosmetic Facial Ophthalmology, and Neuro-Ophthalmology. With over two decades of experience, he brings advanced clinical expertise in managing complex ophthalmic and facial conditions through both surgical and non-surgical approaches. Trained at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and further specialized in Canada, Dr. AbuHaleeqa holds multiple fellowships in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Orbital Oncology, and Neuro-Ophthalmology. He has served in leadership roles across major healthcare institutions in the UAE and is currently Lead Staff Consultant at The Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. AbuHaleeqa plays an active role in medical education and policy, serving as Vice President of the Emirates Society of Ophthalmology and examiner for the Arab Board. He is also a published author with contributions to international ophthalmology literature and remains committed to advancing patient care, surgical excellence, and academic leadership.

Dr. Khaled Khalifa

Eye Surgery Consultant

Egypt

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.

Dr. Konrad Schargel

MD, PHD,FEBO Glaucoma Division Chairman

Saudi Arabia

>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

Assistant Professor and Consultant Ophthalmologist
Cornea, External Eye Disease and Refractive Surgery

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. Maria Fideliz De la Paz

MD PhD Distinguished Boston Keratoprosthesis Surgeon (Awarded by the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary of The Harvard University, 2019)

Spain

Based in Barcelona, a Filipina by birth, is one of the few surgeons around the world who performs Boston keratoprosthesis, osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (OOKP), and Tibial bone keratoprosthesis, having learned from world pioneers. Aside from keratoprosthesis surgery, she specializes in ocular surface reconstructive and keratoplasty surgery.

She was a scholar of the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional of the Instituto Cervantes in 2002. In 2008, she joined the faculty of the Institut Universitari Barraquer and became a consultant of the world renowned Barraquer Eye Center for more than 15 years. At present, she works at the various clinics in Oftalvist Catalonia and is a visiting consultant in The View Hospital in Doha, Qatar and in Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

She earned her PhD at the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona in 2016 upon presentation of her thesis, on Boston Keratoprosthesis (cum laude). She is the author of various book chapters on ocular tumors, aniridia, and keratoprosthesis. Committed to sharing her knowledge in the field of keratoprosthesis, she has published over 50 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and regularly lectures in Spain and abroad on the topics especially related to keratoprosthesis.

Dr. Maryam Al Khayat

Ophthalmology Consultant

Bahrain

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.

Dr. Michael Amon

Specialist for Ophthalmology and Optometry

Austria

Specialist in ophthalmology: 1992
Venia docendi and Clinical Professor: 1992
European board of ophthalmology diploma (FEBO): 1995
Head Academic Teaching Hospital of St. John Vienna: 2008
Advisor for “Österreichische Ärztekammer” 2008
Professor of Ophthalmology: 2009
International Implant Club (IIIC) 2009
Member Educational Committee ESCRS 2012
Board Member of the Austrian Society of Ophthalmology 2013
Council Member ESCRS 2015
Chair Ophthalmology at Sigmund Freud University Vienna (SFU) 2016
President of the Austrian Society of Ophthalmology (ÖOG) 2020-2022
Member Publication Committee ESCRS 2024
Head and founder of:
- ""Ambulance for Uveitis and Ocular Biocompatibility"" University of Vienna
- “Biocompatibility study group” University of Vienna
- “Pediatric cataract study group” University of Vienna
Head and founder of the “Commission for Cataract Surgery and Intraocular Implants” of the Austrian Ophthalmic Society (ÖOG)

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. Mohammed Alfalah

Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon

Saudi Arabia

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. Mohammed Alketbi

Consultant Ophthalmology and Vitreo Retina Surgery

UAE

Dr. Mohamed Khalfan Ahmed Alketbi is a highly accomplished Consultant Ophthalmology & Vitreo Retina Surgery specializing in surgical retina and uveitis. With extensive experience in clinical practice and medical research, Dr. Alketbi is dedicated to advancing patient care and ophthalmic science. Dr. Alketbi completed his MBBS at Gulf Medical University in Ajman, UAE, in 2011. He then pursued advanced training at the University Hospital of Nice, France, earning a Diploma of Specialized Studies in Ophthalmology from 2015 to 2020. His expertise was further enhanced by a fellowship in surgical retina and uveitis at the same institution, where he developed proficiency in cataract surgery and other complex ocular procedures. Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, Dr. Alketbi is known for his ability to treat diverse patient populations across various countries. His clinical work focuses on managing complex retinal conditions and treating patients with uveitis. During his fellowship in France, he participated in a multidisciplinary uveitis clinic in collaboration with rheumatology specialists, shaping his holistic approach to patient care. Dr. Alketbi’s commitment to advancing medical science is complemented by his humanitarian efforts. He volunteered with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on a mission to the Congo, providing cataract surgeries and ocular disease screenings. He has also contributed to various health awareness campaigns, including breast cancer awareness and environmental health initiatives.

Dr. Mohannad Alqurashi

Saudi Arabia

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. Omar Trabelsi

Tunisia

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.

Dr. Ozana Manuela Moraru

Eye Surgeon | Medical Director - Oculus Eye Clinic Bucharest

Romania

Anterior segment surgeon, since 1994 - specialized in cataract, refractive and corneal surgery
Posterior segment surgeon, since 2020
Co-owner and co-manager in the Oculus Eye Clinic – Bucharest

Affiliation:

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
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. Piergiorgio Neri

Staff Physician - Ophthalmology Department

UAE

Dr. Piergiorgio Neri, MD, PhD, FEBOphth is a Staff Physician within the Ophthalmology Department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Surgical Institute. Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Neri was Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Polytechnic University of Marche-Ancona. Dr. Neri received his medical degree from University of Ancona Medical School, Italy. He completed His residency at University of Ancona Medical School. Dr. Neri was an Honorary Research Fellow in Uveitis at the Eye Department, University of Aberdeen, scientist visitor at the University of Tübingen and Visiting Professor at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. In 2010 he was named Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Polytechnic University of Marche-Ancona. Dr. Neri was a Medical Retina and Clinical Ocular Immunology Consultant at the Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I-GM Lancisi-G Salesi of Ancona. He was director of the Ocular Immunology Service at the Ospedali Riuniti Umberto I-GM Lancisi-G Salesi of Ancona since 2007. Dr. Neri is a member of the International Ocular Inflammation Society (IOIS), the European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA), International Uveitis Study Group (IUSG) and the European Association for Vision and Eye Research (EVER). Dr. Neri has served EVER as Section Program Secretary for Immunology/Microbiology since 2010 and became Section President in 2016. Dr. Neri is also listed in the panel of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicine Agency (EMA) and of Italian Pharmaceutical Agency (AIFA).

Dr. Prassan Rao

Optalmologist

UAE

Dr. Prasan Rao has been managing ophthalmology patients since 1995. His area of specialisation includes vitreo-retina-macular diseases, medical and surgical retina, ocular inflammation and uveitis, ocular tumours, ocular imaging and trauma, cataract. After completing his medical degree at King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, with distinction in Ophthalmology, he pursued his post-graduate training at L.T.M.General Hospital and Sir J.J. Group of Hospital, Mumbai. He was among the first resident ophthalmologists to regularly perform non-phaco small incision cataract surgery in 1995-96 in Mumbai. He underwent an extensive and rigorous fellowship training in vitreo-retinal diseases and surgery at the esteemed Sankara Nethralaya & Vision Research Foundation (Chennai, India) He has a Fellowship in Ophthalmology from The Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh. He is board certified by the National Board for Ophthalmology (India). He is a Member of European Society of Vitreoretinal Surgery (EVRS), an International Member of American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Member of American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS). He has been working in UAE since June 2003. He has to his credit as being the first surgeon to introduce in UAE – retinal detachment surgery for retinopathy of prematurity in 2003, combined half-fluence photodynamic therapy and lucentis injection for AMD in 2007, intravitreal antiVEGF injections for active ROP in 2008, lens-sparing vitrectomy for stage IV ROP in 2010, one of the first surgeons to perform 25 and 27-gauge vitrectomy in UAE. He has vast experience in the treatment of retinal detachments (simple and complex), advanced diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, age-related macular degeneration. He has performed over 3000 cataract surgeries (by phacoemulsification), over 1500 vitreoretinal surgeries and over 500 combined (Phaco and vitrectomy) in UAE since 2003. He is not only involved in clinical and surgical work, but also in surgical training of peers, clinical research, publications in peer-reviewed journals, and scientific paper presentations. He is a regular invited faculty for various local and international conferences. Dr. Rao enjoys running and badminton in his leisure time. He can converse in English, Hindi, Marathi and Urdu.

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.

Ophthalmologist, Refractive Surgeon-Scientist, Professor

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. Safwan Al Bayati

Consultant Ophthalmologist

UAE

Dr. Safwan Al Bayati is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Medical Director of New Vision Eye Center at Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), UAE. He holds an FRCS in Ophthalmology from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, UK, and is an Associate of the American College of Surgeons (AACS), USA. He also completed refractive surgery fellowship training at SCHWIND AMARIS in Frankfurt, Germany.
Dr. Safwan graduated from Baghdad Medical College in 1998 and obtained his Fellowship of the Iraqi Commission for Medical Specialization (FICMS) in Ophthalmology. He subsequently pursued specialized training in phaco-vitrectomy under Dr. Frank Koch at the Ophthalmology Department of Frankfurt University, Germany, and completed LASIK training in Munich, Germany, with Bausch + Lomb.
With extensive experience in both anterior and posterior segment surgery, Dr. Safwan specializes in phaco-vitrectomy, refractive surgery, and the management of retinal conditions. He was among the early ophthalmic surgeons to introduce implantable collamer lens (ICL) procedures in Dubai in 2005.
He is a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), and the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

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. Salman Waqar

Consultant Ophthalmologist

UAE

Dr. Salman Waqar is an experienced consultant ophthalmologist specializing in the treatment of adult glaucoma and cataracts at Moorfields Eye Hospital in Dubai Healthcare City. His areas of expertise include medical, laser and surgical treatments for glaucoma (including minimally invasive implants and aqueous shunt devices). He also offers cataract surgery using the latest small incision technology, and with a range of intraocular lenses (Toric, Multifocal and Extended Depth of Field), tailored to the patients individual needs. Dr. Waqar graduated from Pakistan and has over 15 years’ experience of work in the United Kingdom. He holds a Certificate of Completion of Training from the UK, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. He has worked in various prestigious eye units including the West of England Eye Unit (Exeter), where he completed his sub-specialty training in glaucoma. In his career, he has been appointed as a consultant across a wide range of leading medical institutions such as the Royal Eye Infirmary (Plymouth), Nuffield Health, Medical Eye Clinic and Newmedica. In addition to his clinical work, he has also performed with distinction as director of clinical governance and for the glaucoma service. Dr. Waqar’s research interests include optimizing patient outcomes with minimally invasive surgery, using virtual reality simulation to investigate surgeon performance and the development of innovative surgical instruments to improve patient safety. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, such as the British Journal of Ophthalmology and the Journal of Cataract and refractive Surgery, and presents regularly at national and international meetings. He holds memberships with the United Kingdom and Eire Glaucoma Society, the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In his capacity as an Honorary Fellow with Plymouth University, he has been involved in training the doctors and surgeons of our future. In 2019, his work was recognized with a nomination for a regional Trainer of the Year Award by the Peninsula School of Ophthalmology. In addition, he has been the recipient of numerous research grants, and has co-authored two medical textbooks. Other accolades include invitations as a surgical skills instructor at minimally invasive glaucoma surgery courses, and to the microsurgical skills course with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. In his spare time he is an avid reader, aspiring author and motivated triathlete.

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

Pediatrics Opthalmology, Associate Professor

ALGERIA

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.

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. Tariq Al-Rawashdeh

Consultant Ophthalmologist
Vitreoretinal Surgeon

UAE

Dr. Tariq Al-Rawashdeh is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal surgeon for the last 7 years after he finished his subspecialty fellowship from Charite University Hospital Berlin and Hamburg University Hospital in Germany during the period 2009 to 2012. Dr. Tariq’s strong points in eye care medical and surgical treatment for retinal disorders include Diabetic retinopathy, Retinal detachment surgery with the latest technology of 25 gage and 27 gage Vitrectomy for retinal repair plus all types of intravitreal injections and implants; Cataract surgery with conventional phacoemulsification and Femto associated cataract extraction include all intraocular lens implantation, multifocal lenses, toric lenses and monofocal; Refractive surgery include PRK, Lasik surgery, Femto Lasik and implantation of ICL and Toric ICL; Penetrating keratoplasty. Dr. Tariq Al-Rawashdeh is holding multi international board certificates during his training for 12 years before becoming a Consultant. He is holding European Board of Ophthalmology FEBO from Paris, France, German Board of Ophthalmology Facharzt Berlin Germany, Jordanian Board of Ophthalmology, Amman Jordan and International Council of Ophthalmology ICO Basic and clinical London.

Dr. Waleed Ghobashy

Assistant Professor and Consultant of Ophthalmology

UAE

Dr. Waleed Ghobashy; Assistant Professor and Consultant of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt. After serving for a year in Moorfields Eye Hospital Center, Abu Dhabi as consultant ophthalmology. Dr. Waleed started a new role in October 2020 as the Medical Director & Head of Glaucoma & Cataract Unit, Magrabi Eye Center, Al Ain, UAE. Dr. Waleed started his career in the ophthalmology field in 1996 as a resident in Suez Canal University Hospital, Egypt. He received his master degree in ophthalmology in 2000 in field of cataract surgery. He received advanced ophthalmology training from 2000 to 2005, concluded by passing MD exams , and getting his PhD thesis in “Ocular changes after myopic LASIK” from Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt. His supervisor was the Refractive Pioneer Prof. Dr. Karem Kolkailah. Dr. Ghobashy then moved to Knoxville, TN, USA to act as the clinical fellow of Dr. Steven Sterling MD; the distinguished phaco refractive surgeon of East Tennessee 2005 to 2007. Dr. Waleed Ghobashy then returned home to act as clinical lecturer and consultant of ophthalmology in faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University. From 2007 till present, Dr. Ghobashy did extensive research and clinical work in refractive surgeries, cataract, glaucoma, medical retina and Electrophysiological diagnosis of ocular diseases, with over 30 published research papers in many regional and international scientific journals, gained the title of Assistant Professor of ophthalmology in 2014. Dr. Ghobashy is a member of many ophthalmology associations, and a speaker in the annual meetings of the most prestigious ophthalmological societies including American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS), Egyptian Society of Ophthalmology (ESO), Emirates Society of Ophthalmology.

Prof. Walter Sekundo

Germany

Professor Walter Sekundo, MD, PhD is Medical Director and Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, Philipps University of Marburg and University Eye Clinic Germany.

He is a comprehensive ophthalmic surgeon with special interest in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery. He studied Medicine in Frankfurt/Germany, New Orleans and Durham/USA. He received the postgraduate training at the Dept. of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn/Germany. He also accomplished fellowships in Eye Pathology at Tennents Institute of Ophthalmology (Glasgow/UK), Corneal & Refractive Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital (London/UK), was trained in vitreoretinal surgery at the University of Marburg and in glaucoma surgery in Mainz (Germany). He is one of the developers of Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) and the first surgeon who performed it worldwide. He received several prestigious awards for this and other microsurgical developments. Prof. Sekundo is member of several national and international associations and a reviewer for many professional journals, among them JCRS and JRS. He is an Editorial Board Member of “Die Ophthalmologie” and “Eye Discovery”. As of August 2026, he published 215 PubMed listed papers, 45 book chapters and edited a textbook on SMILE (Springer 2015) and a textbook book on KLEx (Springer 2025). Despite all these commitments he remains a busy clinician with over 40,000 anterior and posterior segment procedures performed up to date.

For this reason, since 2010 the independent “Focus Magazine” has regularly ranked him as one of the 30 top cataract, corneal and refractive surgeons in Germany.

Dr. Yassine Malek

Founder & Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon
Centre d'Ophtalmologie Dr. Malek Yassine

Morocco

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. 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.