Dr. Eric Abdullayev (USA)

Dr. Eric Abdullayev, M.D., MBA, CEBT, Manager of Clinical Development and Innovations at Lions Eye Institute for Transplant & Research, Inc., USA.

Dr. Abdullayev heads up clinical innovation division where he devises newer, safer ways to store, transport, and transplant cornea tissue for sight-saving surgery.

Information to follow

Mr Hussein Almuhtaseb (Qatar)

MD, MSc, FRCSEd, FEBO, FICO

Head of Ophthalmology – The View Hospital, Elegancia Healthcare, Doha, Qatar
Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon

Dr. Hussein Almuhtaseb is a Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist, specializing in cataract, vitreoretinal, and refractive surgery.

He earned his degree in Medicine and Surgery in 2006, followed by completion of the Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Ophthalmology at the Catalan Institute of Retina, Barcelona, Spain (2013).

In the same year, Dr. Almuhtaseb received the FEBO (Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology) in Paris. He later completed a Master’s in Pathologies and Surgery of the Macula, Vitreous, and Retina at the Barraquer University Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona.

He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Phacorefractive Surgery from Ulster University (2021–2022).

Following a Medical Retina and Research Fellowship at the Institut de la Màcula and Barcelona Macula Foundation, he completed Senior Medical and Surgical Retina Fellowships at University Hospital Southampton and Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.

Since 2019, Dr. Almuhtaseb has served as a Consultant Ophthalmologist in the NHS. He has been involved in numerous international clinical trials and has presented extensively at conferences worldwide.

Qualifications

Harvard Medical School – AI in Healthcare (2025)
Stanford University School of Medicine – Healthcare Leadership & Digital Transformation (2024)
University of Barcelona – CCT in Ophthalmology (2013)
General Medical Council (UK) – Full registration, GMC 7354437 (2014)
FICO – Fellow of the International Council of Ophthalmology (2012)
FEBO – Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology (2013)
Master’s Degree – Pathology & Surgery of the Macula, Vitreous & Retina (2012)
Master’s in Refractive Surgery – Ulster University (ongoing)
FRCS (Edinburgh) – 2019
M.B.B.S. – University of Jordan (2006)

Professional Registration

General Medical Council (UK) – 7354437
Barcelona Medical Association – 45008

Previous Appointments

Up to Sep 2022	Consultant MR/VR	Northern Care Alliance, UK
May 2019 – Aug 2021	Consultant MR/VR	Bradford Royal Infirmary, UK
May 2018 – Apr 2019	Senior Vitreoretinal Fellow	Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, UK
Mar 2016 – Apr 2018	Senior Medical Retina/Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellow	University Hospital Southampton, UK
Oct 2015 – Feb 2016	Acting Consultant, Medical Retina	University Hospital Southampton, UK
Jul 2015 – Apr 2016	Medical Retina/Research Fellow	University Hospital Southampton, UK
Oct 2014 – Jun 2015	Senior Medical Retina Fellow	University Hospital Southampton, UK
May 2013 – Sep 2014	Medical Retina/Research Fellow	Barcelona Macula Foundation, Spain
Nov 2012 – Dec 2012	Clinical Attachment	New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, UK
May 2009 – May 2013	Ophthalmology Training Program	Hospital Universitari Sagrat Cor, Barcelona
Mar 2009 – Apr 2009	Observership	Barraquer Ophthalmology Centre, Barcelona

Research Experience

Dr. Almuhtaseb has participated in 30+ national and international clinical trials as Principal Investigator and Sub-Investigator.

Principal Investigator:

OPH1003 Eclipse – Phase III Fovista™ + Lucentis study (2013–2014)

Sub-Investigator:

MPL4DRY – RPE micropulse laser for geographic atrophy
Brighter – Lucentis for BRVO
Crystal – Lucentis for CRVO
MACBETH – Aflibercept for neovascular AMD
TREND – Ranibizumab treat-and-extend vs. monthly regimen

Other trials: Jetrea, Eclipse, Prometheus, Brighter, Leavo, Clarity, Spectri, Proxima B, Aqua, Proteomics, Edna, Azure.

Research Training & Affiliations

Research Training:

Foundations of Clinical Research (GCP) – Alcon, Lisbon (2014)
GCP – NIHR CRN (2014)

Affiliations:

Royal College of Ophthalmologists (UK)
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA)
ARVO – Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Sociedad Española de Retina y Vítreo (SERV)
Club Español de la Mácula
Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management (FMLM)

Publications

Full publication list available on ResearchGate:
ResearchGate – Dr. Hussein Almuhtaseb

Dr. Susanne Binder (Austria)

Field of Work: Chair of (Special) Ophthalmology – Vitreoretinal Pathology and Ophthalmic Surgery

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Susanne Binder is a distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology with over three decades of experience in vitreoretinal pathology and ophthalmic surgery.

She has served as Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Vienna since 1988, following advanced training in vitreoretinal surgery and research at Johns Hopkins University and Duke University (USA).

Dr. Binder held the position of Deputy Director of the University Eye Clinic until 1995, and from 1995 to 2015, she served as Primaria of the Eye Department at KA Rudolfstiftung and Director of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Retinology and Biomicroscopic Laser Surgery.

Her scientific achievements include the publication of over 380 peer-reviewed articles, four books, and numerous book chapters. She also served as Editor-in-Chief of the journal Spectrum of Ophthalmology until 2016.

Dr. Binder has been an active member of several key professional bodies, including the State Board of Surgery and the Supreme Board of Surgery (until 2015).

She currently holds the title of Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, reflecting her continued contribution to international ophthalmic education and research.

Dr. Clayton Blehm (USA)

Ophthalmologist in Gainesville, Braselton & Cornelia, GA

Dr. Clayton G. Blehm graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas, and earned his medical degree from the University of Texas–Houston Medical School. He completed his internship at Baylor College of Medicine and his ophthalmology residency at the University of Texas–Houston.

Dr. Blehm has led and contributed to numerous research projects, presenting findings at national meetings and publishing in respected peer-reviewed journals. He was among the first surgeons in Georgia to perform laser cataract surgery and has since taught this technique to surgeons across the United States.

He is a board-certified ophthalmologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). His practice places strong emphasis on refractive cataract surgery, glaucoma management, and severe medical eye disease.

Since 2019, Dr. Blehm has been recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and has been featured in Atlanta Magazine’s Top Docs.

In addition to serving patients in Gainesville and Cornelia, he provides surgical consultations in Blairsville, Georgia, and Franklin, North Carolina.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Blehm enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, mountain biking, hiking, playing bass guitar, and volunteering in church. He also enjoys concerts, music festivals, sports, and exploring new cities, mountains, and beaches, feeling blessed to live in such a vibrant region.

Buratto, Dr Lucio (Italy)

Dr. Lucio Buratto (born in Cornuda, Italy) graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Milan (1970) and specialized in Ophthalmology (1973). He currently practices in Milan, focusing on cataract and refractive surgery.

A pioneer of modern ophthalmology, Dr. Buratto introduced phacoemulsification in Italy (1978), posterior chamber IOLs (1979), visco-surgery (1981), and Nd:YAG laser applications (1982).

In 1980, he conceived and organized *VideoCataract*, the world’s first ophthalmic congress with live surgical transmission. For more than four decades, this meeting has been a central platform for education, featuring live surgeries, debates, and the participation of hundreds of leading international surgeons. VideoCataract pioneered the use of real-time surgical teaching and remains one of the most influential forums for cataract and refractive surgery.

In 1989, he performed the world’s first intrastromal excimer laser keratomileusis for high myopia, laying the foundation for LASIK. In 1996, he developed the “Down Up LASIK” (superior hinge), a global standard. He also pioneered the bimanual irrigation/aspiration technique for cataract surgery (1992).

Dr. Buratto has organized more than 55 international congresses, including satellite live surgeries connecting over 20 countries across four continents (1984–2001). He has performed live teaching surgeries in more than 300 congresses worldwide.

He has published 91 books (in multiple languages) on cataract, refractive surgery, glaucoma, and corneal surgery, co-authored 23 volumes, produced 32 educational videos, and authored more than 170 scientific papers. He is frequently featured in the media and has been active in national prevention campaigns on cataract, keratoconus, and maculopathy.

He has received numerous prestigious awards, including: ASCRS Best New Technique Prize (1992), Barraquer Prize (2000), ESCRS Binkhorst Medal (2004), Fyodorov Prize (2006), AICCER Medal (2017), David Dulaney Awardfrom AECOS (2018), SOI Gold Medal (2019), Charamis Medal (2023) Heritage Lecture ESCRS 2023, and ESCRS Lifetime Achievement Award at ESCRS (2025).

He served as first president of AICCER ( Italian Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgery )and honorary member of several societies, and has been on the editorial boards of Ocular Surgery News, Eye World, and Eurotimes.

Through his surgical innovations, educational initiatives, and prolific contributions, Dr. Lucio Buratto is internationally recognized as one of the leading pioneers in cataract and refractive surgery.

🔗 Learn more about Dr. Lucio Buratto

Dr Uday Devgan MD (USA)

Specializing in Cataract, Lens, & LASIK Eye Surgery

Education

Dr. Devgan obtained his Medical Doctor degree with Highest Distinction, Summa Cum Laude from the University of Southern California School of Medicine.

Education and Training:

Ophthalmology Training
Residency in Ophthalmology, UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute, 2000
Simpson Outstanding Achievement Award 2000
Clinical Research Award 1999
Medical School
University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
M.D. with Highest Distinction, Summa Cum Laude, 1996
Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Early Junior Year Inductee
Undergraduate University
College of Letters and Science, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
Bachelor of Science, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, 1992
Acceptance into Division of Honors due to achieving high school Valedictorian status

Certification and Associations:

FACS: Fellow, American College of Surgeons, United States of America, 2003
FRCS(Glasg): Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 2010
Fellow, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2002
Fellow, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 2002
Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology, 2001
Medical License, Medical Board of California, 1998

Education and Training:

Ophthalmology Training
Residency in Ophthalmology, UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute, 2000
Simpson Outstanding Achievement Award 2000
Clinical Research Award 1999
Medical School
University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
M.D. with Highest Distinction, Summa Cum Laude, 1996
Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Early Junior Year Inductee
Undergraduate University
College of Letters and Science, UCLA, Los Angeles, California
Bachelor of Science, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, 1992
Acceptance into Division of Honors due to achieving high school Valedictorian status

Current Professional Status:

Private Ophthalmic Practice
Devgan Eye Surgery: Cataract, Lens, & LASIK Eye Surgery, Los Angeles, CA
Partner: Specialty Surgical Center, Beverly Hills, CA
Academic Position: Chief of Ophthalmology
Olive View UCLA Medical Center, UCLA School of Medicine
Staff of 20 ophthalmologists, 24 eye residents, 20,000 patient visits annually
Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology with Honors
UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, faculty member since 2000
Only three-time winner of the surgical teaching award 2002, 2007, 2012
Key Opinion Leader, Ophthalmic Teacher & Presenter
International lecturer in 40+ countries with Live Surgery done in multiple countries
One of the top 20 ophthalmology key opinion leaders in the USA
Ophthalmic Surgery Columnist, Writer, & Contributor
Editorial Board Member for 8 major ophthalmic publications
More than 300 articles written, more than 500 internet postings, 50 videos, blogs, etc.

Honors, Awards, & Invited Lectures:

Achievement Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology 2009
Three-Time Winner, Teaching Award, Jules Stein Eye Institute, 2002, 2007, & 2012
Creator & Sponsor, Resident Best Surgeon Award, Jules Stein Eye Institute, 2002 to 2010
Grand Prize Winner, Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, Surgery Film Festival, March 2005
Visiting Professorship Invited Lecture, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, June 2005
Visiting Professorship Invited Lecture, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL 2010
Invited Teacher, Resident Surgical Course, Mass. Eye & Ear, Harvard Medical School
Keynote Speaker and Invited Guest of Honor at more than 100 eye meetings over the past decade

Teaching Activities:

UCLA Resident Surgical Teaching, approximately 250 surgical procedures per year (2000-present)
- Approximately 3,000 total surgical procedures among 100+ residents personally instructed
Course Lead Instructor, multiple courses at the AAO and ASCRS Annual Meetings (multiple years)
CLA Medical Student Preceptor (2005-present) with multiple projects in progress and multiple medical student and resident physician papers published

Publications and Productions:

Book Chapters

Surgical Techniques in Phacoemulsification, Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, 2007 Feb; 18(1):19-22.
Phaco Fluidics & Phaco Ultrasound Power Modulations, Ophthalmology Clinics of North America, 2006 Dec; 19(4):457-68.
Pearls in the Transition to Phacoemulsification, Highlights of Ophthalmology,
Basics of Phacoemulsification Parameters: Fluidics & Power Modulations. Contemporary Ophthalmology, in progress.

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

Evaluating teaching methods of cataract surgery: validation of an evaluation tool for assessing surgical technique of capsulorhexis. Smith RJ, McCannel CA, Gordon LK, Hollander DA, Giaconi JA, Stelzner SK, Devgan U, Bartlett J, Mondino BJ. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2012 May;38(5):799-806.
Methicillin resistance of Staphylococcus species among health care and nonhealth care workers undergoing cataract surgery. Olson R, Donnenfeld E, Bucci FA Jr, Price FW Jr, Raizman M, Solomon K, Devgan U, Trattler W, Dell S, Wallace RB, Callegan M, Brown H, McDonnell PJ, Conway T, Schiffman RM, Hollander DA. Clin Ophthalmol. 2010 Dec 10;4:1505-14.
Devgan U. Phaco Fundamentals, including Phaco Power Modulations and Phaco Fluidics. American Academy of Ophthalmology, Focal Points, July 2010.
Use of triamcinolone acetonide particles to visualize aqueous outflow. Devgan U. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging. 2007 May-Jun;38(3):258-60.
Surgical techniques in phacoemulsification. Devgan U. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2007 Feb;18(1):19-22.
Phaco fluidics and phaco ultrasound power modulations. Devgan U. Ophthalmol Clin North Am. 2006 Dec;19(4):457-68. Review.
Devgan U. Challenging Cataract Consultation. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2006 Dec; 32(12):1994-5
Devgan U. Reducing Phaco Energy. J Clinical & Surgical Ophthalmology. 2005 Nov; 23(8); 290-292.
Devgan U. Flip-and-Chop Technique of Cataract Surgery. Techniques in Ophthalmology. 2005 Mar; 3(1): 1-5. Lead Article.
Surgical undertreatment of glaucoma in black beneficiaries of Medicare. Devgan U, Yu F, Kim E, Coleman AL. Arch Ophthalmol. 2000 Feb;118(2):253-6.
Pediatric tympanoplasty. A 10-year experience. Chandrasekhar SS, House JW, Devgan U. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995 Aug;121(8):873-8.

Monthly Teaching Columns / Ophthalmology Trade Journal Articles

Back to Basics Column, Ocular Surgery News (US and Worldwide), every month
- Explains the basic concepts behind ocular surgical techniques
Learning Phacoemulsification Column, Ophthalmology World Report, monthly
- Teaching Asian Surgeons to move from extracapusular surgery to phacoemulsification
Innovators Series Interviews, Ocular Surgery News (US and Worldwide), November 2006 onwards
- Interviewing prominent ophthalmology innovators so we can all learn from them
More than 100 articles in the Ophthalmology Trade Journals

Surgical Teaching Videos

More than 50 videos teaching anterior segment surgical techniques and management of complications. Too numerous to list, however a DVD is available upon request. Also view-able via a Google search & YouTube

Top Ophthalmologist Los Angeles | Curriculum Vitae | Dr. Devgan

Prof Dr med Burkhard Dick (Germany)

M.D., Ph.D., FEBOS-CR

President of ESCRS
Professor and Chairman, University at Bochum, Germany

Prof. Dr. Burkhard Dick joins the EuroEyes International Medical Advisory Board and empowers it’s european staff to capture advanced medical knowledge, promotes innovation in technology, and enhances the quality and service standard of the refractive field.

EuroEyes International Eye Clinic Limited, a well-established leading ophthalmic medical group, is pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Burkhard Dick has joined The EuroEyes International Medical Advisory Board. He will strive to promote continued medical education for European staff of the Group, foster innovation in technology and raise the quality and service standard of the refractive field.

As one of the most influential surgeons who pioneered bladeless laser cataract surgery in Europe, Prof. Dr. Burkhard Dick has a renowned reputation in the global ophthalmology community, serving as a regular lecturer at international meetings, such as the European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons, the Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft, the Deutschen Ophthalmochirurgen (DOC), the Deutschsprachige Gesellschaft fur Intraokularlinsen-Implanation und Refraktive Chirurgie, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

He has instructed fellows from 38 different countries in state-of-the-art cataract, refractive, glaucoma, and vitreoretinal surgery. In the “Power List 2018” ranking of the world’s most influential ophthalmologists by the publication, The Ophthalmologist, Prof. Dr. Dick was listed among the Top 20, and he has been in the Top 50 several times before.

Prof. Dr. Burkhard Dick – a pioneer in the industry

Prof. Dr. Dick joined the eye hospital of the University of Mainz in 1996 where he became a professor in 2003. In 2006, Prof. Dr. Burkhard Dick was appointed as the chair of the department of ophthalmology at the University of Bochum and director of the University Eye Clinic, conducting R&D and promoting the cataract and refractive treatment, and leading the team to establish an internationally renowned ophthalmology clinic with outstanding achievements. During his 30 years of practice, Prof. Dr. Dick persistently pursued more advanced and effective surgical techniques to promote the development of ophthalmology medical education.

Dr Sean Edelstein MD (USA)

Sean Edelstein, M.D. is a corneal surgeon with expertise in laser vision correction (LASIK and PRK), corneal transplantation and cataract surgery. Originally from South Africa, he completed his ophthalmology training at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Edelstein has been in practice since 2008 and primarily performs LASIK procedures in St. Louis and Chicago. He was appointed Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at St. Louis University where he was awarded outstanding teacher of the year in 2021. Dr. Edelstein also provides ophthalmologic and surgical care with Quantum Vision Centers in southern Illinois. Dr. Edelstein is assistant medical director of the Mid-America Transplant Eye Bank.

In recognition of his expertise, Dr. Edelstein has been named one of the Best Doctors in America every year since 2011, and by Who’s Who as one of the top doctors in the country. Dr. Edelstein is known for his friendly, empathetic demeanor and is passionate about his work and obtaining excellent clinical outcomes for his patients. In his free time, Dr. Edelstein likes to travel, cycle, and spend time with his family and French bulldogs.

EDUCATION | TRAINING

Medical Doctor degree from University of Cape Town, South Africa
Internal Medicine Residency, St. Mary’s Health Center, St. Louis, MO
Ophthalmology Residency and Cornea & Refractive Surgery Fellowship, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

ACCOMPLISHMENTS | HONORS | MEMBERSHIPS | AFFILIATIONS

American Academy of Ophthalmology
Eye Bank Association of America and Cornea Society
Board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and Internal Medicine
Assistant Medical Director at Mid-American Transplant & Eye Bank, St. Louis
Past President of Saint Louis Ophthalmologic Society

Dr David Gunn MD (Australia)

Cornea, Cataract, Laser and Refractive Eye Surgery Specialist

MBBS (Hons I), BSc, CertLRS, FRANZCO

Dr David Gunn is a Brisbane based ophthalmologist specialising in medical and surgical diseases of the cornea, complex cataract surgery and laser and refractive eye surgery.

He was educated in Brisbane and graduated from The University of Queensland Bachelor of Science and Medicine programs awarded with First Class Honours. He completed his medical residency and ophthalmology training throughout Queensland and was awarded the prestigious K. G. Howsam gold medal for obtaining the highest results in the Australian and New Zealand final ophthalmology examinations.

Dr Gunn undertook fellowship training at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital followed by further subspecialty training in corneal, advanced cataract and refractive surgery at the renowned Bristol Eye Hospital.

Dr Gunn practices at the Queensland Eye Institute and holds a public appointment at the Mater Hospital Brisbane where he also offers intermediate surgery to uninsured patients.

He is active in eye disease research and publishes in local and international medical journals. He is involved in the training of surgical registrars, medical students and nurses and is an honorary faculty member of The University of Queensland.

Dr David Gunn‘s interest in ophthalmology began at an early age. Since then, he has celebrated a number of professional achievements, including receiving the RANZCO Howsam Medal at the end of his ophthalmology registrar training. Get to know more about the QEI Clinic’s Cornea, Cataract, Laser and Refractive Eye Surgery Specialist below!

Dr. Brian Harrisberg (Australia)

MB BCh, FRACS, FRANZCO

Specialties: Cataract Surgery • Refractive Surgery • Diabetic Eye Disease • General Ophthalmology

Dr. Brian Harrisberg is one of Australia’s most accomplished and experienced ophthalmologists, specializing in cataract and refractive surgery. Over his career, he has performed thousands of vision correction procedures and is regarded as a key opinion leader in intraocular lens design and technology development.

He is internationally recognized, frequently invited to speak and present research at global ophthalmology conferences, and has authored multiple research papers published in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Harrisberg plays a key role in international multicentre clinical trials through institutions including:

Chris O’Brien Lifehouse
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
The Brain & Mind Research Institute
Sydney Cancer Centre

After completing his undergraduate medical training in South Africa, Dr. Harrisberg emigrated to Australia, where he completed his medical and surgical residency at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. It was there that he discovered his passion for ophthalmology.

He achieved his Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO) in 1991, following specialty training in ophthalmic surgery.

As former Head of Ophthalmology at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (2005–2010), Dr. Harrisberg is deeply involved in mentoring registrars, medical students, and fellows in ophthalmology and endocrinology through teaching programs at the hospital.

He has also worked closely with The Diabetes Centre at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for over 30 years, managing complex diabetic eye disease alongside endocrinologists.

Fellowships

1989–1990: Medical Retina – Dr. Roy Frank Taylor & Prof. Peter McCluskey, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
1997: C-LASIK – Director Dr. Peter Stewart
1996: C-LASIK – Director Dr. Stephen Slade
1993: Radial Keratotomy – Director Dr. J. Charles Casebeer

Career Highlights

First Australian surgeon to implant the Rayner EMV lens (2021)
First Australian surgeon to implant a sulcus-based intraocular lens
First Australian surgeon to implant the Schiaroth Macular Lens (SML) for macular degeneration (2018)
Pioneered dual in-the-bag and sulcus lenses as a primary procedure in Australia
Trained Fijian ophthalmologists in retinal laser use for diabetic eye management
Head, Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (2005–2010)

Consulting Locations

Central Sydney Eye Surgeons
Suite G8, RPA Medical Centre
100 Carillon Avenue, Newtown NSW 2042

Other Interests

Nature and bird photography – birds.nature.world on Instagram

Dr James Hays MD (USA)

Dr. Hays is a board-certified ophthalmologist currently practicing cataract, corneal transplant and refractive surgery at Woolfson Eye Institute. Dr. Hays has extensive experience in refractive and corneal surgery, performing over 12,000 refractive surgeries and 25,000 cataract surgeries during his industrious career.

After spending his early years in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Hays received his undergraduate degree with honors from Michigan State University. He then attended medical school at the renowned University of Michigan. After graduation, he completed his residency and internship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, which included a stint as Chief Resident. Upon completing his residency, he went on to complete a two year corneal fellowship at the Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He obtained board certification in 1985, and is licensed in both Georgia and Tennessee. More recently, because of his interest in business, he attended Auburn University School of Business, graduating with an M.B.A. in 2009.

From the beginning of his career, Dr. Hays has been an active lecturer, teacher, and published researcher. His presentation topics, which have been presented in the United States as well as nine other countries, include all aspects of Radial Keratotomy (RK) and corneal surgery. Dr. Hays’ interest in sharing his skill led to him to teach courses on the techniques of RK, corneoscopy, and corneal topography. He has been an active instructor since 1983 for various companies, hospitals, and private practices.

Dr. Hays has been recognized many times during his career for his contributions to ophthalmology. Some of these awards include: Greatest Scientific and Clinical Significance of Papers Published in 1984 and The American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award in 2000. He remains active in several prestigious professional organizations related to his field which include: The American Academy of Ophthalmology, International Society for Refractive Surgery, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and Medical Association of Georgia.

Dr. Hays is an avid runner, participating in 21 of the last 22 Peachtree Road Races. He currently resides in Roswell, Georgia and enjoys playing golf and tennis when he is not engaged in his practice.

James Hays, MD

Dr med Peter Hoffmann

(Germany)

Dr. med. Peter Hoffmann MD, is a cataract, refractive and glaucoma surgeon at Augen- & Laserklinik Castrop-Rauxel in Castrop-Rauxel, Germany.

He is known as an experienced researcher in ophthalmology focusing on corneal power, cataract surgery, and intraocular lens (IOL) calculation.

Prof Dr med Mike P Holzer (Germany)

Prof Dr med Mike P Holzer MD FEBO

Medical Education

Medical School
Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Germany (10/1993 to 03/1999)
Humboldt University Berlin, Germany (04/1999 to 06/2000)

Graduation (Medical Doctor)
06.06.2000

Doctoral Thesis (Dr. med.)
15.06.2000, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg

Postgraduate Training

Post-Doctoral Fellowship
Cataract, Cornea and Refractive Surgery
David J. Apple, MD; Kerry D. Solomon, MD
Magill Research Center for Vision Correction, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston SC, USA
01.08.2000 to 31.07.2002

Residency
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Heidelberg, Germany
01.09.2002 to 31.08.2005

Academic Appointments

Faculty Member
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Heidelberg, Germany (01.09.2005 to 28.02.2017)

Board Certified Ophthalmologist
07.12.2005

Habilitation (Privatdozent)
08.02.2007, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg (Associate Professor)

Außerplanmäßiger Professor
13.04.2010, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg (Adjunct Professor)

Vice Chairman
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Heidelberg and International Vision Correction Research Centre (IVCRC), Heidelberg, Germany (01.01.2012 to 28.02.2017)

Private Practice

Owner, Private Practice and Surgical Center
Since 01.04.2017, Eye Center Prof. Holzer and Prof. Rabsilber, Weinheim and Mannheim, Germany

Research Interests

Refractive Surgery

Presbyopia correction
Management of complications
New surgical technologies including femtosecond lasers
Improvement of visual outcomes

Cataract Surgery

New IOL technologies including aspheric, multifocal, trifocal, toric and EDOF IOLs
Ophthalmic viscoelastic devices

Cornea Surgery

New surgical technologies including crosslinking

Languages

German (native); English (business fluent); French (elementary)

Full CV:
Read full CV

Prof Dr med Michael C Knorz (Germany)

Dr. Knorz earned his medical degree from the University of Heidelberg in 1983. Since 2001, he serves as Professor of Ophthalmology at the Medical Faculty Mannheim of the University of Heidelberg in Mannheim, Germany.

Dr. Knorz introduced LASIK in Germany in 1993 and founded the FreeVis LASIK Center at the University Medical Center Mannheim in 1999. He is currently its CEO and medical director.

Dr. Knorz is Senior Associate Editor of the Journal of Refractive Surgery. He served as president of the International Intraocular Implant Club (IIIC) and currently holds the position of executive director of IIIC.

Dr. Knorz´s research interests focus on cataract and refractive surgery. He has published numerous original articles in peer reviewed journals as well as book chapters, and a comprehensive textbook on phacoemulsification.

Dr Ben LaHood MD (Australia)

MBChB PGDipOphth PhD FEBO-CR FRANZCO FWCRS
Ophthalmologist
Cataract & Refractive Surgeon
Australia
www.drbenlahood.com

Ophthalmologist specialising in cataract surgery and laser refractive surgery as well as looking after a wide range of eye health and vision concerns.

Dr Ben LaHood operates as a specialist Adelaide eye surgeon and is a world leader in research focused on astigmatism management, regularly being invited to teach and speak about cataract surgery internationally.

His journal publications are cited worldwide. Dr Ben LaHood also hosts popular podcasts on ophthalmology.”

At a young age Ben experienced the impact of blindness firsthand when growing up he watched his grandfather go completely blind from glaucoma. As a child, and then a young adult, he regularly visited eye clinics and saw how many people had eye and vision issues that were preventable or could be improved with medical intervention. Being a bright, perceptive, and emotionally intelligent person, this experience inspired him to become an ophthalmologist and to help people both maintain and improve their vision.

There is no denying that Ben is highly knowledgeable and passionate about his chosen field. As a person who strives for perfection, has excellent ability to focus on and pay attention to intricate detail, and with a natural creative flair and love of science-based symmetry, ophthalmology provided the perfect combination of these skills and interests. He continues to love his chosen specialty and strives to stay informed, educate, and be educated about the latest technology and ophthalmic knowledge available to him.

Academically brilliant and with direct life experience to connect this knowledge to real-life application, Ben actively practices a patient first focus, and his genuine interest in individual patient health and maximising visual outcomes, drives him in both his surgical practice and his research pursuits. This coupled with his warm personality and commitment to listen to what each patient wishes to achieve in their lifestyle, makes him one of the best eye surgeons globally.

Ben is driven daily to provide the best possible refractive and visual outcomes for his patients, striving to help them achieve their visual goals. He genuinely works to understand each issue and then design the treatment solution for it, aiming for each patient to have the best unaided visual acuity as an outcome of their time and trust in him.

Dr LaHood is an experienced surgeon with the benefit of being educated in the modern age and his career pathway is provided in more detail here.

Ben is a world recognised expert in cataract and refractive surgery and has considerable experience in several surgical subspecialties as detailed below.

Laser vision correction surgery with LASIK, SMILE and PRK
Refractive lens exchange
Cataract surgery with multifocal intraocular lenses
Cataract surgery following previous laser vision correction
Treatment of presbyopia (loss of near vision with age)
Management of astigmatism
Pterygium surgery
Laser treatment of irregular corneas
Crosslinking of keratoconus
Removal of lid lesions and cosmetic reconstruction

AN EDUCATOR

Ben is a talented educator and communicator and is the author of two ophthalmic podcasts, and active social media feeds that are highly educational as well as humorous. He is also a Senior Clinical Lecturer at Adelaide University.

More about this side of his career can be found at the below links.

Prof Joaquín Fernández Pérez (Spain)

MD, an MSc in Evidence-Based Healthcare from the University of Oxford, PhD in Applied Physics from the University of Alicante.

CEO of Qvision and Medical Director of Andalusian Ophthalmology Institute at Vithas Hospitals.

He serves as a Patron of the Elena Barraquer Foundation, through which he participates in two surgical expeditions per year aimed at eradicating preventable blindness caused by cataracts.

Dr. Fernández has been published in numerous national and international research journals and has contributed to several books related to ophthalmology.

As an anterior segment surgeon with extensive experience, he regularly performs live surgeries and delivers presentations at leading national and international ophthalmology congresses.

Specialising in Refractive Surgery, Presbyopia, and Cataracts, Dr. Fernández has published over 80 research studies in peer-reviewed journals and co-authored multiple books. His Research focuses on visual performance with Simultaneous Vision IOLs, Refractive Surgery and IOLs power calculation.

As a Trustee of the Elena Barraquer Foundation, he leads two annual surgical expeditions to combat preventable blindness caused by cataracts.

At the ESCRS, Dr. Fernández has held key roles, including Past-Chair of the Research Committee and currently serves as Executive Secretary. He contributes actively to several Committees, such as the Leadership, Business, and Innovation Committee and he is Chair of the Functional Vision Working Group that developed the ESCRS Evidence-Based Functional Classification of Simultaneous Vision IOLs published in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

https://www.escrs.org/about-escrs/council-of-management

🔗Dr. Joaquín Fernández Pérez’s profile on Refractive Alliance

MD Vladimir Pfeifer FEBOS-CR

(Slovenia)

Head of Refractive and Cornea Service at University Eye Hospital,
University Clinic Center Ljubljana
Director at Eye Surgery Center Pfeifer
President SSCRS (Slovenian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons)
Board member of the SESCRS (Southeast European Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery)
Member of the Education Committee at ESCRS
(European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons)
Member of the Board for Transplantation at the Ministry of Health, Republic of Slovenia
ESCRS EBO Examination Board Member

Pineda_Roberto_602-0467-sq-retouched AAO 2024

Dr Roberto Pineda, MD

Ophthalmologist | Specialist in Corneal Disorders, Refractive Surgery & Ocular Trauma

A native of Minneapolis, MN, Dr. Pineda completed his undergraduate and medical degree at the University of Minnesota Medical School, where he was elected to AOA. He was selected for the Howard Hughes NIH-HHMI Research Scholars Program at the Cloisters in Bethesda Maryland where he worked with retinoblastoma cell lines at the National Eye Institute. He went on to complete his residency in Ophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School where he served as Chief Resident and Director of the Trauma Service for an additional year. As a Heed Fellow recipient, he completed his Cornea and Refractive Surgery Fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Currently, he is The Thomas Y and Clara W Butler Chair in Ophthalmology and an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, serving as full-time faculty of the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Service at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Additionally, he was the former Division Chief of Ophthalmology at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Director of Refractive Surgery. Dr. Pineda regularly lectures nationally and internationally at our professional meetings, including several named lectures and at the recent World Cornea Congress, and has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers and co-authored 5 books including the award-winning Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Illustrated Manual of Ophthalmology (5^th ed.) and the Essentials of Cataract Surgery (2^nd ed). He has received both the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Achievement and Senior Achievement Awards and has served on the AAO Practicing Ophthalmology Committee in Cataract, AAO Ethics Committee and the AAO Preferred Practice Pattern, Adult Cataract. In 2017, he was elected and induced to the International Intraocular Implant Club (IIIC), an international ophthalmological society.

He regularly participates in the Flying Eye Hospital Programs organized by ORBIS International since 1998, with the most recent program to Bangladesh this past November 2024. He has been involved in numerous other global programs such as LifeLine Express in China and SightLife’s surgical skill transfer program for corneal transplantation as well as his research with the global Boston Keratoprosthesis program in Ethiopia and Sudan since 2007. He has served on the International Council of Ophthalmology’s (ICO) Fellowship committee and has regularly sponsored award recipients of ICO and IOFF from developing countries since 2005. He currently sits on the Board of KeraLink International working to reduce corneal blindness through advancements in novel low resource technologies.

More Recently, in 2021, he was selected Surgical Teacher of the Year by the ophthalmology residents at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and at the 2023 AAO meeting, he was the recipient of the ISRS Jose Barraquer Lecture and Award, honoring a physician who has made significant contributions in the field of refractive surgery.

Prof Dan Z REINSTEIN (UK)

MD, MA(Cantab), FRCSC, DABO, FRCOphth, FEBO, PG Dip CRS, Cert LRS

Prof Reinstein founded the London Vision Clinic in 2002 and holds professorships at Columbia University New York, Ulster University Belfast, and Sorbonne University Paris. After graduating from Cambridge in 1989 he developed a robotic VHF digital ultrasound technology which was the first method to measure the epithelium of the cornea with 1 micron precision in 3D. This led to a series of discoveries in the field of laser eye surgery as it was the only way to get histological level examination of the different layers of the cornea after laser eye surgery in humans. The device also became the most accurate method of determining the size of implantable contact lenses which go behind the iris to correct extreme refractive errors. Prof Reinstein also developed PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision for ageing eyes (or presbyopia reading vision) and was deeply involved in the progression of flap based LASIK to SMILE – a keyhole LASIK procedure and has written a textbook on this technique which has become the go-to gold standard worldwide. He has published over 225 peer-reviewed scientific papers, over 50 book chapters, and has given more than 1,200 international presentations and lectures. Surgically he has performed over 35,000 refractive surgical procedures. He was awarded the Waring Medal (2006), the Kritzinger Award (2013), the American Academy of Ophthalmology Lifetime Achievement Award (2020), the 2023 United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Lifetime Achievement Award (2023) and the highest honour in the field of Refractive Surgery: the Barraquer Award from the International Society of Refractive Surgery (2024).

Prof Dr. Berthold Seitz (Germany)

Professor Dr. med. Berthold Seitz is a German ophthalmologist and academic, renowned as the Director of the Department of Ophthalmology at Saarland University Medical Center in Homburg, Germany.

His scientific contributions include advancements in cornea transplantation, such as minimizing postoperative astigmatism, along with expertise in cataract surgery and artificial lens calculation.

He has held positions like the Vice Chair of the International Ophthalmological Fellowship Foundation (IOFF) and is involved in various international ophthalmological initiatives, including eye banks and exchange programs with institutions in Africa and Asia.

Key Details

Current Role: Director of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Saarland University Medical Center.

Specialization:

Ophthalmology, with a focus on cornea transplantation, cataract surgery, and refractive surgery.

Key Contributions:

Pioneered methods for minimizing postoperative astigmatism in cornea transplants.

Contributed to the field of artificial lens calculation after refractive corneal surgery.

Involved in the establishment and operation of an eye bank at his department.

Engaged in educational programs and international collaborations, such as those with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and the International Ophthalmological Fellowship Foundation (IOFF).

Berthold Seitz has been founding member and speaker of the Sektion Kornea in the German Ophthalmological Society DOG.

Berthold Seitz (born 25 June 1962 in Schwarzenbach (Bavaria)) is a German ophthalmologist, professor and director of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Saarland University Medical Center in Homburg, Saarland. He is known for his scientific contributions in the fields of cornea transplantation (especially methods for minimisation of postoperative astigmatism), cataract surgery and artificial lens-calculation after refractive corneal surgery as well as techniques of amniotic membrane transplantation and its histological integration patterns in the cornea.

Biography

Seitz studied human medicine at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg from 1981 to 1988. He received his medical license in 1988 and qualified as a medical specialist for ophthalmology in Munich in 1993. He completed the European Board of Ophthalmology Examination (FEBO) in Paris in 1996. He was promoted to doctor of medicine with magna cum laude at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in 1989.^[1]

Seitz was Research-Fellow of Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles. He was senior physician at the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and became head of outpatient service. Since 1993, Seitz has been establishing and heading the cornea outpatient service and also the refractive surgery unit in Erlangen since 1996. He was heading the Cornea Bank Erlangen since 2000 and went main surgeon for corneal transplantation. In 1997, he became an elected member in the scientific advisory board of the German Transplantation Society (DTG) for the scope of cornea. Seitz habilitated himself in the field of ophthalmology (“Nonmechanical microsurgery of the cornea”) in Erlangen in 1999.

Seitz was a cofounder of the Cornea section in the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) in 2002 and has been acting as its speaker since then. In 2002, he was named associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Erlangen. He was promoted to full professor and director of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Saarland University Medical Center in 2006. Under Seitz a new professorship for experimental ophthalmology was established in Homburg, Saarland.^[1] In 2012, Seitz became a member of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. Seitz was president of the DOG in 2012.^[2] and was elected to head of the program commission of the DOG in 2015.^[3]

Scientific contribution

The field of Seitz’s scientific publications encompasses the themes:

Cornea transplantation (especially methods for minimisation of postoperative astigmatism)
Cataract surgery and artificial intraocular lens calculation after refractive cornea surgery
Accommodative and toric artificial lens in cataract surgery
Nonmechanical corneal surgery with lasers
Application of femtosecond laser at the eye
Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK)
Amniotic membrane transplantation

Memberships in international organisations

Cofounder and speaker of the Corneal Section in the DOG since 2002^[4]

Honors and awards

Seitz received many national and international awards, among them are:

Achievement Award of the American Academy of Ophthalmology „for contributions made to the Academy, its scientific and educational programs, and to ophthalmology“. Awarded at the 104th anniversary of the American Academy of Ophthalmology 22–25 October 2000, Dallas/Texas/USA
Distinguished Service Gold Medal 2010 for meritorious and exemplary services to ophthalmology. Awarded at the Joint Meetings of the XVIII Annual Conference of the Bombay the Ophthalmologists’ Association (BOA) and the VIII International Academy for Advances in Ophthalmology “Eye Advance 2010” Mumbai, India, 13–15 August 2010
DOC-Silver-Medal 2010 for extraordinary performances and special merits for the International Congress of the German Ophthalmic Surgeons. Awarded at the 23rd International Congress of the German Ophthalmic Surgeons. Hamburg, 21 October 2010
Election as a member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, August 2011^[5]
Ryan-Belfort-Medal of the American Brazilian Ophthalmological Association (ABOA) “to be awarded to outstanding leaders in Ophthalmology who have made major contributions to ophthalmic education and international cooperation”. Awarded at the XXXVII Congresso Brasileiro / XXX Pan-American Congress, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 7 August 2013
Amber Cornea in Gold „for outstanding dissemination of knowledge of corneal diseases and in recognition of scientific, medical and teaching achievements”. Awarded at the 7th International Symposiums „Advances in diagnosis and treatment of corneal diseases”, Wisla, Poland, 05-7 March 2015
Research prize of the DOC 2015. Awarded 13 June 2015 at the 28th International Congress of the German Ophthalmologic Surgeons, Leipzig, 11–13 June 2015
DOC-Silver Medal 2015 for extraordinary performances and special merits for the International Congress of the German Ophthalmic Surgeons. Awarded at the 28th International Congress of the German Ophthalmic Surgeons in Leipzig, 12 June 2015
Chibret Gold medal 2015 for extraordinary merits in the ophthalmology and in the cooperation between German and French ophthalmology. Awarded at the 113. Congress of the German Ophthalmological Society in Berlin 3 October 2015.
Stephan J. Ryan Doheny Society of Scholars 2016 to recognize the professional contributions of fellows, residents, faculty, and international scholars who trained at Doheny Eye Institute and have become major leaders in US and international ophthalmology. Awarded at the Doheny Society of Scholars Annual Meeting in conjunction with the Doheny Clinical Challenges Conference in Los Angeles, January 23, 2016.
Since February 2016: “Director of ICO-Fellowships”^[6]
Ernst-von-Bergmann-Plakette 2016 of the Bundesärztekammer for “Merits of medical education”. awarded by the president of the Medical Association of the Saarland September 12, 2016, Saarbrücken

Dr. Arun Sethi (India)

Eye Surgeon | Cataract and Refractive Surgeon

Dr. Arun Sethi is the Medical Director at Arunodaya Deseret Eye Hospital, where he has been serving with distinction for over 30 years in the fields of community ophthalmology and refractive surgery (LASIK).

Throughout his career, Dr. Sethi has performed thousands of successful surgeries and laser procedures, earning a reputation for excellence in ophthalmic care and surgical precision.

He is widely recognized for pioneering community ophthalmology initiatives in Gurgaon and Delhi NCR, contributing significantly to accessible and affordable eye care in India.

Dr. Sethi remains actively involved in research and medical education, authoring numerous publications and presenting at both national and international conferences.

He has served as faculty, instructor, and guest lecturer at leading global and regional meetings, including:

American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)
International Association for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)
Russian Ophthalmic Society
All India Ophthalmic Society (AIOC)
Delhi Ophthalmic Society (DOS)

In recognition of his outstanding service, Dr. Sethi has received multiple awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from his alma mater, St. Xavier’s School, Delhi.

He has held prominent leadership roles within several ophthalmic organizations, including the All India Ophthalmological Society and the Delhi Ophthalmologic Society, and serves as a Senior Ophthalmic Consultant to:

Fortis Memorial Hospital, Gurgaon
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi

Dr Reena Sethi (India)

Dr. Reena Sethi is a globally respected ophthalmic surgeon, academic leader, and humanitarian, with over three decades of experience in high-volume and complex cataract surgery. She has successfully performed more than 60,000 sight-restoration cataract surgeries by phacoemulsification, with particular expertise in complicated and high-risk cases, delivering consistently excellent outcomes in resource-constrained settings.

She currently serves as Ophthalmic Director at Arunodaya Deseret Eye Hospital (ADEH), a world-class, community-based tertiary eye care institute in North India, committed to eliminating avoidable blindness through affordable, high-quality care.

Dr. Sethi is a recipient of the Eye Health Hero Award (2017) from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), UK, and the International Ophthalmic Hero Award from the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), in recognition of her outstanding clinical excellence and humanitarian contributions.

She has over 200+ scientific presentations, and chapters in many Ophthalmic texts, in India & abroad.

An active academician, she serves as an International Faculty Instructor for Wet Lab training at ASCRS (USA) and has delivered scientific presentations and invited lectures at leading international ophthalmic forums, including AAO, ESCRS, SOE, WCO, DOS, and IIRSI. Her academic interests focus on complex cataract surgery, surgical outcomes, and capacity building through hands-on training.

A committed humanitarian, Dr. Sethi is the Co-Founder of Arunodaya Charitable Trust (ACT), a non-profit organization working in the field of curable blindness since 1990. Under her leadership, ACT and ADEH have served millions from economically weaker sections through sustainable, community-based eye care programs. Over 1.6 million needy patients have received quality eye care services, since 1990

Her international volunteer work includes a major surgical mission to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (2013), where she performed over 200 cataract surgeries with Team Arunodaya at Crookes Hospital, under the invitation of the KwaZulu-Natal Eye Coalition, Durban.

http://www.adeh.in

http://www.actforvision.com

Prof. Dr. Marie-José Tassignon (Belgium)

Prof. Dr. Marie-José Tassignon is internationally recognized for her major contributions to cataract and refractive surgery and for her longstanding role as a respected academic leader in ophthalmology.

She is currently Professor Emeritus and formerly served as Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Antwerp University Hospital and the University of Antwerp.

Her expertise spans cataract and vitreoretinal surgery, and she is the inventor of the “bag-in-the-lens” (BIL) implantation technique, a breakthrough innovation now used worldwide. She also holds multiple patents related to surgical advancements and ophthalmic device design.

Prof. Tassignon received both her MD and PhD, and was appointed Full Professor at the University of Antwerp in 2003.

She has held numerous prestigious leadership positions, including:

President of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), 2004–2007
President of the European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO), 2007–2008
President of the Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis, 2018–2022
Medical Director of Antwerp University Hospital

Prof. Tassignon is a member of the Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium and participates in over 18 international ophthalmology societies. She has served as guest professor at several leading institutions, including Harvard’s Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Biography source: public internet information.

Woolfson, Dr Jonathan MD (USA)

Dr. Woolfson has performed over 100,000 LASIK procedures, making him one of the most experienced LASIK surgeons in North America. A further testament to his expertise: more than 300 eye doctors have chosen him to perform their own LASIK. This distinction, along with his worldwide reputation, is why, when professional athletes, celebrities, business leaders, and people just like you decide to have LASIK, they choose Dr. Woolfson.

Training

Dr. Woolfson received his medical degree from Vanderbilt University and completed his ophthalmology residency and internship at Emory University. In 1994 and 1995 (prior to FDA approval of laser vision correction), he fellowship-trained abroad with Michael Kritzinger, MD, an internationally acclaimed excimer laser pioneer. Upon FDA approval of the procedure, Dr. Woolfson returned to the United States and began his career as a LASIK surgeon.

FDA Clinical Studies

Several laser companies, including VISX™ and Lasersight Technologies, have selected Dr. Woolfson to be a clinical investigator for their equipment. In addition, he has served as a national proctor, providing training and certification to more than 100 LASIK surgeons in North America. In fact, VISX has honored him as the recipient of the prestigious VISX Star award for three consecutive years.

Accomplishments and Memberships

Dr. Woolfson is a board-certified ophthalmic surgeon with memberships in the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the International Society of Refractive Surgery, and the American Medical Association.

He has presented at both national and international optometry and ophthalmology meetings, having been asked to speak about his extensive LASIK experience. In fact, a large part of his practice involves treating complex cases and patients who have previously had LASIK at other facilities.

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Eric ABDULLAYEV

(USA)

Hussein ALMUHTASEB

(Qatar)

Susanne BINDER

(Austria)

Clayton BLEHM

(USA)

Lucio BURATTO

(Italy)

Uday DEVGAN

(USA)

Burkhard DICK

(Germany)

Sean EDELSTEIN

(USA)

David GUNN

(Australia)

Brian HARRISBERG

(Australia)

James HAYS

(USA)

Peter HOFFMANN

(Germany)

Mike HOLZER

(Germany)

Michael KNORZ

(Germany)

Ben LAHOOD

(Australia)

Joaquín FERNÁNDEZ PÉREZ

(Spain)

Vladimir PFEIFER

(Slovenia)

Roberto PINEDA II

(USA)

Dan Z REINSTEIN

(UK)

Berthold SEITZ

(Germany)

Arun SETHI

(India)

Reena SETHI

(India)

Marie-José TASSIGNON

(Belgium)

Jonathan WOOLFSON

(USA)

International Faculty

Eric Abdullayev, USA

Hussein Almuhtaseb, Qatar

Susanne Binder, Austria

Clayton Blehm, USA

Lucio Buratto, Italy

Uday Devgan MD, USA

Burkhard Dick, Germany

Sean Edelstein, USA

Joaquín Fernández Pérez, Spain

David Gunn, Australia

Brian Harrisberg, Australia

James Hays MD, USA

Peter Hoffmann, Germany

Mike Holzer, Germany

Michael Knorz, Germany

Ben LaHood, Australia

Vladimir Pfeifer, Slovenia

Roberto Pineda II, USA

Dan Z Reinstein, UK

Berthold Seitz, Germany

Arun Sethi, India

Reena Sethi, India

Marie-José Tassignon, Belgium

Jonathan Woolfson MD, USA

Lions World Vision Institute (LWVI) team from USA – Wetlabs

Dr. Eric Abdullayev (USA)

Mr Hussein Almuhtaseb (Qatar)

Qualifications

Professional Registration

Previous Appointments

Research Experience

Research Training & Affiliations

Publications

Dr. Susanne Binder (Austria)

Dr. Clayton Blehm (USA)

Buratto, Dr Lucio (Italy)

Dr Uday Devgan MD (USA)

Prof Dr med Burkhard Dick (Germany)

Dr Sean Edelstein MD (USA)

Dr David Gunn MD (Australia)

Dr. Brian Harrisberg (Australia)

Fellowships

Career Highlights

Consulting Locations

Other Interests

Dr James Hays MD (USA)

Dr med Peter Hoffmann

(Germany)

Prof Dr med Mike P Holzer (Germany)

Prof Dr med Mike P Holzer MD FEBO

Medical Education

Postgraduate Training

Academic Appointments

Private Practice

Research Interests

Languages

Prof Dr med Michael C Knorz (Germany)

Dr Ben LaHood MD (Australia)

Prof Joaquín Fernández Pérez (Spain)

MD Vladimir Pfeifer FEBOS-CR

(Slovenia)

Dr Roberto Pineda, MD

Prof Dan Z REINSTEIN (UK)

Prof Dr. Berthold Seitz (Germany)

Dr. Arun Sethi (India)

Dr Reena Sethi (India)

Prof. Dr. Marie-José Tassignon (Belgium)

Woolfson, Dr Jonathan MD (USA)

Registration

ONLINE registration forms:

PDF forms:

Eric ABDULLAYEV

Hussein ALMUHTASEB

Susanne BINDER

Clayton BLEHM

Lucio BURATTO

Uday DEVGAN

Burkhard DICK

Sean EDELSTEIN

David GUNN

Brian HARRISBERG

James HAYS

Peter HOFFMANN

Mike HOLZER

Michael KNORZ

Ben LAHOOD

Joaquín FERNÁNDEZ PÉREZ

Vladimir PFEIFER

Roberto PINEDA II

Dan Z REINSTEIN

Berthold SEITZ

Arun SETHI

Reena SETHI

Marie-José TASSIGNON

Jonathan WOOLFSON

International Faculty

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