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Dr Costas Karabatsas MD, DMed(Bristol), MRCOphth, FEBO, FRCS(Ed), FWCRS is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of West Attica (UNIWA), Athens, Greece. He is also a practicing Corneal and Refractive Surgeon. He completed his basic, advanced and sub-specialist Clinical Fellowship training on Cornea and External Diseases in the UK, at Bristol Eye Hospital, where he has also served as a Clinical Lecturer with the University of Bristol. He was awarded in 1997, a 'Doctor of Medicine' higher Degree from the University of Bristol, for his thesis on 'management of post-keratoplasty astigmatism with the use of computerized topography'. He subsequently completed a refractive surgery-LASIK Fellowship with the University of Crete, Greece. He has served (1999-2007) as Ass. Professor at the Department of Ophthalmology, Larissa University Hospital, Greece, and Head of the Anterior Segment Surgery, Cornea Transplant and Glaucoma Unit. His work profile is divided between clinical work and research. His clinical work is mainly in all forms of corneal transplantation, anterior segment reconstruction, keratoconus and refractive surgery. His research interests are clinically oriented into corneal and glaucoma surgery, Keratoconus and topo-guided refrective surgery. He is also committed to clinical teaching to other surgeons in Greece and internationally. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed scientific papers, chapters and books and has delivered more than 400 lectures, in national and international meetings. He is a Member of the RCOphth in London, AAO, ASCRS, ESCRS, EGS, Fellow of the Royla College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and also an active member of the Executive Board of the Greek College of Ophthalmology, the Hellenic Eye Bank Demokritus, as well as the General Secretary of the Hellenic Cornea Society. He has served as a board member of the Greek Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons since 2004. He serves on the editorial board and acts as reviewer on several international ophthalmic journals.

Vanessa Cristina Pongo V. MD-MSc

Vanessa Cristina Pongo V, recognized expert in Refractive Surgery, Cornea and Cataract from Peru, is CEO of Pongo Laser Vision in Piura, Peru. She is involved in the resident teaching at the Hospital Cayetano Heredia and University of Piura.

She has excelled in three main aspects during her career – clinical and surgical, research, and education.

Dr Pongo serves as reviewer for the Journal of Refractive Surgery JRS and European Journal of Ophthalmology EJO. She is proudly recognized by International Society of Refractive Surgery as ISRS International Council representative for Peru.

Dr Pongo is member of Global ONE Advisory Board of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and is part of The International American Academy Volunteers. She has received The International Ophthalmologist Education Award in 2019, The Secretariat Award in 2020 and The International Scholar Award in 2022 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology AAO , for the pursuit of lifelong education in Ophthalmology, special and distinct contributions to the Academy and to the profession of ophthalmology and for commitment to lifelong learning in ophthalmology.

She has honored of being certified as a Board Certified Fellow in The World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences WCRS and be a Co-Founder of The International Keratoconus Society IKS

Dr Pongo has been invited as speaker in different countries. She has authored and co-authored book chapters and articles and is an active member of multiple national and international professional societies.

Dr Pongo has been an active worker at the FON Foundation for the prevention of blindness, a non-governmental organization. Dr Pongo is active in different philanthropic societies and national charitable organizations.

Dr Pongo got her medical degree with honors from The National University of Piura,Peru. She completed her ophthalmology residency at The Industrial University of Santander ´s FOS-CAL, Bucaramanga Colombia.She finished her trained with a fellowship in Cornea and Refractive surgery at The Miguel Hernandez University of Elche- Vissum - Eye Institute of Alicante -Spain, a fellowship of Cataract Surgery at Iladevi Cataract & IOL Research Centre Raghudeep Eye Clinic, Ahmedabad -India , an International training in Eye Bank from Pan – American Association of Eye Banks and Master Degree for Medical Research by San Martin University.

Dr. Marco Zagari MD is a distinguished ophthalmologist and the Head and Co-Founder of Clinica Oculistica Vampolieri and the European Centre of Ophthalmology in Italy. He earned his Degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Catania in 2009, followed by a Specialty Diploma in Ophthalmology from the University of Palermo in 2015, achieving the highest score. Dr. Zagari further honed his skills with a master's degree in glaucoma surgery at Udine Hospital during this period.
In 2015, he became a Professor of Ocular Anatomy at Optometry School Don Bosco (CT) and attended a phacoemulsification and glaucoma course at Agarwal Eye Hospital – Chennai. Since 2015, Dr. Zagari has been an integral part of the European Centre of Ophthalmology, specializing in cataract, cornea, and glaucoma surgery. Notably, he served as the Head/Director of Ophthalmology during the humanitarian mission "Progetto Vision 2016" in Nicaragua, where he performed pole-to-pole surgery in August 2016.
His surgical expertise extends to performing cornea and anterior segment surgeries at renowned institutions such as "Casa di cura Valsalva," Policlinico Morgagni, and Clinica Oculistica Vampolieri. From 2018 to 2021, he held the position of Head/Director of the Ophthalmology Surgery Department at "Casa di cura San Camillo." Dr. Zagari obtained certification as a glaucoma surgeon for MIGS implants in March 2019, showcasing his commitment to advancing ophthalmic care.
Currently serving as the Medical Director of Vampolieri Eye Clinic, Dr. Zagari has a prolific academic record, with over 20 published scientific papers since 2010. He is a sought-after figure in the field, having participated as a speaker, instructor, and moderator in over 100 conferences, contributing significantly to the advancement of ophthalmology. Dr. Marco Zagari MD stands as a prominent figure in the international ophthalmic community, combining clinical excellence, humanitarian service, and a dedication to education and research.

Faculty

Abdelrahman Salman

Adel Barbara

Ahmed Alsaadi

Ahmed Elmassry

Ahmed Mohamed Sherif

Aliyeva Sidiga

Anisha R

Asim Ali

Berthold Seitz

Carlos Gordillo

Christopher Liu

Cosimo Mazzotta

Cristina Peris

Cynthia Roberts

Deepthi R H

Durgalaxmi Modak

Efekan Coskunseven

Giovanni Alessio

Giuseppe Addabbo

Giuseppe D'Ippolito

Grigory Osipyan

Haikel Kammoun

Haitham Al Mahrouqi

Hams Samy

Hidenaga Kobashi

Hossam Ziada

Khusam Khraistin

Leon Grupenmacher

Loïc Hamon

Malena Parmeggiani

Marco Abbondanza

Marco Zagari

Marta Calatayud

Marwan Ghabra

Mayank Nanavaty

Mazen Sinjab

Merab Dvali

Merieme Harouch

Michael Belin

Miguel Rechichi

Miltiadis Balidis

Moataz Mohammad Wessam

Mohamed Hosny

Mohamed Shafik

Mohamed Tarek Elnaggar

Mohamed-Sameh El-Agha

Murad Alobthani

Nada Alyusuf

Nancy Al Raqqad

Olivier Prisant

Osama Ibrahim

Ouzzani Mhamed

Panaah Shetty

Pooja Khamar

Rashid Alsaidi

Roberto Albertazzi

Rohit Shetty

Safwan Al Bayati

Salah Eddine Benmoussa

Shady Awwad

Shihao Chen

Srihari Balraj

Vanessa C Pongo V

Vanessa R. Moodley

Vardhaman Kankariya

Vibha Singh

Waleed Abou Samra

Wan Haslina Halim

Wassim Altroudi

Wisam Shihadeh

Yasser Rifay

Abstract Speakers

Abdulrahman Alharbi

Bouchra Allali

Costas Karabatsas

Davide Borroni

Enas Mourad

Ghaleb Seif