Damascus, July 3 (SANA)The “Ophthalmology Horizons” conference, organized by the Arab European Ophthalmology Society (AEOS) under the patronage of theMinistry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, opened Friday in Damascus with the participation of doctors, academics and experts from Syria and several Arab and European countries, the ministry said.

The two-day conference features a series of scientific sessions and specialized lectures discussing the latest developments and trends in ophthalmology and eye surgery, keeping pace with advancements and benefiting from medical practices adopted in Europe, supporting knowledge transfer and contributing to improved quality of medical services and enhancedacademic cooperationbetween health institutions, according to a statement.

Higher Education Minister: Platform for renewing medical knowledge

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Marwan al-Halabi told SANA that the conference serves as a platform for renewing medical knowledge, supporting applied scientific research, and building partnerships between academic and medical institutions in Syria and the Arab and European spheres.

The minister said the conference focuses on capacity building and developing clinical, practical and theoretical expertise for ophthalmologists and postgraduate students, describing it as a step in the right direction to strengthenscientific researchand link it to practical and clinical applications.

Al-Halabi said the ministry is working to transform the conference’s outcomes into practical recommendations that align with Syria’s health reality through evidence-based medicine, adapting recommendations to available hospital resources, and developing a roadmap for scientific cooperation with international organizations and specialized ophthalmology centers worldwide.

“We want our universities and teaching hospitals to remain centers of expertise, incubators of research, and schools for preparing physicians who combine skill and compassion, knowledge and responsibility,” al-Halabi said.

AEOS: Bringing together Syrian expatriate expertise

AEOS Board Chairman Ahmad Rahhal said the conference aims to bring together Syrian expatriate expertise in a single scientific event, enabling the transfer of their professional expertise to doctors working in Syria, alongside the participation of doctors from Palestine, Jordan and Egypt.

AEOS Projects Director Bayan Louis said the society works to enhance healthcare services through specialized programs, activities and workshops.

Over the past two days, the society conducted practical applications on surgical operations for resident doctors in Damascus University hospitals under the supervision of Syrian medical experts residing abroad, aimed at transferring expertise, developing surgical skills and improving healthcare quality, Louis said.

The conference showcases the latest academic and clinical developments in ophthalmology, Louis added, with Syrian and Arab doctors from diaspora participating, alongside scientific courses and practical training on surgical equipment to transfer modern techniques and develop medical competencies.

Medical residents: A valuable scientific opportunity

Medical resident at Harasta National Hospital Tareq al-Khouri said the conference provides an important scientific opportunity for doctors, particularly those working in hospitals lacking certain specialized surgical expertise and procedures, adding that participation contributes to raising scientific standards and developing professional skills.Al-Khouri noted that the participation of doctors and experts from Europe allows access to the latest surgical techniques, studies and scientific research, contributing to the transfer of expertise to Syria and opening the door for local scientific research and the development of medical practice in line with global developments in ophthalmology.

TheArab European Ophthalmology Society(AEOS) was established in 2024 to strengthen networking between ophthalmologists in Europe and Arab countries, develop scientific competencies, support relief projects and health infrastructure, and enhance cooperation and expertise exchange to advance medical education and scientific research.