Speakers

Welcome to ACADEMIA, The Global Eye Forum

An In-Person Landmark Event by Sinjab Academy

Uniting Ophthalmologists, Ophthalmic Professionals, Innovators & Industry Leaders

Supported by the Emirates Society of Ophthalmology, ACADEMIA is the premier international platform dedicated to advancing ophthalmic education and surgical excellence.

As the in-person event of Sinjab Academy (sinjabacademy.org), ACADEMIA offers an immersive learning experience through:

  • Subspecialty Days
  • One-on-One Hands-On Wet Labs
  • Interactive Workshops
  • Cutting-Edge Industry Exhibitions & Networking
  • Gain first-hand exposure to groundbreaking techniques.
  • Train directly with world-class experts.
  • Engage with the latest advancements in eye care.

Prof. Mazen Sinjab

President of ACADEMIA

MD, MSc, ABO, PhD, FRCO, CertLRS

Subspecialty Days (24 CME Hours)

ACADEMIA focuses on subspecialties. This year we have the following subspecialty days led by international experts:

  • Refractive Surgery Subspecialty Day
  • Dry Eye & Ocular Surface Subspecialty Day
Workshops (27.45 CME Hours)

ACADEMIA emphasizes specialized training with a diverse lineup of expert-led workshops, including:

  • Contact Lens Fitting Workshop – Special focus on irregular corneas
  • Orthoptic Workshop –Addressing post-vision correction & post-cataract challenges
  • Low Vision Aids Workshop – Enhancing visual support for patients with low vision

Unparalleled Hands-On Wet Labs
Train One-on-One with International Experts

ACADEMIA’s wet labs are unlike any other – We offer a unique one-on-one mentorship model, ensuring that each participant receives personalized guidance from globally renowned instructors. Our labs provide extensive hands-on experience with real human corneas and artificial eyes, allowing participants to master surgical techniques with confidence.
Cataract Surgery Wet Lab (2.5 CME hours per slot)
  • Each slot is 75 minutes.
  • Didactic lectures will be available on Sinjab Academy Library to watch in advance.
  • Practice on high-fidelity artificial eyes under expert supervision.
  • Master the full spectrum of cataract surgery techniques, including:
    ✅ Incision techniques
    ✅ Continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC)
    ✅ Phacoemulsification – various techniques
    ✅ Intraocular lens (IOL) implantation
DMEK Wet Lab (8 CME hours per slot)
      • Each slot is 4 hours.
      • A live interactive online course will be conducted a few days before ACADEMIA.
      • Train on real TWO human corneas to master:
        ✅ DMEK graft peeling and preparation
        ✅ Various marking techniques
        ✅ Loading of the DMEK scroll into an injector
        ✅ DMEK scroll injection & unfolding inside an artificial anterior chamber
      Each participant works on two human corneas under expert supervision.
DSAEK Wet Lab (2.5 CME hours per slot)
      • Each slot is 75 minutes.
      • Didactic lectures will be available on Sinjab Academy Library to watch in advance.
      • Work on human corneas to refine:
        ✅ DSAEK graft preparation using automated Moria Microkeratome
        ✅ Descemetorhexis techniques
        ✅ Loading, delivery, and unfolding of the DSAEK button (Tan/Busin endoglide method)
SBK Moria Wet Lab (Merged with DSAEK)

Hands-on training in flap creation using the SBK head of the Moria Microkeratome on human corneas.

VitreoRetinal Wet Lab (8 CME hours per slot)
  • Each slot is 4 hours.
  • Didactic lectures during the wet lab.
  • Train with high-precision artificial eyes to develop advanced retinal surgical skills, including:

✅ Microscope & 3D observation systems setup
✅ Lensectomy techniques
✅ Primary retinal detachment repair
✅ Trauma surgery: foreign body removal & handshake bimanual technique
✅ Iris reconstruction
✅ Vitrectomy for simple hemorrhages
✅ Macular pucker & ILM peeling
✅ Use of gas injection, heavy liquid techniques, and silicone oil removal
✅ Triamcinolone-assisted vitreous removal
✅ Buckle surgery with chandelier light guidance
✅ Bimanual vitrectomy & scleral depressor-assisted procedures
✅ Dropped nucleus & lens particle removal
✅ Dual foot pedal techniques for enhanced surgical control

Each candidate receives personalized coaching from top retinal surgeons.