Newsletter WAEH | January ‘2026
As we start 2026, I would like to wish all members and friends of WAEH a very happy, healthy, and inspiring new year. It’s a moment to look ahead with energy and ambition — and there is a lot to be proud of and excited about within our global eye care community.
I would like to sincerely thank the WAEH Board for their continued support, trust, and dedication to our association. Your commitment makes a real difference. I also warmly welcome prof. Nelson as our new chair and all new members who have recently joined WAEH — we are delighted to have you as part of our growing network.
With six active Communities of Practice, regular global knowledge exchange, and exciting milestones ahead – including our 20th Annual Meeting in Brazil and Chile – 2026 promises to be a year of collaboration, innovation, and impact.
Wishing you all a wonderful year ahead!
Warm regards,
Maaike van Zuilen
Want to learn more about fundraising? Please join our Community of Practice focusing on Fundraising!
🗓️ January 22, 2026
🕐 01:00 PM CET
This Community of Practice (CoP) will officially launch on 22 January, from 13:00–14:00 CET. We will bring together fundraising professionals from eye hospitals worldwide to exchange experiences, share best practices, and explore strategies to strengthen sustainable fundraising in eye care.
The CoP is led by Juliette Fahlenbrach, Fundraising professional at Fondation Asile des aveugles – the Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin. She is also Co-Lead of the Community of Practice on foundation giving for Swiss fundraising, the national organization of Swiss fundraisers. With her strong background in foundation fundraising and community building, Juliette will guide this CoP as a collaborative and practical learning space. Are you interested in joining this Community of Practice? 👇🏻
Please note that this session is only open to staff working at WAEH member eye hospitals. Not a member yet? Join the global WAEH community via our website.
On December 4, 2025, HR professionals from eye hospitals around the world gathered online for a Community of Practice session to exchange experiences and practical approaches to key human resources challenges in eye care.
The session included two presentations: “Retention after the Pandemic: Changes and Our Approach at Hoftalon” by Guilherme Paz from Hoftalon Eye Hospital in Brazil, and “Caring Minds, Stronger Teams – Building a Culture of Care” by Jasmine Liu from Aier Eye Hospital Group in China.
Guilherme Paz
Hoftalon Eye Hospital, Brazil
Jasmine Liu
Aier Eye Hospital Group, China
Interested in the full discussion and key takeaways from the group? Watch the session recording on the Knowledge Hub.
If you’ve forgotten your password for the Knowledge Hub, you can email Maaike: ?subject=Login%20KnowledgeHub&body=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">
About the Community of Practice – Human Resources
This group meets to discuss topics such as Handholding – From Volunteer to Career, Employment model(s) in ophthalmology, Task differentiation and Burn out prevention. The group will share best practices and learn from each other. This group is led by Jos Hubers from The Rotterdam Eye Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and Angela Smith from the Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Jos Hubers
The Rotterdam Eye Hospital,
The Netherlands
Angela Smith
Moorfields Eye Hospital,
United Kingdom
On December 11, 2025, nurses and allied health personnel from eye hospitals around the world joined an online Community of Practice session to exchange experiences and share best practices in ophthalmic nursing and allied health care.
The session featured two insightful presentations: “From Units to Leadership: How Nursing Works at the 15–20 National Hospital”, delivered by Nicolas Miklaszewski, Director of Nursing and Allied Health Services at Hôpital National des 15–20 in Paris, France; and “Caregiver Burden in Patients Receiving Anti-VEGF Injections: Implications for Ophthalmic Nursing Practice”, presented by Lin Tingting, Nurse at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center in Guangzhou, China.
Nicolas Miklaszewski
Hôpital National des 15–20, France
Lin Tingting
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, China
Interested in the full discussion and key takeaways from the group? Watch the session recording on the Knowledge Hub.
If you’ve forgotten your password for the Knowledge Hub, you can email Maaike: ?subject=Login%20KnowledgeHub&body=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">
About the Community of Practice – Nurses & Allied Health Personnel
The Community of Practice – Nurses and Allied Health personnel is for all nurses and allied health personnel working in eye hospitals worldwide. This group is led by Tendai Gwenhure from Moorfields, London, United Kingdom, and Diana Malata from Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Tendai Gwenhure
Moorfields, London, United Kingdom
Diana Malata
Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Start New Communities of Practice
One of the outcomes of the 19th Annual Meeting of the WAEH is that four new Communities of Practice will start in the upcoming year.
Community of Practice – FAIR images in clinics
Led by: dr. Ciara Bergin from Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin Fondation
Asile des aveugles, Switzerland
Community of Practice – Innovation & Research
Led by: Nathalie Popken from The Rotterdam Eye Hospital, The Netherlands
and Deepak Edward from King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Saudi Arabia
Community of Practice – Finances
Led by: Mee Chee (Macy) Thong from Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore
Community of Practice – Fundraising
Led by: Juliette Fahlenbrach from Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin, Switzerland
The Recap: 19th Annual WAEH Meeting
The 19th Annual WAEH Meeting took place from 7–11 October 2025 in Lausanne and Paris. Eye-healthcare professionals from around the world gathered to share knowledge, gain new insights, and strengthen global collaboration in eye care. Check out the recap on our website.
All presentations and photos from the meeting are available on the WAEH Knowledge Hub, where you can view and download them. If you’ve forgotten your password, you can email Maaike: /" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">
A big round of applause to Vincent, Jean-Pierre, Muriel and their volunteers from the Hôpital ophtalmique Jules-Gonin Fondation Asile des aveugles in Lausanne, to Nicolas, Céline, Doriane, Nils and their volunteers from the Hôpital National des 15-20, and to Fabrice, Julienne, Manon and their volunteers of the Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild in Paris!
You have truly gone above and beyond to make this meeting an exceptional experience – offering us a deep and inspiring look into your eyehospital, your way of working, and your shared commitment to innovation in eye care.
We’re going to Brazil!
| 20th Annual WAEH Meeting
After an inspiring and successful 19th Annual WAEH Meeting in Lausanne and Paris, we’re already looking forward to next year’s milestone event: the 20th Annual WAEH Meeting!
In November 2026, we’ll be gathering once again with colleagues and friends from around the world for a week full of learning, sharing knowledge, and connecting with each other.
📍 Locations: Instituto Suel Abujamra, São Paulo (Brazil) – with facultative visits to Hoftalon Eye Hospital, Londrina (Brazil) and Clinica Oftalmologica Pasteur, Santiago (Chile)
🗓️ Dates: 9-13 November 2026
The 2026 meeting will feature an exciting mix of eye hospital visits, member sessions, presentations, and networking opportunities, designed to spark collaboration and inspire new ideas in the world of ophthalmology and eye hospital management.
All WAEH members are warmly invited, and other eye hospitals from around the world are more than welcome to join and experience the global WAEH network!
This will be a special opportunity to explore eye care innovations across South America, meet passionate professionals, and strengthen our shared mission: to connect, share, and learn from each other to improve eye health globally.
Feel the sunny vibes of Brazil already, watch the video and get inspired! https://youtu.be/mQu2Nb8CL18
Want to know more? Check the event website and register yourself!
Questions? Contact Maaike van Zuilen:
Image from Moorfields Eye Hospital
Pioneering eye device restores reading vision to blind eyes
News from full member Moorfields Eye Hospital
A pivotal European clinical trial of a new electronic eye implant has seen remarkable results. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed 84% of participants were able to read letters, numbers and words using prosthetic vision through an eye that had previously lost its sight due to the untreatable progressive eye condition, geographic atrophy with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). They could also read, on average, five lines of a vision chart; some participants could not even see the chart before their surgery.
Celebrating the PhD Defence of Ganesh Babu Balu Subburaman
News from associate member Aravind Eye Care System
Join us in looking back at the PhD defence of Ganesh Babu Balu Subburaman from Aravind Eye Care System!
In his PhD at Maastricht University, he presented his research on advancing eye-care systems and ensuring accessible, high-quality treatment for all. His work reflects the mission of the World Association of Eye Hospitals (WAEH) and offers an inspiring example of innovation in global ophthalmology.
Watch the PhD Defence here.
How to apply eye drops
News from full member The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital has developed a video with practical tips how to apply eyedrops te best. The video has also been translated into 6 other languages!
Want to use these video’s for your own patients? Please feel free to do so! Want these video’s in your own language? Contact Joanne Brodie
Treating the Untreatable
News from associate member LV Prasad Eye Institute
As a kid, Anush sensed that something was wrong with his vision. He found difficulty navigating dimly lit areas. Dark spots appeared in his central vision and gradually spread, eventually affecting even his peripheral vision. Anush was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a progressive genetic disease that often leads to severe vision loss and blindness, many a time before the person turns 30.
While RP affects 1 in every 3000-7000 births globally, in rural South India the prevalence is 1 in 1000, making it a major cause of blindness in the region.
2026
January
─
Tuesday, 14 January
Workshops by Moorfields Education: Gonioscopy course
Friday, 16 January
Workshops by Moorfields Education: Nd:YAG laser for posterior capsulotomy training for nurses and ophthalmic health care professionals
Monday, 19 January
Workshops by Moorfields Education: Endonasal Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) Hands-on Simulation Course
Thursday, 22 January | 13.00 PM CET
WAEH Community of Practice – Fundraising
Wednesday, 28 January
Workshops by Moorfields Education: Laser course for ophthalmic healthcare professionals
Saturday, 31 January
WAEH Project Proposals 2026 – Deadline
February
─
Wednesday, 4 February
Workshops by Moorfields Education: Basic slit lamp and Goldmann tonometry study day
11-24 February
Management Training for Eye Care Programme Managers by Aravind Eye Care System
Thursday, 26 February | 13.00 PM CET
WAEH Community of Practice – FAIR Images in Ophthalmology
March
─
2&3 March
Workshops by Moorfields Education: Fundoscopy training programme
Friday, 6 March
Workshops by Moorfields Education: Hot topics in comprehensive ophthalmology
Thursday, 12 March | 13.00 PM CET
WAEH Board Meeting
Want to share ideas with the board? Please share:
Monday, 16 March
Workshops by Moorfields Education: Pregnancy considerations in women with eye disease: a day of obstetrics for ophthalmologists
Thursday, 26 March | 13.00 PM CET
WAEH Community of Practice – Human Resources
April
─
Thursday, 30 April | 13.00 PM CEST
WAEH Community of Practice – Nurses and Allied Health Personnel
May
─
Thursday, 28 May | 13.00 PM CEST
WAEH Community of Practice – Innovation
June
─
Thursday, 11 June | 13.00 PM CEST
WAEH Board Meeting
Want to share ideas with the board? Please share:
Thursday, 25 June | 13.00 PM CEST
WAEH Community of Practice – Finances
July
─
Thursday, 2 July | 13.00 PM CEST
WAEH Community of Practice – Fundraising
August
─
Thursday, 20 August | 13.00 PM CEST
WAEH Community of Practice – FAIR images in Ophthalmology
September
─
Thursday, 24 September | 13.00 PM CEST
WAEH Community of Practice – Human Resources
October
─
Thursday, 8 October | 13.00 PM CEST
WAEH Board Meeting
Want to share ideas with the board? Please share:
Thursday, 15 October | 13.00 PM CEST
WAEH Community of Practice – Nurses and Allied Health Personnel
November
─
9-13 November
20th Annual WAEH Meeting in Brazil
Please check out the event website and register yourself.
All CoP’s have their meeting during the Annual Meeting.
Tuesday, 10 November
WAEH Board Meeting – in person meeting in Brazil
Want to share ideas with the board? Please share:
December
─
Thursday, 3 December | 13.00 PM CET
WAEH Board Meeting
Want to share ideas with the board? Please share:
Thursday, 17 December | 13.00 PM CET
WAEH Community of Practice – Innovation
Questions? Share news?
Do you have a special request? Would you like to organize a webinar or share news? Would you like to be (digitally) connected to a certain person in one of our member eye hospitals? Please feel very welcome to share your questions via the new Community Tool or contact Maaike van Zuilen: