OphthalmologyAbout Us
The ophthalmology department at AUBMC provides comprehensive eye care for patients with the expertise of its medical team. Backed with its medical team and more than 50 years of experience, the ophthalmology department serves around 20,000 patients every year with various eye conditions.
The medical team at AUBMC is comprised of ophthalmologists, optometrists, imaging specialists, and specialized nurses.
HistoryInitially, the Department of Ophthalmology and the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery were only one single department; then, some 60 years ago in 1960, the two parted. The Department of Ophthalmology capitalized fully on its independence and quickly became the innovator of many advances in the field not only in Lebanon but also in the region.
Since then, many major landmarks have occurred: below is a description of a few:
- In the early 60s, and for the first time in the Middle East, retinal detachment surgery (sclera buckling) took place at AUBMC.
- In the early 70s, the use of laser to treat the retina of diabetic patients (1st krypton then argon and diode) was introduced.
- In the mid-70s, glaucoma filtering surgery (trabeculectomy) was introduced and was the first in Lebanon and the region.
- In the early 80s, the use of laser to treat glaucoma was initiated.
- In 1986, AUBMC applied a modern way to perform cataract surgery and implant intraocular lenses.
- In 1991, the move towards implanting glaucoma drainage tubes inside the eye started.
- In 1992, the first professional "Eye Bank " was set up in the country: the only local member of the International Federation of Eye Banks.
- In 1994, all types of lasers were acquired for the treatment of age related retinal degeneration.
- In 1995, of the ocular electrophysiology laboratory for performing ERG, EOG, and VEP tests for children and adults who are poorly sighted were established.
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In 2002, the first professional and scientific "Laser Vision Correction Center" in the country was inaugurated.
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In 2002, the first "Low Vision Clinic" was established.
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In 2004, First 25 Gauge Vitrectomy in the region.
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In 2005, First intravitreal injection of medication in the Middle East.
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In March 2010, the first DSAEK in Lebanon was performed.
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In 2010, the first endocyclophotocoagulation was used in Lebanon for management of glaucoma.
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In 2011, the first EVO ICL phakic intraocular lens was implanted in the Middle East.
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In November 2011, the first small aperture corneal inlays were placed in the Middle East.
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In 2012, the first Retinoblastoma Program in Lebanon and the region was established in collaboration with the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon and St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN: accepting retinoblastoma patients of all nationalities, offering work-up, imaging (RetCam), treatment (only center in Lebanon providing thermotherapy), surgery, surveillance and genetic testing/ counseling.
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In 2014, Ziv-aflibercept was pioneered at AUBMC with more than 20 papers published on the subject. It is currently used worldwide to treat diabetic retinopathy or age related macular degeneration with significant decrease in cost.
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In January 2016, the first DMEK (Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty) was performed in the Middle East.
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In June 2017, the first intraoperative OCT technology was introduced in the Middle East.
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In June 2017, the first low energy laser Cataract surgery was performed in Lebanon and the region.
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In January 2017, the first sutureless scleral fixation of intraocular lens was performed in Lebanon and the region (first by glue technique and later by the haptics flanged technique).
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In April 2017, the first Customized laser and LASIK using ultra high definition ocular higher order aberration technology in Middle East was introduced.
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In 2018, the first Humanoptics artificial human iris was implanted in Lebanon.
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In 2018, the first Femtosecond assisted and OCT guided Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty was performed in the Middle East October.
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In April 2019, the first non-penetrating sutureless artificial cornea was implanted in the Middle East.
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In 2019, the first Thyroid eye disease clinic was established: Multi-disciplinary clinic that deals with all aspects of management of thyroid orbitopathy and rehabilitation surgeries including advanced orbital decompression, Strabismus surgery and eyelid surgery.
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In 2019, the first Corneal Allogenic Intrastromal ring segments (CAIRS) were inserted for Keratoconus in the Middle East and 3rd Center in the World.
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In 2019, Advanced management of vascular malformations: First direct embolization and excision of orbital vascular malformation.
Mission
The mission of the Department of Ophthalmology is to provide outstanding service to patients and their families, excellent training and education to medical students and residents as well as cutting-edge eye and related research through leadership and excellence in patient care, education, and research. The department’s aim is to continuously offer personalized high tech care for eye pathologies and employ the latest medical, surgical and laser treatments for many diseases of the eye.
Services:
- Comprehensive ophthalmic oncology and pathology clinic diagnosing and treating: Orbital and eyelid Ocular surface and Intraocular tumors. We offer plaque brachytherapy among others.
- Uveitis: Cutting edge ancillary services for accurate assessment and diagnosis of uveitis in addition to multidisciplinary management of patients with acute and chronic eye inflammation and infection.
- Comprehensive and up-to-date pediatric ophthalmology service since 2007, offering multidisciplinary management of complicated pediatric anterior segment disorders and pediatric retinal diseases.
- Oculoplastics (Oculo-facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery): Management of functional and aesthetic problems of the eyelid, orbit, and lacrimal system. This also includes a comprehensive cosmetic service of the eyelids and face.
- Low Vision specialist with appropriate with a wide variety of tools and visual aids to optimize visual acuity gains.
Subspecialties:
- Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus: management of all pediatric eye conditions including pediatric glaucoma, cataracts, strabismus, tumors, and congenital ocular diseases, in addition to adult strabismus.
- Cornea: treatment of degeneration, dystrophy, decompensation, and infections of the cornea, as well as the various corneal transplantation. It also covers all complaints related to the ocular surface including dry eyes, blepharitis, and tumors
- Glaucoma: management of open/closed, secondary, low tension and malignant glaucoma as well as ocular hypertension
- Retina: treatment of retinal vascular diseases (e.g: diabetes, artery and venous occlusion), age-related degeneration, dystrophies, infections, and tumors.
- Neuro-ophthalmology: addressing all diseases that affect optic nerves, optic tracts, cerebral visual centers, eye movements, pupils, and functional vision loss
- Oculoplastics treating senile and functional disorders of the eyelid and lacrimal system in addition to facial aesthetics
- Ocular Oncology & Pathology treating intra-ocular and surface tumors of the eye
- Uveitis: diagnosis and management of infectious and autoimmune inflammation of the eye
- Refractive Surgery offering excimer refractive laser and femtosecond technology for cataract and corneal treatment
- Ophthalmic Lasers argon laser, diode, Nd: YAG and green laser
Outpatient facilities
- Specialty clinics:
Located on the 8th floor of the Halim and Aida Daniel Academic and Clinical Center in AUBMC, the clinics are state of the art equipped facilities designed to streamline patient assessment, examination, and treatment. Currently, thirteen subspecialized full-time ophthalmologists are committed to patient care in their respective fields.
Clinic hours are from 8 am-5 pm, from Monday to Friday.
All ocular complaints are addressed in the emergency department at any time with the supervision of full-time faculty members.
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Refractive Surgery Division:
This division is designed to help people see without depending on glasses or contact lenses. Procedures performed include LASIK (Laser in situ Keratomileusis)/ trans- PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) corrective surgery, keratoplasty, intrastromal ring insertion, intra-ocular contact lens insertion, KAMRA for presbyopic correction, and Crosslinking.
- Eye Bank:
Member of the International Federation of Eye Banks, the Eye Bank at AUBMC provides corneas, sclera, and amniotic membrane tissues for various surgeries including the latest advances in corneal transplant: DMEK and DSAEK.
- Ophthalmic Lasers:
Argon laser, Diode, Nd: YAG, and green laser
- Minor Surgery Room:
Located on the same floor with the ophthalmology specialty clinics. It includes a fully functional operating room for Oculoplastic surgery and general Ophthalmology including conscious sedation by a trained registered nurse.
Faculty
|
Name |
Contact Info |
| Bahaa’ Noureddin, MD | Chairperson and Professor of Ophthalmology
Glaucoma and Cataract
Office: +961-1-350000 ext: 5550
Clinic: +961-1-759637
Email:
bndean@aub.edu.lb
|
| Ramzi Alameddine, MD | Associate Professor
Oculoplastics
Clinic: +961-1-759637
Email:
ra169@aub.edu.lb |
| Shady Awwad, MD | Professor
Cornea, Refractive Surgery, Cataract Surgery, and Ophthalmic Pathology
Clinic: +961-1-759637
Email:
sa11@aub.edu.lb |
| Ziad Bashshur, MD | Professor of Ophthalmology
Vitreoretinal
Clinic: +961-1-759637
Email:
zb00@aub.edu.lb |
| Alaa Bou Ghannam, MD | Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Neuro-Ophthalmology/Pediatric Ophthalmology
Clinic: +961-1-759637
Email:
ab58@aub.edu.lb
|
| Nadim Farah, MD | Clinical Assistant Professor
Neuro-Ophthalmology/Pediatric Ophthalmology
Telephone: +961-1-350000
Direct line: +961-1-739840
Email:
nadimfarah@yahoo.com |
| Wajiha Jurdi Kheir, MD |
Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Assistant Professor
Ocular Oncology and Medical Retina
Clinic: +961-1-759637
Email:
wk40@aub.edu.lb |
| Christiane Haddad, MD |
Associate Professor
Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus
Clinic: +961-1-759637
Email:
ca12@aub.edu.lb |
| Randa Haddad, MD |
Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Cornea/External Eye Disease
Clinic: +961-1-759637
Email:
rh01@aub.edu.lb |
| Rola Hamam, MD |
Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Residency Program Director
Vitreoretinal; Uveitis
Clinic: +961-1-759637
Email:
rh46@aub.edu.lb |
| Riad Maluf, MD | Clinical Associate Professor
Oculoplastics/Lacrimal
Telephone: +961-1-350000
Direct line: +961-1-344882
Email:
rmaluf@cyberia.net.lb |
| Ahmad Mansour, MD | Clinical Professor
Vitreoretinal
Telephone: +961-1-350000
Direct line: +961-1-744787
Email:
dr.ahmad@cyberia.net.lb |
| Joanna Saade, MD | Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Cornea, Refractive, and Cataract Surgery
Clinic: +961-1-759637
Email:
hs06@aub.edu.lb
|
| Haytham Salti, MD |
Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology
Vitreoretinal
Clinic: +961-1-759637
Email:
hs06@aub.edu.lb
|
Associates
|
Name |
Contact Info |
| Nada Jabbur, MD | Clinical Associate
Refractive Surgery/Cornea/External Eye Disease
njabbur@yahoo.com
|
| Vicky Massoud, MD | Clinical Associate
Oculoplastics
|
| Hassan Shahine, MD | Clinical Associate
Ocular Electrophysiology
|
| Mohamed Younis, MD | Clinical Associate
Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
|
| Souha Allam, MD | Clinical Associate
Vitreoretinal
Email:
sa33@aub.edu.lb |
Staff
Residents
Location
AUBMC – Daniel ACC 8th floor, room 8124
AUBMC – Daniel ACC 8th floor
Contact Us
AUBMC – Daniel ACC 8th floor, room 8124
Telephone: +961-1-350000 ext: 5550
Email:
bndean@aub.edu.lb
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Appointments (Private Clinics)
AUBMC, 8th floor, Telephone: +961-1-350000 ext: 5581
Direct: +961-1-
759637
Email:
eyeclinic@aub.edu.lb
