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• Mother describes the moment she saw her children clearly again as “a blessing beyond words”
• Collaborative approach to cataract and strabismus surgeries highlight value of second opinions in complex eye cases and showcase Moorfields’ multi‑speciality expertise
• Case underscores Abu Dhabi’s rise as a destination for world‑class ophthalmic care

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 17 July 2025: After five years of worsening vision, Indonesian mother‑of‑two, Ellyzabeth Bella Lukitasari, 34 has regained her sight through a combination of advanced cataract and squint correction surgeries at Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 network.

Ellyzabeth, who moved to the UAE with her family 3 years ago, was initially diagnosed with glaucoma back in Indonesia and managed the condition with medication and daily eye‑drops. “Every month, the world looked a little foggier,” she recalls. “I worried that one day, I wouldn’t even recognise my children’s faces.”

“She couldn’t see more than three metres ahead,” recalls Ellyzabeth’s husband, Mochamad Soleh Wicaksono. “While our doctor in Indonesia found glaucoma, they couldn’t take any action because the nerve was too thin.”

A comprehensive assessment at Moorfields Eye Hospital in Abu Dhabi by Dr Usman Mahmood, Consultant Ophthalmologist, changed everything. It revealed not only that the glaucoma was advanced, but also dense cataracts in both eyes, as well as a strabismus – a misalignment of the eyes, often referred to as ‘squint’ – that further affected her sight.

“The cataracts stemmed from chronic uveitis, affecting the back of the eye,” explains Dr Mahmood. “We needed to remove them under steroid control before we could correct her alignment. It demanded close collaboration across our sub‑specialities.”

“When the bandages came off, the first thing I saw clearly was my daughter’s smile. It felt like a second life,” said Ellyzabeth. “The Moorfields team treated me with such care and gave me back my confidence and for that I am extremely grateful.”

A tailored surgical plan

Ellyzabeth agreed to staged approach. Dr. Mahmood first performed cataract surgery on both eyes, left followed by right, restoring a clear optical pathway.

“Comprehensive testing is vital in complex cases like Ellyzabeth’s,” explained Dr. Mahmood. “Addressing the cataracts first allowed us to accurately measure her squint and plan the second procedure, ultimately giving her the best possible outcome. I’m pleased to see that her vision improved significantly, along with her quality of life, and she seems very happy.”

Ellyzabeth was then referred to Dr Irfan Khan, Consultant Ophthalmologist, who performed strabismus‑correction surgery to realign her eyes and optimise binocular vision.

“There is a common misconception that squint surgery cannot be performed in eyes which have poor vision – that’s a myth,” said Dr Khan. “If the surgery is performed properly and is successful, patients can maintain good ocular alignment for the rest of their lives. I’m so pleased with the outcome we were able to deliver for Ellyzabeth.”

Had the surgeries not been performed, specialists estimate Ellyzabeth’s vision would have continued to decline, eventually leaving her unable to manage basic daily tasks such as caring for her children, reading or navigating safely.

“Thank you to Moorfields Eye Hospital – the doctors, the nurses and all the staff that were able to achieve this miracle for my wife’s sight, added Ellyzabeth’s husband Mochamad Soleh. Thank you for your kindness, professionalism and for treating us like family. She used to know people by the sound of their voice, now she can see everyone and that has changed our lives.”

Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi leverages more than two centuries of expertise from its London counterpart, offering advanced diagnostic, medical and surgical eye care to patients across the Middle East and beyond. Success stories like Ellyzabeth’s reinforce Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a destination for world‑class healthcare.

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Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai announced that it has been awarded “Center of Excellence” accreditation in ophthalmology by the Australian Council in Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI), becoming the first eye health facility in the region to achieve this prestigious achievement.

The announcement ceremony organised by the hospital marking this occasion was attended by His Excellency Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, and His Excellency Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, as well as an elite group of officials in the health sector in Dubai, along with representatives of the Executive Board from Moorfields London and Dubai, and senior doctors and specialists in ophthalmology, where the importance of this accreditation in enhancing the quality of health care and consolidating Dubai’s position as a global destination for medical excellence was highlighted.

This achievement reflects the hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality medical services in line with the best international standards, as Moorfields Dubai is the first branch of the prestigious Moorfields Eye Hospital outside the United Kingdom and is under the management of the National Health Foundation (NHS), which enhances its reputation as one of the most prominent ophthalmology centers in the world.

According to the Commonwealth Fund’s annual report for 2024, the Australian health care system ranks first among the ten high-income countries, as Australian health care excelled in several areas, and ranked first in health outcomes, distinguished by its administrative efficiency.

H.E. Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, stressed that the prestigious accreditation granted for Moorfields Eye Hospital, making it the region’s first Centre of Excellence in Ophthalmology, is indeed a significant milestone for the health sector, further strengthening the competitive efficiency of healthcare facilities in the UAE. This recognition not only reinforces the competitive strength of our medical entities but also reaffirms global confidence in the quality and excellence of healthcare services in the country.

He stressed that the UAE is committed to adopting proactive strategies and continuously improving healthcare standards in line with the goals of the Year of Community, which seeks to promote health sustainability and enhance well-being across the country.

His Excellency commended the efficiency of Dubai’s healthcare system and the dedicated efforts of the Dubai Health Authority and Dubai Health, adding that the UAE will continue to develop and upgrade state-of-the-art health and preventive services to ensure that the country’s healthcare sector continues its upward trajectory, securing leading positions in global healthcare competitiveness.

His Excellency Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, praised this achievement, which represents a qualitative addition to the health sector in the emirate, and confirms its advanced position in providing health care services in accordance with the highest international standards, noting that accreditation from the Australian Council in Healthcare Standards International reflects the hospital’s commitment to applying the highest standards of quality and safety, and confirms the supportive environment that Dubai provides to leading health institutions, which enables them to achieve advanced levels of medical excellence.

He explained that this achievement reflects Dubai’s strategic approach to enhancing the quality of health services. It also reflects the continuous efforts made by the Dubai Health Authority to ensure the provision of specialized medical services at international standards, indicating the Authority’s keenness to support and enable health facilities to achieve such achievements that are in line with the emirate’s future vision of being a global center for medical excellence, and an ideal choice for specialized health care.

Mr. Elhadi Hassan, Managing Director of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, said: “Obtaining the “Centre of Excellence Certificate” is a prestigious recognition of our specialized services, and of the exceptional experience and achievements of our team. It also confirms our continued commitment to providing our best in everything we do, from patient care to our endeavors in the field of teaching and research, with a focus on a healthcare approach centered around person centred care. We could not have achieved this without the support of the Dubai Government and our regulators.”

He explained that this accreditation from a prestigious international body came after years of diligent work to accomplish this mission. He praised the support of the Dubai Government, represented by the Dubai Health Authority and the Dubai Health, in reaching this achievement from the Australian Council for Healthcare Standards International, which is one of the largest global accreditors of hospitals and health facilities, as it has more than fifty years of experience in developing quality and safety standards in health care.

He also stressed that this accreditation represents an official certificate of Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai’s compliance with quality and safety standards and the application of international best practices in the field of ophthalmology.