About Aviation Ophthalmology
Pilot, air traffic controllers, cabin crew screening
We perform pre-employment and routine eye checkups for issuance and renewals for UAE GCAA Class 1, 2 and 3 pilots and cabin crew members, based on the approved UAE GCAA regulatory requirements. We also offer further world class eye treatment for aviation professionals, as and when required.
Screenings include:
- Consultation with GCAA licensed Ophthalmologist
- Colour vision test – using Ishihara test plates
- Contrast sensitivity (if previous refractive surgery) – contrast sensitivity can be affected after LASIK
- Measurement of intraocular pressure – to exclude glaucoma
- Clinical examination of the anterior segment and dilated fundoscopy (retinal examination) – detailed examination of all the intraocular structures including the cornea, lens, retina and optic nerves
- Examination with orthoptist
- Extraocular muscle balance
- Extraocular movements and
- Heterophoria or heterotropia (strabismus)
- Examiniation with optometrist
- Visual acuity: near and distance
- Refraction
- Binocular Esterman visual fields.
Aviation Ophthalmology Specialists
Dr. Ammar Safar
Chief Medical Officer and Consultant Ophthalmologist & Vitreoretinal SurgeonGCAA Approved Specialist Aviation Medical Examiner
Professor of Ophthalmology (Adjunct)
Brief Introduction
Dr. Ammar is the Chief Medical Officer of Moorfields Eye Hospitals UAE and a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences and as a GCAA-approved Specialist Aviation Medical Examiner. With extensive clinical, academic, and leadership experience across the United States, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Ammar brings a broad international perspective to his work in ophthalmology and healthcare leadership.
Areas of Expertise
Visit Profile - Vitreoretinal diseases and surgery
- Retinal Detachment surgery
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular hole surgery
- Cataract surgery
- Intravitreal injections
- Retinal vascular diseases and vascular occlusive disorders
- Age-related macular degeneration, including exudative macular degeneration
- Aviation Ophthalmology
- American Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
- Medical degree from Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria
- Residency training in Ophthalmology at Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
- Served as Chief Resident at Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
- Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Diseases & Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre, Dallas, Texas, USA
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
- American Society of Retina Specialists
- European Society of Retina Specialists
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
- Arab-American Medical Association
- Adjunct Professor of Ophthalmology at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU)
- Former Assistant Professor and later Associate Professor and Director of Vitreoretinal Surgery at the Department of Ophthalmology, Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, USA
- Conducted research and clinical trials in diabetic retinopathy and age-related eye diseases
- Research contributed to advances in the management of retinal vascular diseases, including diabetic retinopathy and vascular occlusive disorders
- Research contributed to new approaches for the treatment of exudative macular degeneration
- Inaugural recipient of The Martha Wood Bentley Endowed Chair of Ophthalmology at the University of Arkansas
Dr. Luisa M. Sastre
Consultant Ophthalmologist in General Ophthalmology and Cataract SurgeryGCAA Approved Specialist Aeromedical Examiner
Brief intro
Dr. Luisa Sastre is a Consultant Ophthalmologist in General Ophthalmology and Cataract Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, in Dubai Healthcare City. She has a special interest in retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration, among other retinal problems. She has more than 20 years of regional and international experience across Spain and the UAE, including practice at leading medical institutions in Madrid. Alongside her clinical work, she contributes to humanitarian initiatives providing cataract treatment to patients with limited access to specialist eye care.
Areas of Expertise
Visit Profile - General ophthalmology
- Cataract assessment and surgery
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular degeneration
- Medical degree from Universidad Autónoma Medical School, Spain
- Board Certification in Ophthalmology from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
- Ophthalmology residency at Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Board Certification in Intensive Care Medicine
- Intensive Care Medicine residency at Fundacion Jiménez Diaz, Madrid, Spain
- PhD from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
- Master’s degree in Healthcare Organisation Leadership from ESADE Business School, Spain
- Member of Sociedad Española de Oftalmología (SEO)
- Member of Surgical Eye Expeditions International, a nonprofit humanitarian organisation supporting eye care clinics worldwide
- Presented papers at national and international congresses
- Organised educational courses on cataract surgery and medical retina for professional peers and opticians
Dr. Osama Giledi
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cataract, Cornea and Refractive Vision Correction SurgeryChief of Cornea and Refractive surgery
GCAA Approved Specialist Aeromedical Examiner
Associate Professor Of Ophthalmology (Adjunct)
Brief intro
Dr. Osama Giledi is a highly experienced Consultant Ophthalmologist in cornea, ocular surface disorders, cataract and refractive surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City.
He has more than 28 years of clinical and surgical experience in the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. His practice encompasses advanced corneal therapeutics, complex corneal disease management, complex cataract surgery and laser vision correction. He has performed more than 28,000 refractive surgery procedures, with a strong focus on achieving safe, precise and individualised visual outcomes.
Areas of Expertise
Cataract & Premium Lens Surgery
Visit Profile - Advanced phacoemulsification cataract surgery
- Premium intraocular lenses, including toric, multifocal and extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) lenses
- Full-thickness and partial-thickness corneal transplantation
- SALK, DALK and DSAEK procedures
- Management of complex corneal disorders
- Advanced surgical and non-surgical corneal therapeutics
- SMILE
- Femto-LASIK
- PRK and TransPRK
- Phakic intraocular lenses, including ICL
- Corneal cross-linking
- Intracorneal ring segments
- Complex laser treatments
- Corneal transplantation
- Severe dry eye disease
- Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)
- Pterygium
- Limbal stem cell deficiency
- Ocular surface reconstruction
- Amniotic membrane grafting
- Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft and fibrin glue techniques
- MBBCh, Medical Degree, Libya
- Specialist Ophthalmology Training, United Kingdom
- FRCSEd (Ophthalmology), Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK
- Certification in Refractive Surgery, Royal College of Ophthalmologists, London, UK
- Six-month Clinical Fellowship in Cornea and External Eye Disease, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, UK
- Two-year Higher Subspecialty Fellowship in Anterior Segment, Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Corneoplastic Unit and Eye Bank, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, UK
- United Kingdom & Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons ( UKISCRS)
- European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS)
- Emirates Ophthalmology Society (ESO)
- Member, UAE National Organ and Tissue Program Corneal Transplant Committee
- Associate Professor of Ophthalmology (Adjunct) at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU)
- Extensive experience in ophthalmic teaching and surgical trainingin
- Presenter at national and international ophthalmology meetings
- Author of research published in peer-reviewed scientific journals
Dr. Salman Waqar
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Adult and Paediatric Glaucoma and Cataract surgeryAssociate Professor Of Ophthalmology (Adjunct)
GCAA Approved Specialist Aviation Medical Examiner
CASA Designated Aviation Ophthalmologist (DAO)
Brief intro
Dr. Salman Waqar is an experienced consultant ophthalmologist specialising in the treatment of adult and paediatric glaucoma and cataracts at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City. He has more than 20 years of International clinical experience in the United Kingdom, including consultant and clinical leadership roles across several leading eye care institutions.
Areas of Expertise
Visit Profile - Adult and paediatric glaucoma
- Medical, laser and surgical management of glaucoma
- Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), including iStent, KDB, GATT and ECP
- Glaucoma filtration surgery, including augmented trabeculectomy
- Aqueous shunt devices, including PAUL Implant, Ahmed ClearPath, Ahmed Valve, Baerveldt Tube and PRESERFLO
- Glaucoma laser treatments, including Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, Laser Iridotomy and Cyclodiode Laser
- Microincisional and sutureless cataract surgery
- Cataract surgery using monofocal, toric, multifocal and extended depth of field intraocular lenses
- Cataract surgery for aviation professionals
- General ophthalmology, including dry eye, blepharitis, eye pain and decreased vision
- GCAA-accredited specialist aeromedical examinations
- Medical degree completed in Pakistan University of Health Sciences, Lahore, PakistanCertificate of Completion of Training (CCT), UK
- Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth), UK
- Subspecialty training in glaucoma at the West of England Eye Unit, Exeter, UK
- Member of the United Kingdom and Eire Glaucoma Society (UKEGS)
- Member of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRCS)
- Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- Full registration with License to Practice with the General Medical Council, UK
- Associate Professor of Ophthalmology (Adjunct) at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU)
- Former Honorary Fellow at Plymouth University (UK), involved in the training of doctors and surgeons
- Research focused on improving patient outcomes with minimally invasive glaucoma surgery
- Research using virtual reality simulation to investigate surgeon performance
- Contributed to the development of innovative surgical instruments designed to improve patient safety
- Published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, including the British Journal of Ophthalmology and the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery
- Regular presenter at national and international ophthalmology meetings
- Recipient of multiple research grants
- Co-author of four medical textbooks
- Surgical skills instructor for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery courses
- Instructor on microsurgical skills courses with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- Nominated for the Peninsula School of Ophthalmology Regional Trainer of the Year Award in 2019 (UK)
Dr. Suhair Twaij
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Adult & Paediatric Strabismus Surgery, Paediatric Ophthalmology, Adult Cataract SurgeryGCAA Approved Specialist Aviation Medical Examiner
Brief intro
Dr Suhair Twaij is a Consultant Ophthalmologist with expertise in adult and paediatric Strabismus surgery, Paediatric Ophthalmology, adult Cataract Surgery and General Ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City. She has more than 20 years of regional and international experience in ophthalmology, including the UK and UAE.
Areas of Expertise
Visit Profile - Adult and paediatric strabismus (squint) surgery using adjustable surgery technique
- Complex strabismus surgery, including adjustable suture techniques where appropriate
- General paediatric ophthalmology, including eyelid disorders and watery eyes, including probing and syringing with and without tubes and developmental cataract.
- Myopia management.
- Double vision management using prisms, surgical treatment, and others.
- Adult cataract surgery phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation.
- Botox treatment for strabismus and double vision.
- Botox treatment for blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm
- General ophthalmology disorders for adults, including eyelid disorders, dry eye disease, blepharoplasty upper eyelid, diabetic retinopathy assessment and others
- YAG laser for capsular opacification
- Medical degree from Baghdad University Medical School, Iraq
- Ophthalmology specialist training in England and Northern Ireland, UK
- Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Ophthalmology, UK
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth)
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in Ophthalmology (FRCS Ophth Glasg)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Cataract & Refractive Surgery, University of Ulster UK
- Member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth)
- Member of the British & Irish Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Association (BIPOSA)
- Member of the European Strabismological Association (ESA)
- Published research indexed in MEDLINE across a range of ophthalmology topics
- Research includes medical retina, paediatric ophthalmology and oculoplastics
Dr. Salman Waqar
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Adult and Paediatric Glaucoma and Cataract surgeryAssociate Professor Of Ophthalmology (Adjunct)
GCAA Approved Specialist Aviation Medical Examiner
CASA Designated Aviation Ophthalmologist (DAO)
Brief intro
Dr. Salman Waqar is an experienced consultant ophthalmologist specialising in the treatment of adult and paediatric glaucoma and cataracts at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City. He has more than 20 years of International clinical experience in the United Kingdom, including consultant and clinical leadership roles across several leading eye care institutions.
Areas of Expertise
Visit Profile - Adult and paediatric glaucoma
- Medical, laser and surgical management of glaucoma
- Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), including iStent, KDB, GATT and ECP
- Glaucoma filtration surgery, including augmented trabeculectomy
- Aqueous shunt devices, including PAUL Implant, Ahmed ClearPath, Ahmed Valve, Baerveldt Tube and PRESERFLO
- Glaucoma laser treatments, including Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty, Laser Iridotomy and Cyclodiode Laser
- Microincisional and sutureless cataract surgery
- Cataract surgery using monofocal, toric, multifocal and extended depth of field intraocular lenses
- Cataract surgery for aviation professionals
- General ophthalmology, including dry eye, blepharitis, eye pain and decreased vision
- GCAA-accredited specialist aeromedical examinations
- Medical degree completed in Pakistan University of Health Sciences, Lahore, PakistanCertificate of Completion of Training (CCT), UK
- Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth), UK
- Subspecialty training in glaucoma at the West of England Eye Unit, Exeter, UK
- Member of the United Kingdom and Eire Glaucoma Society (UKEGS)
- Member of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRCS)
- Member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- Full registration with License to Practice with the General Medical Council, UK
- Associate Professor of Ophthalmology (Adjunct) at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU)
- Former Honorary Fellow at Plymouth University (UK), involved in the training of doctors and surgeons
- Research focused on improving patient outcomes with minimally invasive glaucoma surgery
- Research using virtual reality simulation to investigate surgeon performance
- Contributed to the development of innovative surgical instruments designed to improve patient safety
- Published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, including the British Journal of Ophthalmology and the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery
- Regular presenter at national and international ophthalmology meetings
- Recipient of multiple research grants
- Co-author of four medical textbooks
- Surgical skills instructor for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery courses
- Instructor on microsurgical skills courses with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- Nominated for the Peninsula School of Ophthalmology Regional Trainer of the Year Award in 2019 (UK)
Dr. Esmaeil Arbabi
Medical Director and Consultant Ophthalmologist in Corneal transplant, Cataract & Refractive Surgery
Dr. Esmaeil Mohammad Arbabi is a Consultant Ophthalmologist with excellent surgical experience including all types of corneal transplants (DMEK, DSAEK, PDEK, DALK, PKP), ocular surface reconstruction, complex cataract and laser refractive surgery.
Prior to joining Moorfields Eye Hospital Center, he was Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon (Cornea, Cataract & Laser Refractive Surgery) and the Lead for Refractive Services at Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Dr. Esmaeil holds several prestigious degrees and certifications in the field of cataract and refractive surgery including MSc in Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Certificate in Laser and Refractive Surgery (CertLRS) from Royal College of Ophthalmologist and Fellow of European Board of Ophthalmology Subspecialty Diploma in Cataract and Refractive Surgery (FEBOS-CR).
He is a member of Royal College of Ophthalmologists, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, European Board of Ophthalmology, UK Cross-Linking Consortium, EYE -LAW CHAMBERS - Medicolegal Expert and Expert, Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
He is instrumental in high quality papers in various peer reviewed journals and numerous scientific and ophthalmology publications. He is also an examiner for the University of Leeds and the University of Liverpool and for the European Board of Ophthalmologist (FEBO exam).
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