Global ophthalmology increasingly is being discussed within academic medicine, yet the field can still feel difficult to define for many trainees. What does it truly mean to practice global ophthalmology? How are good intentions turned into meaningful, sustainable action?
Organizations such as the Global Ophthalmology Summit (GOS) and the AAO’s Global Task Force are helping to answer these questions. Through curricular development, research, mentorship, and collaboration, they are transforming global ophthalmology from a passion-driven interest into a principle-driven discipline.
GOS 2025 offered attendees a powerful glimpse into what this discipline can look like. With experts from around the world, the meeting fostered thoughtful dialogue around some of the most pressing challenges in eye care. Its theme—Policy, Advocacy, and Action—centered on how to promote eye health equity even in the face of political and structural challenges.
Hosted by the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago, the 4th annual GOS left me with several reflections that will continue to shape my approach to training, advocacy, and service.
Global Health Starts Locally
Global ophthalmology is not exclusively overseas; it begins in our own communities. Chicago—a city where health disparities fall starkly along geographic lines—illustrates this clearly. Speakers such as Megan Collins, MD, of Wilmer Eye Institute, and Aiyin Chen, MD, of Casey Eye Institute, challenged attendees to expand their definitions of access to eye care by thinking beyond traditional clinic walls. Their examples highlighted partnerships with schools, federally qualified health centers, and community health centers to bring eye care directly to those most in need. The message was clear: Global health is inseparable from local community health. The efforts that take place in our own neighborhoods are part of the same mission around the world.
Advocacy Is a Learned Skill—and Trainees Must Engage
As an early trainee, I found one of the most powerful realizations from the meeting to be that advocacy is not an innate talent but rather a learned skill. Like surgical skills, effective advocacy requires mentorship, repetition, and deliberate practice. Advocacy may not be formally taught in most residency programs; residents who are interested should seek opportunities to engage with state ophthalmology societies, nonprofit organizations, and the AAO. The GOS reinforced to trainees like me that advocacy is not a future responsibility—it is a skill worth developing now.
A Strong Global Ophthalmologist Is a Strong Ophthalmologist First
Before trainees can improve eye care systems, we must first master the fundamentals of patient care.
The clinical and surgical skills we build in residency remain the foundation of any future work in global ophthalmology, whether that entails practicing in a tertiary referral center or a resource-limited setting.
Manual small-incision cataract surgery demonstrates this principle. Often viewed as a “global” surgical technique, it is better understood as another valuable tool in a comprehensive surgeon’s toolbox. The broader lesson is to maximize the learning opportunities while in training as this becomes the framework within which you approach difficult clinical settings as a surgeon.
There Is a Role for Everyone
The most encouraging takeaway from GOS was the reminder that global ophthalmology is not a single activity—it is a shared commitment to equitable eye care. Its success depends on contributions among individuals across disciplines and career stages: medical students, residents, senior ophthalmologists, allied personnel, researchers, engineers, innovators, and policymakers. Trainees may hesitate to engage until they reach a certain point in their careers before they feel they can make a meaningful contribution.
GOS speakers challenged this assumption. There is no “just a medical student” or “just a resident.” This spirit was best reflected in the annual Hackathon, where multidisciplinary teams collaborate to address real-world challenges in eye care. The creativity, energy, and sense of shared purpose captured the ethos of the summit itself.
Looking Forward
As I look ahead of GOS 2026, I find myself reflecting on the lessons and conversations that made last year’s meeting so impactful. Beyond the lectures and workshops, it is the sense of shared responsibility. Ophthalmology sits at a powerful intersection of clinical care, public health, and social duty. The challenges are complex, and progress can be slow, but each of us has a role in shaping a world where sight is not a privilege but a universal right. There is a role for everyone in this work, and there is value in engaging now.
This year, I am excited to reconnect with colleagues, learn from leaders across the field, and explore innovative approaches to ongoing challenges in eyecare. If last year’s summit was a call to action, I look forward to seeing how this year’s meeting continues to inspire the next generation of ophthalmologists to build a future where high-quality eye care is accessible to all.
