The 33rd World Ophthalmology Congress 2012 (WOC 2012), featuring an extensive scientific programme with over 2,200 international speakers, opened today (February 16) at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

WOC 2012, the largest convention to be staged in the UAE capital with over 10,000 in attendance has brought together eye-health experts from 136 countries to discuss the discipline’s latest innovations and clinical developments.

The opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, Prince Abdulaziz Ahmad Abdulaziz Al Saud, chairman of the Middle East Africa Council of Ophthalmology (Meaco) and Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nayhan, chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority and Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company.

The ceremony traced advancements in the history of ophthalmology throughout the Middle East Africa region from its earliest records dating back over 3,000 years in ancient Egyptian scripts, to the creation of lens, again dating back 3,000 years in Mesopotamia.

Dr Abdulaziz AlRajhi, president of WOC 2012, said: “This is the first time this congress – the oldest continuous international medical gathering – has been held in the Middle East and it was therefore very apt that the industry pay tribute to the significant contribution the region has played in medical development down the ages.”

“While there is a scarcity of data on blindness in the Mena region, it is estimated that some 22 million people suffer from visual impairment and over three million are blind.”

“WOC 2012 is a platform for practitioners from around the world to share updates on the latest techniques and advancements, which will assist regional and international ophthalmologists advance the care provided to patients.”

“Eyesight is one of God’s most precious gifts,” said Sheikh Sultan. “We have nothing but admiration for the work you do in preventing blindness, often curing it, and treating vision defects and ultimately improving people’s lives. We salute you all.”

Hosted and organised by Meaco, which represents the national and sub regional ophthalmological societies in Africa and the Middle East including Turkey and Iran, the world congress of the International Council of Ophthalmology is jointly organised with the 12th International Congress of the Middle East Africa Council of Ophthalmology.

WOC 2012 will run until February 20. – TradeArabia News Service