2026 Summit Program for Friday

AUGUST 7, 2026

(Subject to change)
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7:00 – 7:50 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast

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7:50 – 8:00 a.m. | Opening Remarks

Moderators:​

• John Anhalt, MD

• Brenton Finklea, MD

• Tamara R. Fountain, MD

8:00 – 9:15 a.m. | AI and Global Health: Current Status

This session presents a relevant discussion around cutting-edge technology and its real-world applications in current global healthcare delivery.

 

Moderators:​

• R.V. Paul Chan, MD, MBA

• Peter W. MacIntosh, MD

 

Speakers:

• Nakul S Shekhawat, MD 

• Lama A Al-Aswad, MD, MPH

• ​Manu Nathan, MBA

• Ciku Wanjiku Mathenge, MD, PhD​

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9:20 – 10:35 a.m. | Innovative Economic Models

This panel explores innovative economic and financing models that can expand access to eye care while supporting sustainable, high-quality service delivery. Speakers will discuss lessons learned, promising innovations, and new research across diverse health care settings.

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Moderators:

• Charles A. Cole, MD

• Michelle J. Sun, MD​

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​Speakers:

• The Aravind way: An Economy Built on Compassion
  Harinikrishna Balakrishnan Sr., DO, MBBS

• Building Sustainable Eye Care in Guatemala: The Visualiza Eye Clinic Experience
  Gladys Lucia Silva Linares, MD

• Watering Grass Roots in a Wild Fire: Adventures in Eye Care Financing in Eastern Congo
  John M. Cropsey, MD

• See Now, Pay Later: Building Financially Sustainable Eye Care Systems
  Melissa Witte, BA

• Productivity Study of Presbyopia Elimination in Garment Workers (PROSPER II): A Randomised Trial on the Productivity Impact of Providing Near Glasses to Indian Garment Factory Workers
  Nathan G. Congdon, MD

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10:35 – 11:00 a.m. | Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Ethics - Global and AI

Moderator:

• Megan E. Collins, MD​​

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​Speaker:

• Pauline M. Dmitriev, MD

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12:15 – 1:15 p.m. | Lunch

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1:15 – 2:15 p.m. | AI and Robotics in Ophthalmology: Transforming Clinical Care, Diagnostics, and Global Access

This session will explore emerging innovations at the intersection of AI, machine learning, and robotic technologies, with a focus on their application to glaucoma care, retinal disease detection, surgical precision, and population level screening. It will provide a forward looking perspective on how AI and robotics can strengthen global ophthalmology, reduce disparities, and improve outcomes for patients worldwide.

 

Moderators:

• Karen M. Allison, MD, MBA

• Eydie G. Miller-Ellis, MD

 

Speakers​​​​

• ​Stephen Odaibo, MD​

• Marisse Masis, MBChB, MD

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2:15 – 3:00 p.m. | Poster Sessions

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3:00 – 4:30 p.m. | Subspecialty Cases

​Moderators: 

• Joshua R. Ehrlich, MD

• Karl C. Golnik, MD

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4:30 – 5:15 p.m. | Hackathon Work Groups

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5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Reception