WILLS EYE HOSPITAL HOSTS THE 2026 GLOBAL OPHTHALMOLOGY SUMMIT IN PHILADELPHIA
PHILADELPHIA, August 12, 2026 – More than 350 ophthalmologists, physicians, trainees, researchers, industry leaders, and global health experts from around the world gathered in Philadelphia August 7–9 for the 5th Annual Global Ophthalmology Summit to explore how innovation, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies are transforming the future of eye care and expanding access to vision services worldwide.
Hosted by Wills Eye Hospital in partnership with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Global Ophthalmology Consortium, the Summit featured internationally recognized experts who examined practical solutions to some of the world's greatest eye health challenges, from workforce shortages and healthcare inequities to the growing role of AI in diagnosis, education, and patient care.
"It was only fitting to welcome the global ophthalmology community to Philadelphia as our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary," said Julia A. Haller, MD, Chief Executive Officer and Ophthalmologist-in-Chief of Wills Eye Hospital. "Throughout the Summit, we saw remarkable examples of how collaboration, innovation, and technology are helping physicians and healthcare organizations bring high-quality eye care to underserved communities around the world."
The annual Global Ophthalmology Summit is dedicated to improving eye health and preventing avoidable blindness through education, research, collaborative partnerships, and public health advocacy. This year's theme, "Innovation, AI, and Technology: Expanding Access to Healthcare Worldwide," highlighted how advances in digital health, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies are enabling physicians, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and healthcare workers to deliver care more effectively in resource-limited settings.
A highlight of the weekend was the Global Ophthalmology Hackathon, an interactive capstone competition in which multidisciplinary teams of ophthalmologists, public health professionals, engineers, and innovators developed creative solutions to real-world global eye health challenges.
The Summit also recognized leaders whose work has advanced the field of global ophthalmology.
Global Ophthalmology Visionary Award
Wills Eye surgeon Brad H. Feldman, MD, received the 2026 Global Ophthalmology Visionary Award, which honors an individual whose advocacy, research, education, and clinical leadership have made a lasting impact on global eye health.
Dr. Feldman founded and led Wills Eye Hospital's Center for Academic Global Ophthalmology from 2015 through 2023 and has dedicated his career to building sustainable ophthalmic education and clinical care in regions with limited access to specialists. Through long-term partnerships, he helped establish and strengthen residency training programs in Haiti and Rwanda while supporting ophthalmologists serving patients in India, Nepal, Kenya, Burundi, and Sierra Leone.
"Brad's commitment to sustainable education and international partnership has transformed lives across the globe," said Dr. Haller. "We were proud to recognize his extraordinary leadership and lasting contributions to global ophthalmology."
David Hunter Cherwek, MD Award for Global Ophthalmology
The Summit also presented the David Hunter Cherwek, MD Award for Global Ophthalmology to Jacob Miles T. Tanco, MD, an ophthalmologist from Cebu, Philippines, whose dedication to patient care and service exemplifies the future of global ophthalmology.
Dr. Tanco currently serves as one of only two ophthalmologists at the Department of Health – Cebu South Medical Center, providing essential eye care to a large and underserved population. Throughout the year, he also organizes surgical outreach missions with the Sui Generis Missions volunteer team, performing manual cataract surgery for patients in remote, low-resource communities throughout the Philippines.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Tanco volunteers as an on-call firefighter with the Cebu Filipino-Chinese Volunteer Fire Brigade, Inc. and enjoys applying his interest in functional 3D design and printing to solve practical challenges.
Named in honor of internationally respected ophthalmologist Dr. David Hunter Cherwek, the award recognizes an outstanding resident or fellow outside the United States who demonstrates exceptional promise in advancing global ophthalmology.
"The Global Ophthalmology Summit provides a unique platform to share research, strengthen international partnerships, and explore the technological breakthroughs that are helping close the gap in global eye health equity," said Tamara Fountain, MD, Secretary for Global Relations for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "We are grateful to partner with Wills Eye Hospital and the Global Ophthalmology Consortium to advance ophthalmic education and improve access to quality eye care around the world."
The Global Ophthalmology Summit continues to serve as a catalyst for international collaboration, bringing together clinicians, educators, researchers, nonprofit organizations, industry partners, and policymakers committed to eliminating preventable blindness and expanding access to high-quality eye care worldwide.
About the Global Ophthalmology Summit
The Global Ophthalmology Summit is an annual meeting dedicated to advancing eye health worldwide through education, innovation, research, collaboration, and advocacy. The Summit convenes leaders from across ophthalmology, public health, academia, nonprofit organizations, industry, and government to develop practical solutions that improve access to vision care and reduce preventable blindness around the globe.
About Wills Eye Hospital
Wills Eye Hospital is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of vision. As a trusted leader in ophthalmology, the clinical skill and innovative research of top-ranked, compassionate physicians combined with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment procedures make Philadelphia a global destination for eye care. As an independent, specialty hospital, with four regional surgical centers, Wills Eye Hospital serves as a comprehensive center for ophthalmology focused on patient care, research and education. Founded in 1832 through a bequest by Quaker merchant James Wills and registered as a 501(c)3 non-profit, Wills Eye Hospital has consistently earned top national ranking on U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Hospitals” survey. To learn more, visit www.willseye.org.
About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for public policy in eye health. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart® program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.