New Vice President of North Africa, Prof. Yehia Salah, brings extensive expertise in ophthalmology, academic leadership, and cataract surgery.
The African Ophthalmology Council , an organisation dedicated to advancing the ophthalmology profession and improving the delivery of eye care to patients across Africa, today announced the appointment of Prof. Yehia Salah to its Board of Trustees. Additionally, Prof. Salah has been appointed to the position of AOC Vice President, North Africa. His term commences immediately and will be officially endorsed at the AOC General Assembly in July 2026.
“We have carefully considered your background, skills, and commitment to the values that define our organization,” stated Prof. Ciku Mathenge, President of the AOC, in a formal letter regarding the appointment. “Your extensive experience aligns seamlessly with our goals and objectives, and we are enthusiastic about the expertise you will bring to our leadership team. Your dedication to advancing the ophthalmology profession and improving the delivery of eye care to patients across Africa makes us confident that your involvement will have a significant, positive impact on our organization.”
Prof. Yehia Salah currently serves as a Professor of Ophthalmology at the Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University. He recently served as the Chairman of the ophthalmology department at the university from 2022 to 2025. Furthermore, he is the current President of the Egyptian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (EgSCRS), a role he has held since 2024. Beyond his academic leadership, Prof. Salah is the Chairman and founder of the eyeCare Center in Maadi, Cairo.
A pioneer in his field, he was one of the first surgeons to introduce modern phacoemulsification in Egypt and the Middle East in 1993. Earlier in his career, he completed visiting oculoplastic fellowships at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and Moorfield’s Eye Hospital in London. Prof. Salah holds an M.B.B.Ch., an MSc, and a Ph.D. in Ophthalmology from the Kasr Alainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University.
The Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of the AOC. As a newly appointed member, Prof. Salah will be actively involved in decision-making processes, provide leadership to help achieve the organization’s mission, and contribute to the development and implementation of key initiatives. He will serve a single, four-year term on the board and is not eligible for re-election to this specific role.
About Prof. Yehia Salah’s Clinical & Research Impact
Throughout his career, Prof. Salah has established an extensive record in clinical education and global professional engagement:
- He has lectured in more than 40 countries around the world.
- In 2007, he authored “Phacoemulsification: A step-by-step Guide,” distinguishing himself as the first Egyptian or Arab doctor to write a book on the topic.
- He is an active board member of the Dry Eye and Ocular Surface Society (DEOSS).
- His extensive public service background includes executing outreach programs for the prevention of blindness in remote Egyptian governorates, Sudan, Iraq, and Libya.