Ophthalmology, the branch of medicine dedicated to the study and care of the eyes, plays a vital role in preserving one of our most precious senses: vision. Beyond helping us see clearly, it enables early detection of serious systemic diseases, prevents blindness, and significantly improves quality of life, making it an indispensable field in healthcare and public well-being.
Since 2004, the Open Medical Institute, in partnership with Weill Cornell Medicine, has run an ophthalmology seminar series in Salzburg. Designed for clinicians eager to elevate their diagnostic and surgical expertise, the program brings together leading experts from the United States and Austria and spans the full spectrum of modern eye care.
Course director Dr. Gary J. Lelli, who has been involved 14 times, put together once more a compelling schedule.
“I consider the teaching and networking from the OMI seminars to be one of the most valuable and important aspects of my career. The courses allow for a two-way exchange of knowledge and skills and, more importantly, lead to a global network of ophthalmologists who can lean on each other for managing complicated ophthalmic care”, stated Dr. Lelli.
37 participants coming from 26 countries gained cutting-edge insights in key subspecialties including retina, cataract, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, pediatric ophthalmology, and uveitis. Participants explored best practices and emerging innovations such as advanced cataract techniques, vitreoretinal surgery evolution, glaucoma diagnosis and treatment strategies, management of complex strabismus, and the evaluation of neuro-ophthalmic emergencies like nystagmus and diplopia. Additional sessions addressed orbital disease, eyelid lesions, diabetic macular edema, macular hemorrhage, and uveitis challenges, each delivered by internationally recognized leaders in their field: Drs. Gary J. Lelli, Jr., Mark. J. Dinkin, Paul Petrakos, and Jordana M. Smith (all from Weill Cornell Medicine, New York), Dr. Susanne Binder (Sigmund Freud University, Vienna), Dr. Christiane I. Falkner-Radler (Medical University of Vienna), Dr. Ulrike Stolba (Rudolf Foundation Hospital, Vienna), as well as Drs. Herbert A. Reitsamer, Johann P. Colvin, and Sandra Stuppner, MD (all from the General Hospital of Salzburg).
A hallmark of the program was its emphasis on interactive, case-based learning. Multiple workshops allowed fellows to learn from faculty-presented cases and present their own, receiving important feedback in a collegial, high-level academic environment. Topics included surgical decision-making, case-presentation mastery, and approaches to complex or “unmanageable” clinical scenarios. Following the fellows’ case presentation sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, the faculty selected 6 cases for publication in the OMI case library. These cases were presented by Drs. Alma Cickusic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Annette Garcia Castro (Mexico), Albina Krasniqi (Kosovo), Francisco Saldivar (Mexico), Lorena Karla Sklebar (Croatia), and Aap Toming (Estonia). Congratulations!
The ophthalmology course marks the final OMI seminar of the year in Salzburg. In 2025, we hosted 39 courses at Schloss Arenberg, training 1,345 doctors from 79 countries across five continents. Their education was made possible by 288 distinguished faculty members from leading institutions in the United States and Europe, who generously volunteered their time and expertise.
Delgerzul Bat, MD
OMI fellow from Mongolia
“This week felt like one of the most meaningful learning experiences of my career. Since it was my first time at the OMI, I was not entirely sure what to expect, but everything exceeded what I had imagined. The lectures were full of valuable information, yet never overwhelming. Each hour added another piece to the puzzle I have been trying to complete for years.”
Pedro Gonzalez, MD
OMI fellow from Mexico
“We had the opportunity to hear Dr. Susanne Binder speak about the evolution of vitrectomy and cataract surgery in patients with macular degeneration. Considering how common these conditions are in our setting, her insights were extremely valuable.”
Albina Krasniqi, MD
OMI fellow from Kosovo
“The lectures of Dr. Herbert Reitsamer on glaucoma were fantastic. He shared so much evidence-based, practical information about diagnosing and treating glaucoma. After the session, I had the chance to keep talking with him about congenital glaucoma, and he was incredibly open and generous in sharing his experience.”
