Born January 12, 1939 in Aleppo, Syria
Married with three children
Sep 1960 - Jun 1961 PCB
Sep 1961 - June 1967 MD
Oct 1975 Diplomat
Licensed to practice Medicine and Surgery in Massachusetts, Michigan and Florida
Jul 1965 - Jun 1967 Damascus University Hospital - Damascus, Syria
Jul 1969 - Jun 1970 Mt. Carmel Mercy Hospital - Detroit, Michigan
Jul 1967 - Jun 1969 Damascus University Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology - Damascus, Syria
Jul 1970 - Dec 1970 Providence Hospital, Department of General Surgery - Southfield, Michigan
Jan 1971 - Dec 1972 Providence Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology - Southfield, Michigan
Jul 1975 - Jun 1977 Clinical and Research Fellow, Retina Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary - Boston, Massachusetts
1977 – 1983 Instructor in Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School - Boston, Massachusetts
1985 – 1992 Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, King Saud University - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
1973 – 1975 Full-time Ophthalmologist, Metropolitan Hospital,- Detroit, Michigan
1977 – 1983 Assistant in Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary - Boston, Massachusetts
1977 – 1983 Brookline Hospital - Brookline, Massachusetts
1983 – 1996 Chief of Vitreo – Retina Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
1996 – present Founder and Director of Al-Wafai Eye Center - Damascus, Syria
• Fellow, American College of Surgeons, (FACS) • Fellow, American Academy of Ophthalmology, (FAAO) • Fellow, American Society of Contemporary Ophthalmology • Fellow, American Association of Ophthalmology • Fellow, Royal College of Ophthalmologist, (FRCOphth-Canada) • Fellow, International College of Surgeons, (FICS) • International Eye Foundation • Research to Prevent Blindness • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology • Instituto Barraquer, Barcelona, Spain • Syrian Medical Association, Damascus, Syria • American Intra ocular Lens Implant Society • International Society for the History of Medicine
• Nominee for the King Faysal International Prize for Medicine (Diabetes Mellitus) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 1986 • Nominee for the King Faysal International Prize for Medicine (Prevention of Blindness) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 1987 • Recipient of the “Honor Award” of the American Academy of Ophthalmology – 1994
• Keynote speech at the Afro-Asian Congress of Ophthalmology in Lahore, Pakistan – 1984, entitled “Contribution of Muslims to Medicine”. • Keynote speech to the 1st Congress of the Jordanian Ophthalmological Society, Amman, Jordan – 1988, entitled “The Effect of Muslim and Arab Oculists on The Western Ophthalmology”. • Keynote speech at the Annual Joint Meeting of Arabmed in Europe and Union of Arab Medicals and Pharmacists in Austria, Vienna, April-2019, "Arab and Muslim Occulists in the Mdieval Era".
1. McMeel, J. W., Field, R., Wafai, M. Z.: Pituitary Ablation: Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy. Controversy in Ophthalmology, Ed: Brockhurst, R., Borchoff, S. A., Hutchinson, B. T., Lessell, S. Saunders Publishing Co., 1977 2. Wafai, M. Z., and Aiello L. M.: Vitrectomy for Diabetic Retinopathy (Monograph). Joslin Clinic, 1977. Prepared for Harvard Medical School and Joslin Clinical Course. 3. Kenyon, K. R., Wafai, M. Z., Michels, R., Conary, B., and Tolentino, F. I.: Corneal Basement Membrane Abnormalities in Diabetes Mellitus. Investigative Ophthalmology, Vis. Sci. 17:245, 1978. 4. Wafai, M. Z., Kalandy, A., D’Elia, J., and Aiello L. M.: Acute Glaucoma Attacks during Hemodialysis in Diabetic Patients following vitrectomy. Clinical Research 27:602, 1979. 5. Pavan, P. R., Aiello, L. M., Wafai, M. Z., Briones, J. C., Sebestyen, J. G., Bradbury, M. J.: Optic Disc Edema in Juvenile-Onset Diabetes. Archives of Ophthalmology 98:2193-2195, December 1981. 6. Aiello, L. M., Rand, L. I., Briones, J. C., Wafai, M. Z., Sebestyen, J. G.: Diabetic Retinopathy in the Joslin Clinic Patient with Adult-Onset Diabetes. Ophthalmology 88:619:623, 1981 7. Wafai, M. Z., Manual Guide for Diabetic Patients (Arabic) Book, Dar Al-Ilm Limalayeen, Beirut, Lebanon, 1981. 8. Aiello, L. M., Rand, L. I., Briones, J. C., Weiss, J. N., Wafai, M. Z., Non Ocular Clinical Risk Factors in thee Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy, Diabetic Retinopathy, Ed: Littile, H. L., Jack, R. I., Patz, A., Forsham, P. Theime-Stratton, Inc. 1983. 9. Wafai, M. Z., The Role of Arab/Muslim Oculists in the Development of Ophthalmology. Al-Faysal Medical Journal, P. O. Box 2114. Dammam Saudi Arabia. 10. Buzney, S. M., McMeel, J. W. Field, R. A., Wafai, M. Z., Rapp, S. M.: Florid Diabetic Retinopathy: A role for pituitary dilation. Acta Ophthalmoloica. 11. Wafai, M. Z., (Editor): The History of Ophthalmology, by Julius Hirschberg, (D1925 AD.) Translated into English by F. C. Blodi. J. P. Wayenborg Verlag, Bonn W. Germany, 1985. 12. Wafai, M. Z., and Kal’ Aji, M. R.: (Editors) Nur Al-Uyun Wa Jame Al-Funun, written by Salah Addin Al-Kahhal Al-Hamwi, (circa 1296 AD.) King Faysal Center for research and Islamic studies, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 1987. 13. Wafai, M. Z., and Kal’ Aji, M. R.: (Editors) Al-Muhadhab Fi Al-Kuhl Al-Mujarrab, written by Ali Ibn Abi Al-Hazm Al-qarshi Al-Dimashqi (Ibn Al-Nafis), (circa 1288 AD.) The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Rabat, Morocco 1988. 14. Wafai, M. Z., and Kal’ Aji, M. R.: (Editors) Al-Kafi Fi Al-Kuhl, written by Khalifa Ibn Abi al-Mahasen Al-Halabi, (circa 1256 AD.) The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Rabat, Morocco 1990. 15. Kal’ Aji, M. R. and Wafai, M. Z.: (Editors) Al-Murshed Fi Al-Kuhl, written by Mohammad ibn Qassoum Ibn Aslam Al-Ghafiqi, (circa 1011 AD.), King abdulaziz City for science and technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 1990. 16. Kal’ Aji, M. R. and Wafai, M. Z.: (Editors) Al-Basar Wa Al-Basirah, written by Thabet Ibn Qorrah Al-Harrani, (circa 886 AD.), Obaikan publishing house, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 1991. 17. Kal’ Aji, M. R. and Wafai, M. Z.: (Editors) Al-Muntakhab Fi Ilm Al-Ayn, written by Ammar ibn Ali Al-Mawsili, (circa 1012 AD.) Obaikan publishing house, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 1991. 18. Saqr, M., Wafai, M. Z., and Kal’ Aji, M. R.: (Editors) (Tashrih Al_Ayn) Anatomy of The Eye and treatment of its diseases, written by Ali Ibn Ibrahim Ibn Bakhtyashou Al-Kafartabi, (circa 1067 AD.), Obaikan publishing house, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 1991. 19. Wafai, M. Z., Nasr, A. M.: (Editors) Eye Diseases, Written by Cornelius Van Dyke (D. 1895), Dar Al-Nafaes, Beirut, Lebanon 1992. 20. Wafai, M. Z., and Kal’ Aji, M. R.: (Editors) Kashf Al-Rayen Fi Ahwal Al-Ayen, written by Ibn Al-Akfani, (circa 1348 AD.), King Faysel Center for research and Islamic studies, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 1993. 21. Wafai, M. Z.: (Editor), The Arabian Ophthalmologists written by Julius Hirschberg (D 1925) AD.), translated into English by: Blodi, F. C., Rademakr, W. J., Rademaker, G, and Wildman K. F., King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1993. 22. Wafai, M. Z., and Kal’ Aji, M. R.: (Editors) Eye Diseases and its treatment, written by Ibn Sina (Avicena), (circa 1037 AD.), Dar Al-Nafaes, Beirut, Lebanon, 1995. 23. Wafai, M. Z., and Kal’ Aji, M. R.: (Editors) Al-Kihalah Fi Kitab Kamel Al-Sinaa Al-Tubbeyah (The Royal Book), written by Ali Ibn Abbas Al-Ahwazi, Ministry of cultural Affairs in Damascus, Syria 1997. 24. Wafai, M. Z., and Kal’ Aji, M. R.: (Editors) written by Ahmad Ibn Mohammad Al-Tabary, Al-Furqan Foundation for Islamic Hiratage, Wimbeldon, England, 1998 25. Wafai, M. Z., and Kal’ Aji, M. R.: (Editors) Natiget Al-Fikar Fi Ilaj Amrad Al-Basar, Written by Abi Al-Abbas Ahmad Ibn Othman Al-Qaysi, Al-Furqan Foundation for Islamic Hiratage, Wimbeldon, England, 1998 26. Wafai, M. Z.: Ophthalmology in Ancient Egypt, MEJO, Vol. 1, No. 1, p. 7, May 1993. 27. Wafai, M. Z.: Ophthalmology in Ancient India, MEJO, Vol. 1, No. 2, p. 4, August 1993. 28. Wafai, M. Z., Senft, S., M. D.: Crytherapy for Retinoblastoma, MEJO, Vol. 1, No. 2, p. 35, August 1993. 29. Wafai, M. Z.: Ophthalmology in Ancient China, MEJO, Vol. 2, No. 1, p. 4, April 1994. 30. Wafai, M. Z.: Ophthalmology in Ancient Babylonia, MEJO, Vol. 2, No. 2, p. 71, August 1994. 31. Wafai, M. Z.: Ophthalmology in Ancient Greece I, MEJO, Vol. 2, No. 3, p. 135, December 1994. 32. Wafai, M. Z.: Ophthalmology in Ancient Greece II, MEJO, Vol. 3, No. 1, p. 4, April 1995. 33. Wafai, M. Z.: Ophthalmology in Ancient Greece III, MEJO, Vol. 3, No. 2, p. 74, August 1995. 34. Wafai, M. Z.: Ophthalmologist of the Medieval World, "www.MuslimHeritage.com/ophthalmologists", 2015. 35. Wafai, M. Z.: "Contribution of Arab and Muslim Oculists to Ophthalmology", Dar-Alnafaes, Beirut, Lebanon, 2016 36. M. A. Ismail, M. Z. Wafai: "Contributions of Arab and Muslim Oculists to Ophthalmology", Journal of the Birtish Islamic Medical Association, Vol 2 - No 1, Page 25-27, Aug-2019, www.jbima.com
1. Ocular Manifestations in Thyrotoxicosis. Metropolitan Hospital Staff Meeting, Detroit, Michigan, 1976. 2. Hypophysectomy, A Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy, Retina Society Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, California, November 4, 1977. 3. Ocular Manifestations and Complications of Diabetes Mellitus, University of Benghazi, Libya, April 1978. 4. Ocular Manifestations and Complications of Diabetes Mellitus Vitrectomy in Management of Diabetic Retinopathy Hypophysectomy in Management of Diabetic Retinopathy Classifications of Diabetic Retinopathy Ocular Manifestations in Real Failure and Kidney Transplant Seminar held at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, June 1978. 5. Ocular Manifestations and Complications of Diabetes Mellitus Vitrectomy in Management of Diabetic Retinopathy Laser Photocoagulation for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Hypophysectomy, Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Seminar Held at the King Hussein Medical Center, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan, July 1978. 6. Pituitary Ablation in Management of Florid Diabetic Retinopathy. Annual Meeting of the Association of the American Arab University Graduates (AAUG), October 1978. 7. Lecture series given in Seminar, Al-Fateh University, Tripoli, Lybia, April 1978. Ocular Manifestations and Complications of Renal Diseases and Kidney Transplantation Management of Diabetic Retinopathy Vitrectomy Management of Diabetic Retinopathy Laser Photocoagulation: Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy 8. Classification and management of Ocular Complications of Diabetes, Eye Hospital, Al-Sulaibikhat Hospital, Kuwait, April 1979. 9. Panel Discussion Renal Disease and Diabetes Mellitus. Symposium, Joslin Diabetes Foundation, October 1979. 10. Elevated Intra ocular Pressure in Hemodialysis Patients, New England Ophthalmological Society and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Alumni Meting, Boston, June 1979. 11. Panel Discussion, Harvard and Joslin Course, Diabetes Mellitus for the Practicing Physicians. 12. Pituitary Ablation for Management of Diabetic Retinopathy. Joslin Clinic Seminar, February 1980. 13. Optic Disc Edema in Juvenile-Onset Diabetes Mellitus. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, May 1980. 14. Optic Disc Edema in Juvenile-Onset Diabetes Mellitus. Medical Section, Association of the American Arab University Graduates Annual Meeting, October 1980. 15. Vitrectomy in Renal Failure Patients. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Sarasota, Florida, May 1982. 16. Vitrectomy in Renal Failure Patients. New England Ophthalmological Society and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Alumni Meting, Boston, 1982. 17. Vitrectomy in Renal Failure Patients. Ahmedabad Academy of Ophthalmology, Ahmedabad, India, September 1982. 18. Diabetic Retinopathy, Can We Prevent Its Progression? Ahmedabad Academy of Ophthalmology, Ahmedabad, India, September 1982. 19. Pituitary Ablation for Florid Diabetic Retinopathy. International Congress of Ophthalmological, San Francisco, November 1982. 20. Chavis, P. S., Wafai, M. Z., Amro, S., Tabbara, K. T.: Uveitis in the Middle East, King Khaled Eye Hospital Symposium, International Congress of Ophthalmology, Singapore, March 22, 1990, 13:30-13:40. 21. Chavis, P. S., Wafai, M. Z., Amro, S., Tabbara, K. T.: Peripheral, Posterior and Pan Uveitis in the Middle East, Pan African Ophthalmology Meeting, Casablanca, Morocco, 20 December 1990. 2:40-2:50. 22. Wafai, M. Z., Contributions of Muslim and Arab Oculists to Ophthalmology (Scientific Exhibit). American Academy of Ophthalmology, New Orleans, 1989. 23. Wafai, M. Z., Ophthalmic Surgical Instruments of Al-Zahrawi (Scientific Exhibit). American Academy of Ophthalmology, Atlanta, 1990. 24. Wafai, M. Z., The Transfer of Science to Latin Europe, (Scientific Exhibit). American Academy of Ophthalmology, Los Angeles, California, 1991. 25. Chavis, P. S., Wafai, M. Z., Amro, S., Tabbara, K. T.: Ocular Differentiation Between Retinal Vasculitis of Eale’s and Behcet’s Diseases. (Scientific Poster) American Academy of Ophthalmology, Los Angeles, California, 1991. 26. Wafai, M. Z., Seminar on Muslim and Arabian Ophthalmology Oxford Center for Islamic Studies and Welcome Unit for the History of Medicine, Oxford, UK, April 2, 1992. 27. Senft, S. H., Wafai, M. Z., Murphree, A. L.: Hereditary Retinoblastoma in Premature Identical Twins, VIth International Retinoblastoma Symposium, Siena, Italy, June 1-7, 1992. 28. Pamela S. Chavis, M.D., Khalid Tabbara, M. D., Ali Al-Rajhi, M. D., Wafai, M. Z.: Uveitis During Pregnancy and Post Partum. (Scientific Poster #214) American Academy of Ophthalmology, Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, November 8-12, 1992. 29. Wafai, M. Z.: Evolution of Ophthalmology Throughout History. (Instruction Course #560) American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting Dallas, Texas, November 8-12, 1992. 30. Wafai, M. Z.: Evolution of Ophthalmology Throughout History. (Instruction Course #103) American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting Chicago, Illinois, November 14-18, 1993. 31. Wafai, M. Z.: Evolution of Ophthalmology Throughout History. (Instruction Course #554) American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting San Francisco, California, October 30 - November 3, 1994. 32. Emad B. Abboud, M. D., Wafai, M. Z.: Results of Retinal Detachment – Mrafan’s Syndrome. (Scientific Poster #115) American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting Chicago, Illinois, November 14-18, 1993. 33. Chavis P. S., Tabbara K. F., Al-Rajhi, Wafai, M. Z.: Behcet’s Disease and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome During Pregnancy and Post Partum, XXVIIIth International Congress of Ophthalmology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June 26-30, 1994. 34. Chavis P. S., Tabbara K. F., Al-Rajhi, Wafai, M. Z.: A Poster: Uveitis During Pregnancy and Post Partum, XXVIIIth International Congress of Ophthalmology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, June 26-30, 1994. 35. Wafai, M. Z.: New Trend in the Management of Eye Diseases in Islamic Ophthalmic Heritage. Gulf University, Bahrain, February 9, 1995. 36. Wafai, M. Z., Khalifah Ibn Abi Al-Mahasin Al-Halabi, Historical Discoveries in his Book on Optics. Jumaa Al-Majed Instruction for Islamic Culture and Heritage. March 14, 1994. 37. Wafai, M. Z., Emad B. Abboud, M. D.: Results of Retinal Detachment in Marfan’s Syndrome of the Syrian Ophthalmological Society, Damascus, Syria, April 18, 1995. 38. Wafai, M. Z.: New Trends in the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy, the Annual Symposium of Cultural Affairs, Damascus, Syria, April 18, 1995. 39. Wafai, M. Z.: Overview of Books on Ophthalmology in the Islamic Literature, the ministry of Cultural Affairs, Damascus, Syria, April 18, 1995 40. Wafai, M. Z.: Old Arabian Books on Ophthalmology and Surgical Instruments (Scientific Exhibit), 34th International Congress for the History of Medicine, Glasgow, September 4-8, 1994. 41. Wafai, M. Z. and Kal’ Aji, M. R. (Editors): Ophthalmology in (Liber Royalensis) the Royal Book by Ali Ibn Abbas Al-Ahwazi, (circa 994 AD.). The Ministry of Cultural Affairs Press, Damascus, Syria, 1995. 42. Wafai, M. Z.: Oculists and Ophthalmologists in Muslim Civilization, presented at International Congress of Medicine Heritage, Fez-Morocco, October-2016. 43. Wafai, M. Z.: A Comprehensive Review of a Rare Manuscript on Ophthalmology in (Yenijami #924), The 8th International Congress of Islamic Medical Heritage and Ethics, Istanbul-Turkey, Nov-2019.