EYE TRAUMA 2026: ASOT ANNUAL MEETING & SKILLS TRANSFER LAB
April 24-26, 2026 | Houston Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation and Education (MITIE) | Houston, TX
Keynote Speakers
Christopher Rapuano, MD, AAO President
Christopher J. Rapuano, MD, is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in corneal diseases and refractive surgery, and is the current President of AAO. He serves as Chief of the Cornea Service at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia and is a Professor of Ophthalmology at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University.
Dr. Rapuano’s clinical and research interests include corneal transplantation, keratoconus, corneal dystrophies, recurrent corneal erosions, and excimer laser–based refractive and therapeutic procedures. He has authored more than 250 peer‑reviewed scientific articles, numerous book chapters, and several textbooks, including The Wills Eye Manual, one of the most widely used references in ophthalmology worldwide.
A leader in ophthalmic education, Dr. Rapuano has held multiple senior leadership roles within the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), including serving on its Board of Trustees and as Senior Secretary for Clinical Education. His contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous honors from the AAO, and he has been named repeatedly among America’s Top Doctors and America’s Best Eye Doctors.
Dr. Rapuano received his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, completed his ophthalmology residency at Wills Eye Hospital, and pursued fellowship training at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He is board‑certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and continues to play a pivotal role in advancing clinical care, education, and innovation in ophthalmology.
2026 La Piana Mazzoli Awardee
Colonel Igor Khramov, Chief Ophthalmologist of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Colonel Igor Khramov is the Chief Ophthalmologist of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a senior consultant in military ophthalmology at the National Military Medical Clinical Center “Main Military Clinical Hospital” in Kyiv.
A leading authority on combat ocular trauma, Colonel Khramov has played a central role in organizing, modernizing, and delivering ophthalmic care for wounded service members throughout Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine. His work focuses on the diagnosis and surgical management of blast‑related eye injuries, penetrating globe trauma, ocular burns, and complex injuries of the ocular adnexa, as well as the long‑term preservation of visual function in combat casualties.
Colonel Khramov is an author and co‑author of peer‑reviewed scientific publications examining medical evacuation systems, treatment algorithms, and outcome prediction in combat eye injuries, drawing on frontline and tertiary‑care experience during the defense of Kyiv and subsequent military operations.
In addition to his clinical and research leadership, Colonel Khramov represents Ukraine internationally, including presenting on specialized ophthalmic care in wartime conditions at global military medicine and ophthalmology forums such as the Military Vision Symposium hosted by Harvard Medical School and Mass Eye and Ear.
He is also actively involved in national initiatives supporting visual rehabilitation and social reintegration of veterans with vision loss, advising Ukraine’s Ministry for Veterans Affairs on accessibility, mobility, and long‑term care strategies for blinded and visually impaired service members.
Colonel Khramov’s work exemplifies the integration of clinical excellence, military leadership, and humanitarian commitment in the preservation of sight during modern warfare.
2026 La Piana Mazzoli Awardee
Major Andrii Kovalov, Chief Ophthalmologist of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Major Andrii Kovalov, MD, is a military ophthalmologist serving with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where he specializes in the diagnosis, surgical management, and rehabilitation of combat‑related eye injuries. In his dual role as physician and officer, he provides advanced ophthalmic care to wounded service members and civilians affected by modern warfare.
Dr. Kovalov’s clinical focus includes blast‑related ocular trauma, penetrating eye injuries, facial burns involving the ocular surface, and complex anterior and posterior segment reconstruction. Working in high‑acuity and resource‑constrained environments, he has contributed to the rapid evolution of battlefield ophthalmology and multidisciplinary trauma care.
As a commissioned officer, Major Kovalov supports the development of military medical protocols for eye protection, triage, and evacuation, and collaborates closely with trauma surgeons, maxillofacial specialists, and rehabilitation teams. He is also involved in training military medics and physicians in the early recognition and management of vision‑threatening injuries.
Major Kovalov represents the dedication of Ukraine’s military medical corps—combining clinical excellence, leadership, and resilience while preserving sight and improving quality of life for those injured in defense of their country.
2026 Ferenc Kuhn Awardee
Arne Viestenz, MD, President, International Society of Ocular Trauma
Prof. Dr. med. Arne Viestenz is an accomplished ophthalmologist with 26 years of experience. He is currently the Clinic Director at the Department of Ophthalmology of the University Hospital Halle (Saale) in Germany. With an extensive education background, including studying human medicine at prestigious institutions such as the University of Leipzig and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Dr. Viestenz has obtained a wealth of knowledge and expertise in his field.
Throughout his career, Dr. Viestenz has made significant contributions to the field of ophthalmology. He has published over 200 scientific papers, focusing on various areas such as diabetic eye diseases, corneal diseases, and glaucoma treatment. These publications highlight his dedication to advancing research and finding innovative treatments for his patients.
In addition to his work as a clinician and researcher, Dr. Viestenz is actively involved in professional organizations and societies. He is the President of the International Society of Ocular Trauma and serves as the Speaker of the German Ophthalmological Society in ophthalmotraumatology.
With his wealth of experience, extensive research contributions, and dedication to his field, Prof. Dr. med. Arne Viestenz is considered a highly respected and skilled ophthalmologist. His expertise and innovative approach to treatment make him a valuable asset to the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital Halle (Saale).
Navy Veteran Lonnie Bedwell – Blind Extreme Sportsman, Advocate
Lonnie Bedwell, a blind extreme-sports athlete and National Geographic 2015 Adventurer of the Year, is a testament to resilience, grit, and the pursuit of pushing boundaries. He is now on the verge of completing one of the world’s most elite adventure challenges — the Explorer’s Grand Slam, which requires reaching both the North and South Poles and summiting the highest peak on each of the seven continents. Lonnie has now climbed all seven summits — Kilimanjaro (Africa), Aconcagua (South America), Denali (North America), Everest (Asia), Mt. Vinson (Antarctica), Mt. Elbrus (Europe), and Carstensz Pyramid (Oceania) — the latter two completed in 2025. With only the North Pole remaining, Lonnie stands closer than ever to achieving this remarkable global feat.
A former Navy Petty Officer, Bedwell’s life changed in 1997 after a hunting accident instantly took his sight. Despite this, he raised three daughters, teaching them to hunt, fish, and, incredibly, to drive. After his daughters graduated, Bedwell turned his attention to challenging himself and soon became one of the world’s most recognized blind extreme-sports athletes.
When told he’d need to master 1,000 kayak rolls to conquer the Grand Canyon, Bedwell rolled his donated kayak 1,500 times in his farm pond. That determination laid the foundation for the historic journey that followed.
Bedwell has since tackled some of the world’s most challenging whitewater, achieving the first blind descents of Africa’s legendary Zambezi River’s Batoka Gorge and West Virginia’s world-renowned Gauley River. Before May 2023, he was best known for his historic first blind descent of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 2013 with Team River Runner — a journey that earned him his Adventurer of the Year nomination and cemented his legacy in adaptive adventure.
These feats showcase his unwavering dedication to teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving under pressure. He also rock climbs and is an avid downhill skier when he has time away from construction work in his hometown of Dugger, Indiana.
Lonnie’s mission is clear: to inspire others to live boldly and embrace life with confidence. He is a passionate advocate for children and veterans with disabilities, demonstrating that blindness does not define him or limit his capacity to help others thrive. His inspiring story has led to appearances on The Today Show, Steve Harvey, and Breaking Bobby Bones, and he has been featured in the documentary films Feel of Vision, Dreamline Blind, and Long River Home, as well as numerous publications.
Faculty
Ore-Ofe Adesina, MD
Rupesh Agrawal, MD
Zeynep Aktas, MD
Asim Ali, MD, FRCSC
Grayson W Armstrong MD, MPH
James Auren, MD
Touka Banaee, MD
Sushank A. Bhalerao, MD
Purendra Bhasin, MD
Richard Blanch, MD, PhD, FRCOphth
Eileen Bowden, MD
Maria Alejandra Charria, MD
Imtiaz Chaudry, MD, PhD
Yewlin Chee, MD
Amy Coburn, MD
Ian Conner, MD
Maricruz Contreras, MD
Craig N. Czyz, DO
Jose Dalma-Weiszhausz, MD
Garvin Davis, MD
Ferenc Kuhn, MD, PhD
Gary LeGault, MD
Ali Mahdavi-Fard, MD
Dale Fajardo, EdD, MBA
Morgan Fredell, MD
Mary Gonzalez, MD
Seanna Grob, MD
Ashok K. Grover, MD
Bartlett Hayes, MD
Yuntao Hu, MD
Guy Hunter, FRCOphth
Mona Hussein, MD
Dan Ignazewski, MD
Yunia Iriwati, MD, PhD
Ahmad Kheirkhah, MD
Amin Kherani, MD
Won I. Kim, MD
David Kohn, MD
Kirthi Koka, MD
Derek Mai, MD
Juan Carlos Martinez Camarillo, MD
Kanwal Matharu, MD
Sandra Montezuma, MD
Felipe Morera, MD
S. Natarajan, MD
Hossein Nazari, MD, PhD
Silvia Orengo-Nania, MD
Rahul Pandit, MD
Roma Patel, MD
Boonkit Purt, MD
Mary Qui, MD
Tonia Rex, PhD
Christopher Riemann, MD
Jose Romero, MD
Tomas Rybertt, MD
Ankoor Shah, MD
Michael Snyder, MD
Mohammad Soleimani MD, FICO
Charles Soparkar, MD, PhD
Prem Subramanian, MD, PhD
Misha Syed, MD
Jennifer Tong-Young Yu, MD, PhD
Sami Udaywat, MD
Anja Viestenz, MD
Matthew Wade, MD
Heuy-Ching H Wang CIV, USN, NAMRU
Marguerite Weinert MD
Alan Wenger, MD
Lloyd Williams, MD, PhD
Jules Winokour, MD
Carlos A. Wong Morales, MD
Fasika Woreta, MD, MPH
Hua Yan, MD, PhD
Michael Yen, MD
Jithin Yohannan, MD
James Zhao, MD
Research Committee
Touka Banaee, MD
Associate Professor
University of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, Texas
Sushank Ashok Bhalerao, MD
Consultant
Shantilal Shanghvi Cornea Institute (SSCI), Kode Venkatadri Chowdary (KVC) campus, LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI)
Tadigadapa, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India
Mohammad Dastjerdi, MD
Associate Professor
Rutgers Health, New Jersey Medical School
Newark, New Jersey
Gary Legault, MD
Director, Virtual Medical Director
Uniformed Services University
San Antonio Military Medical Center, Texas
Fatma Shakarchi, MD, MSc
Firdous Eye Hospital
Baghdad, Iraq
Mohammad Soleimani, MD
Professor
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC
David Fleischman, MD, MS, FACS
Sterling A. Barrett Distinguished Associate Professor
Interim Chair, Department of Ophthalmology
Director, Glaucoma Fellowship
Director, Ocular Trauma
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill