Dear Friends and Colleagues, from all around the world,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this historic and 9th Asia Pacific Ophthalmic Trauma Society (APOTS) International Conference to be held on Nov 12-14th 2026 at Kathmandu, Nepal.

This pivotal event organized by our local and prestigious partners, the Nepal Ophthalmological Society (NOS) shall be addressing the ever increasing and urgent issue of treatable, preventable and needless blindness from injuries to the eyes, periorbital region and the face.

Despite progress with humanity, we're frequently reminded of the devastating impact of eye trauma – millions blinded or visually impaired, often in their prime, which is quite shameful in the modern world. Such trauma happens every day from accidental and intentional trauma at our homes, workplaces, streets, sports arenas and sadly human-created conflict zones within and at the borders between countries.

The ancient epic Mahabaratha alludes to the blindness of King Dhritarashtra & his wife Gandhari precluding their ability see the world as it was and the evil done by their progenies, resulting in destruction of nature and humanity.

The Asia Pacific region, both the ophthalmologists and the society, bears a significant burden of Ophthalmic Trauma, encompassing Globe and Adnexal injuries. However, there’s hope that together, both within the ophthalmic and allied health partners of the Asia Pacific, and with our Global partners as a Global Ophthalmic Trauma Alliance, we can drive change. Through cutting-edge research, innovative treatments, and community outreach, we're already and should continue to make a greater global impact. Let's harness our collective expertise to advance prevention strategies, develop and spread knowledge of more effective treatments, enhance emergency response including Damage Control Ophthalmology and finally empower communities, institutions and governments to do more.

May this conference spark collaborations, ignite innovation, and chart a course towards a future where eye injuries no longer threaten sight, avoid visual disability thereby making the world a better place, when there are constant forces and powers that appear to be tearing them apart.

See you all at the top of the world destination, the gateway to the Himalayas, Kathmandu.

Ward Regards
Adj Assoc Prof Gangadhara Sundar
President, APOTS
Orbit & Oculofacial Surgery, Ophthalmic Trauma
Dept of Ophthalmology
National University Hospital, National University of Singapore
Singapore