After completing my specialist training, I worked as a senior physician at the University Hospital Zurich. I later deepened my surgical skills at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto.
Ophthalmologists’ Centre Aarau / Gutblick
I worked for several years as the medical director and lead surgeon at the Ophthalmologists’ Centre Aarau (AZA). I had the privilege of working with a fantastic team of medical assistants, orthoptists, and physicians, and benefited from the trust and experience of the medical director Dr. Darius Madjdpour.
This collaboration within a large team enabled me to perform numerous eye surgeries and to grow both professionally and personally. I was also able to learn a great deal in the fields of glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology and strabology from Prof. Dr. Hanspeter E. Killer (former chief physician at the Cantonal Hospital Aarau).
As head physician for pediatric ophthalmology and orthoptics, I worked with a team of 10 excellent orthoptists at over 10 locations across German-speaking Switzerland.
Every week, we met online to share knowledge and discuss challenging cases. I ran a consultation for pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus in Aarau, Zurich, Bern, and St. Gallen.
India, Nepal and East Timor
At the end of my specialist training, I traveled to Nepal and India to learn the technique known as Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS).
I then spent six months living in East Timor (Timor-Leste), working at the National Hospital in the capital Dili as part of the East Timor Eye Program. This small country is located on a stunningly beautiful island that has undergone a long and difficult path to independence. The warmth and helpfulness of the people are overwhelming.
University Hospital Zurich
At the eye clinic of the university hospital in my hometown Zurich, I completed the main part of my core training in conservative ophthalmology.
Challenging weekend shifts in a crowded emergency department taught me to stay calm under pressure.
After my residency, I worked as a senior physician in the department led by Prof. Dr. med. Gerth-Kahlert. She sparked my passion for pediatric ophthalmology, trained me, and paved the way for my further education in Toronto.
Eye Centre (Hospital) Zollikerberg
Since October 2024, I have been working as the lead physician at the Eye Centre of Zollikerberg Hospital. My main role is to advise patients regarding cataract surgery and to perform the operation at the hospital.
To me, cataract surgery is one of the greatest success stories of modern medicine. For millennia, the majority of elderly people lived with severe visual impairments or went completely blind. Until just a few decades ago, cataract surgery was a complex inpatient procedure with high complication rates.
Today, cataract surgery can be performed under local anesthesia in just a few minutes, and complications have become very rare. After the operation, patients go straight home, and for many, their vision is already significantly better than before, even immediately after the procedure.
At the Eye Centre Zollikerberg, I have the privilege not only to perform cataract surgeries but also to experience this success story of modern medicine anew each week with my patients.
Many patients find the procedure far simpler than they had imagined and are surprised by how much better they can see afterwards. The joy of regaining such quality of life is contagious and motivates me in my work.
SickKids Toronto
My fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto was the most important stage of my surgical ophthalmology training. There, I was trained by some of the world’s most renowned professors in pediatric ophthalmology:
Strabismus
Stephen P. Kraft, MD, FRCSC, David Smith, MD, FRCS(C)
Neuro-ophthalmology
Agnes Wong, MD, PhD, FRCS(C), Michael Wan, MD, FRCSC
Cataract, glaucoma, cornea and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)
Nasrin Najm-Tehrani, MBBCh, M. Sc., FRCS Ed(Ophth), FRCSC
Asim Ali, B. Sc., MD, FRCSC
Kamiar Mireskandari, MBChB, FRCSEd, FRCOphth, PhD
Retinoblastoma
Brenda Gallie, MD, FRCSC, CM, OOnt
Ocular Genetics
Elise Héon, MD, FRCSC
Ajoy Vincent, MBBS, MS, FRCSC
My mentors have become role models for me, both professionally and personally. I am grateful that during my training I had the chance to learn from so many different personalities, with whom I still maintain a friendship and professional exchange.
