With great sorrow and sadness, we announce the passing of Professor Muhammad Zafer Wafai to the most merciful, on Saturday, 29 June 2024, in Houston Texas (USA), May God have mercy on him and grant him a spacious paradise.
Professor Muhammed Zafer Wafai was a son of Aleppo, and one of the most famous ophthalmologists in the world.
- He was born in the city of Aleppo (Syria) in 1939.
- He obtained a high school qualification from Hanano High School, Scientist Branch in 1960.
- He joined the University of Damascus and obtained a medical degree in 1967.
- In 1969, he travelled to the USA armed with his faith in God and his endless ambition, and he worked in a number of hospitals in the state of Michigan. He moved through a number of positions until in 1977 he became a lecturer at Harvard University – Boston, School of Medicine – Department of Retina.
- In 1983, he moved to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to establish and head the Department of Retinal and Laser Surgery at King Khalid Ophthalmology Specialist hospital in the capital, Riyadh. In addition, he was studying at the College of Medicine at King Saud Government University in Riyadh.
- In 1996, he moved to the city of Damascus to establish the Al-Wafai Ophthalmology Centre, and worked on its management until the war broke out, when he moved to the United States of America with his family to complete the remainder of his life there.
- In addition to the field of clinical medicine, he was interested in the field of the history of medicine and the contribution of Muslim scholars to medical progress.
- He presented fourteen books in this field, in addition to many research papers that he presented in scientific forums and conferences.
- Professor Wafai was also one of the first doctors in the world to treat the retina of diabetic patients with laser, as it is known that their retina is affected after a period of time, which may lead to total blindness, so he came to stop this affliction and prolong the period during which diabetic patients enjoy vision. The light of the sun, and he did this out of respect for his mother’s eyes, which were damaged by diabetes.
- He won the American Academy of Ophthalmology Award of Merit in 1994.
- He also won the State Appreciation Award from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, in partnership with Dr. Muhammad Rawas Qalaji, in 2001.
- Professor Wafaei is a member of the editorial board of:
– Middle East Journal of Ophthalmology from 1992 – 1996. Saudi Medical Journal – Riyadh since 1995
– Al-Kahal Magazine – Damascus since its founding. - This is in addition to his membership in many scientific
societies :
– Fellow of the American College of Surgeons since 1975.
– Fellow of the International College of Surgeons since 1976.
– Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists England 1990.
– Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology since 1976. - Fellow of the American OphthalmologicalAssociation since 1976.
– Corresponding member of Ophthalmology Foundation since 1974.
– An active member of the Society for Scientific Research for the Prevention of Blindness since
1974.
– An active member of the American Organization for Scientific Research in Vision and Ophthalmology since 1975.
– Corresponding member of the American Society for Intraocular Lens Implantation since 1975.
– Active member of the International Society for the History of Medicine since 1982.
– Member of the Saudi Ophthalmology Society since 1988.
Professor Wafai left a son; Ayman, and two daughters; Maysa, and Syreen.
May God have mercy on Professor Muhammad Zafer Wafai, and may he rest in peace.
