For three days in November 2025, Brunei hosted the 7th ASEAN Ophthalmology Congress, welcoming eye care professionals from across the region and beyond. It was the first time Brunei had hosted a meeting of this scale in ophthalmology, and it brought together clinicians, researchers, and allied health professionals with a wide range of experience and perspectives.

The congress ran alongside several meetings, including the Singapore–Malaysia Joint Meeting in Ophthalmology, Brunei’s first Ophthalmic Allied Health Professionals Symposium, and the Indo-China Ocular Inflammation Study Group (ICOISG). Hosting the ICOISG was particularly significant, with many participants travelling from the United States and other parts of the world, reflecting growing international engagement with the region.

In my role as President of the Brunei Ophthalmology Society, I took part in hosting the congress and speaking across several sessions, engaging directly with colleagues from the region and further afield. It was an opportunity to represent local ophthalmology while facilitating open discussion on shared clinical challenges.

The programme focused on practical issues facing eye care services, including access to care, preventable blindness, and workforce development. These are challenges common across ASEAN, and the discussions highlighted the value of coordinated approaches and shared learning.

At the Opening Ceremony, the Minister of Health spoke about the expanding role of artificial intelligence in eye care, particularly in screening and referral systems. The emphasis was on how these tools can improve efficiency and access, while allowing clinicians to focus on patients who need timely intervention.

Behind the scenes, the congress required months of planning and coordination, supported by a strong and committed organising team. The meeting was led by Dr Helena Hurairah, President of the ASEAN Ophthalmology Society, whose oversight and experience were central to bringing the congress together. The collective effort of the organising committee, volunteers, speakers, and partners made it possible to deliver a meeting that was well run, relevant, and useful for participants.

More information is available at aos2025.org