The effects of a 13-year war on the reality of ophthalmology services and education in Syria.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-11-2025

Publication Title

AJO international

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of the Syrian conflict on ophthalmology services, residency training, and clinical infrastructure, and to identify areas requiring urgent reform in the post-conflict healthcare reconstruction period.

DESIGN: A mixed-methods study combining a comprehensive scoping review with two national cross-sectional surveys of ophthalmology residents and public ophthalmology hospitals across Syria.

METHODS: A scoping review of English-language ophthalmology-related literature concerning Syria (1979-2025) was conducted using five major databases and grey literature. Two structured surveys were administered: one targeting ophthalmology residents to assess training quality and educational structure, and another targeting public hospitals to evaluate equipment, service delivery, and patient volume. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyze survey data.

RESULTS: The scoping review included 49 studies categorized into five themes: war-related ocular trauma, disease prevalence, refugee eye health, ophthalmology education, and public awareness. The residency survey (

CONCLUSION: Ophthalmology services and education in Syria have been severely affected by conflict-related damage, infrastructure collapse, and displacement. This study underscores the urgent need for national reconstruction efforts focused on standardizing residency curricula, upgrading hospital infrastructure, and ensuring equitable access to advanced ophthalmic care. International partnerships, targeted investments, and sustainable reform strategies will be critical in rebuilding Syria's ophthalmic healthcare and education system.

Volume

2

Issue

4

First Page

100180

DOI

10.1016/j.ajoint.2025.100180

ISSN

2950-2535

PubMed ID

41717308

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