Moroccan ophthalmologists Rachid Tahiri and Otman Sandali presented a reference book on modern cataract surgery in London over the weekend during the 44th Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS).
Published with scientific publisher Springer, the nearly 1,000-page book contains 120 chapters and contributions from about 200 experts and leading specialists from five continents.
The book, produced in collaboration with Professor Ashraf Armia, an internationally recognized expert in the field, covers the main aspects of contemporary cataract surgery, including preoperative assessment, surgical techniques, implants, complex cases, and the use of new technologies.
The ESCRS congress, held in London from Sept. 11 to 15, is bringing together nearly 16,000 eye-care professionals from around the world.
"For a book devoted to cataract surgery, it was difficult to imagine a better showcase. That is why Springer chose London, at the heart of this congress, for the book’s official launch and signing session," the two doctors told MAP on the sidelines of the event.
"The response has been exceptional. In just a few weeks, the book has already recorded around 15,000 accesses on the Springer platform," they said, adding that several Moroccan doctors had also expressed interest in the book.
"For such a highly specialized medical book, this is an extremely encouraging start," the two doctors added.
Tahiri and Sandali specialize in cataract and vitreoretinal surgery and spent more than 22 years practicing in France, including at the Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Center in Paris. Their work has also included teaching and clinical research, with more than 50 studies published in scientific journals.
After two decades in France, the two surgeons returned to Morocco and established a private clinic in Casablanca.
They said their investment benefited from MDM Invest, a public co-financing program that provides non-repayable contributions to projects to establish or expand businesses and ventures led by Moroccans living abroad.
"Morocco has a remarkable pool of doctors, surgeons, and researchers, both in the Kingdom and among Moroccans living abroad," added Tahiri and Sandali, who plan to continue their academic work through new scientific and training projects aimed at strengthening links between Moroccan medical expertise and international networks.
"We are particularly committed to this idea: showcasing Moroccan expertise while expanding international collaborations," they concluded.
MAP:15 September 2026
