Women Leaders in Ophthalmology Unite for Malaysia’s Second Forum to Champion Leadership and Innovation in Eye Care

• In celebration of International Women’s Day, the forum spotlighted the contributions of

  women in ophthalmology, driving progress and fostering gender equality in eye care.

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 February 2025 – Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, Malaysia’s ophthalmology community came together for the second Women in Ophthalmology Forum in celebration of International Women’s Day. Themed 'Empowering Women in Ophthalmology for a Brighter Future,' the forum, organised by Roche Malaysia, showcased the contributions of women in the field and reinforced the commitment to promoting gender equality in ophthalmology.

The forum brought together leading voices from the region to explore the progress made in advancing women’s leadership in ophthalmology, while underscoring the continued work needed to ensure equal opportunities in leadership, career growth, and recognition. Although women make up 25-30% of the global ophthalmology workforce, leadership positions and roles in ophthalmic surgical subspecialties remain predominantly male. Women in the field face persistent barriers, including gender bias, limited access to mentorship, and unequal opportunities for research funding1.

The panel discussion, moderated by Deepti Saraf, General Manager of Roche Malaysia, featured prominent ophthalmologists Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah, Deputy Director-General of Health (Research and Technical Support) Ministry of Health, Malaysia & Consultant Medical Retina & Uveitis, Hospital Shah Alam and Prof. Gemmy Cheung, Head and Senior Consultant of Medical Retina Services at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC).

“Achieving true equality in ophthalmology requires more than just recognition; it demands action at every level,” said Datuk Dr. Nor Fariza binti Ngah. “As leaders in the field, it’s our responsibility to challenge existing biases, create an environment that nurtures the growth of women, and ensure their full participation in all aspects of ophthalmology—from education to leadership. Only through equal representation can we drive innovation and elevate the standards of patient care.”

During the forum, panelists discussed strategies to overcome barriers limiting women’s progress in the ophthalmic workforce, with a focus on addressing gender disparities. They highlighted the importance of mentorship in empowering women to advance their careers and take on leadership roles, as well as the need to boost women’s representation in research and medical sub-specialties. The discussions centred on creating more inclusive environments and accelerating efforts to ensure women can thrive and lead in their fields.

“In ophthalmology, mentorship goes beyond guidance; it is a pivotal force for transforming the field,” said Prof. Gemmy Cheung. “By empowering women through mentorship, we not only support their personal growth but also pave the way for them to lead and shape the future of ophthalmic research and practice. This is how we ensure that innovation continues to thrive, setting the stage for the next generation of leaders in the field.”

The Women in Ophthalmology Forum is a platform envisioned to progress women’s leadership in ophthalmology," said Deepti Saraf. "By bringing together leaders in the field, we create a space to not only recognise the achievements of women in ophthalmology but also to strategise on steps for lasting change. Roche is committed to leading innovation in eye care and empowering women in ophthalmology, ensuring we address the workforce gap and fostering the growth of future specialists.

The panel session marked the launch of the NextGen Retina Forum, a platform specically designed for retina specialists under the age of 40. The forum aims to facilitate knowledge sharing between experienced specialists and emerging ophthalmologists, as well as encourage innovation in retinal care through new ideas, technologies, and research. It also seeks to foster collaboration among young retina specialists, allowing them to share insights and best practices.

As International Women’s Day 2025 serves as a catalyst for accelerating gender equality, the forum marked a pivotal moment for the ophthalmology community to reect on both the progress made and the road ahead. The discussions reafrmed the need for equal opportunities for women, amplifying their voices and recognising their leadership.

About Roche

Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, as well as growing capabilities in the area of data-driven medical insights help Roche deliver truly personalised healthcare. Roche is working with partners across the healthcare sector to provide the best care for each person.

Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. In recent years, Roche has invested in genomic profiling and real-world data partnerships and has become an industry-leading partner for medical Insights.

Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the twelfth consecutive year, Roche has been recognised as one of the most sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2020 employed more than 100,000 people worldwide. In 2020, Roche invested CHF 12.2 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 58.3 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit

Roche has been present in Malaysia since 1972, when the sales and distribution of products was managed by a third party distributor. Since then, Roche has established its operations to include Roche (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., the pharmaceutical business; Roche Diagnostics (M) Sdn. Bhd., the diagnostics business and Roche Services (Asia Pacific) Sdn. Bhd. (also referred to as Roche Services & Solutions APAC). With a total staff strength of over 1,200, Roche has grown into one of the leading healthcare companies in Malaysia that provides holistic healthcare solutions to healthcare practitioners and patients. For more information, please visit

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