Medical Team Melles Cornea Clinic
![](http://niios.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/New3-NIIOS-by_Marinke_Davelaar-8261166-2_def-263x350.jpg)
![NIIOS MHR](https://www.niios.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-team-mhr.png)
Gerrit Melles, MD, PhD
Corneal Surgeon BIG 49032942501 - Founder of NIIOS
ENG: Gerrit Melles is a cornea specialist and founder of the Netherlands Institute for Innovative Ocular Surgery (NIIOS), the Melles Cornea Clinic Rotterdam, and Amnitrans EyeBank Rotterdam. His clinical work focuses on the management of corneal disorders and he is actively involved in research and development of ophthalmic surgical techniques and has invented several advanced lamellar keratoplasty techniques among others Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and Bowman layer transplantation. Furthermore, he has developed instruments and medical devices required for the invented techniques, pioneered the use of staining solutions such as VisionBlue®, MembraneBlue® for ophthalmic surgeries and developed the Surgicube® for performing ophthalmic surgeries under sterile conditions in any clinical setting.
Dr Melles has received several awards in recognition of his contribution to ophthalmology. Among others, Dr Melles is the 2017 Helen Keller Award Laureate, and received the 2015 Dastgheib Pioneer Award in Ocular Innovation at the Duke University Eye Center, and an American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award in 2009 and 2005.
Dr Melles has authored almost 300 peer-reviewed scientific publications and book chapters.
NL: Dr. Gerrit Melles is corneaspecialist en oprichter van het NIIOS, de Melles Hoornvlieskliniek en Amnitrans EyeBank. Hij studeerde Geneeskunde in Leiden en behaalde zijn specialisatie Oogheelkunde in Nijmegen. Zijn promotieonderzoek verrichtte hij zowel in het Sharp Cabrillo Hospital, San Diego, VS, als aan de Universiteit van Nijmegen. Zijn klinische werkzaamheden focussen op hoornvliesaandoeningen en hij is baanbrekend in onderzoek en ontwikkeling van oogheelkundige chirurgische technieken (zoals DMEK). Hij ontwikkelde medische instrumenten en apparatuur en was pionier in het vereenvoudigen van oogoperaties door middel van kleuroplossingen. Ook is hij de uitvinder van de Surgicube®, een mobiele steriele operatiekamer. Hij heeft meerdere prijzen ontvangen voor zijn bijdragen aan de oogheelkunde. In 2017 kreeg hij nog de Helen Keller Award in de VS, in 2019 de Tilanusmedaille. Dr. Melles heeft meer dan 300 wetenschappelijke publicaties op zijn naam. Zijn missie is om minimaal invasief en met behoud van de natuurlijke anatomie oogheelkundige problemen te lijf te gaan.
![](http://niios.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/New-8261399-263x350.jpg)
![NIIOS MHR](https://www.niios.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-team-mhr.png)
Lydia van der Star, BOptom
Optometrist - OR assistant - Research Scientist
ENG: Lydia van der Star joined NIIOS as an optometrist in 2019. She has a background in general optometry, refractive laser, and cataract surgery with keen interest for the cornea and is committed to improve eye care in general. During her studies she was involved in several international eye health care projects. Her current working profile at the NIIOS consist of optometric examinations and assisting during UV-crosslinking, lamellar keratoplasty and Bowman layer transplantations at the Melles Cornea Clinic. Her current research focuses on Bowman layer transplantation for advanced keratoconus and on the management of endothelial corneal disorders.
NL: Lydia van der Star trad in 2019 in dienst bij NIIOS als optometrist. Ze heeft achtergrond in algemene optometrie, refractieve laser en cataractchirurgie met een grote interesse voor hoornvlies en ze zet zich in om de oogzorg in het algemeen te verbeteren. Tijdens haar studie was ze betrokken bij verschillende internationale oogzorgprojecten. Haar huidige werkprofiel bij NIIOS bestaat uit optometrische onderzoeken, assisteren bij UV-crosslinking, lamellaire keratoplastiek en Bowman layer transplantaties in de Melles Cornea Clinic. Haar huidige onderzoek richt zich op Bowman layer transplantatie voor gevorderde keratoconus en op de behandeling van endotheelaandoeningen.
![](http://niios.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Achraf-BW-2_zwartwit-zonder-witte-jas-250x350.jpg)
![NIIOS MHR](https://www.niios.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-team-mhr.png)
Achraf Laouani, MD, FEBO
Corneal Fellow
ENG: Dr. Achraf Laouani started his fellowship at NIIOS on October 11th, 2021.
NL: Dr. Achraf Laouani startte zijn fellowship bij NIIOS op 11 oktober 2021.
![](http://niios.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Mohamed2-274x350.jpg)
![NIIOS MHR](https://www.niios.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-team-mhr.png)
Mohamed Ghaly, MD, MBBCh, FEBO
Corneal Fellow
Dr Ghaly graduated from medical school of Ain-Shams University in Cairo in 2008. He did his specialty trainings in ophthalmology in Cairo, Egypt and in Hamburg, Germany. Afterwards he did subspeciality training and fellowship in anterior segment and refractive surgery in Hamburg, Germany. Beside his clinical experience, he passed the exams of Fellowship of European Board of Ophthalmology and Royal College of Surgeons (Ophthalmology) of Edinburgh. His current research interests are artificial intelligence strategies in ophthalmology in collaboration with University of Cologne, Germany, as well as continues understanding of corneal tissue, corneal diseases pathogenesis for development of individualized lamellar corneal transplantations (DMEK, Bowman layer onlay) and therapeutic laser modalities at NIIOS. Dr Ghaly is always pleased to be frequently on charity missions for reverse blindness in Africa.
![](http://niios.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/New-8261640-263x350.jpg)
![NIIOS MHR](https://www.niios.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/logo-team-mhr.png)