Sam Navon, Ophthalmologist

Samuel Edward Navon, MD, PhD, FACS, is a distinguished ophthalmologist with three decades of expertise and a strong foundation in the medical sciences.

A graduate of the National Medical Scientist Training Program, Dr. Navon earned his Medical degree and then a PhD in biophysics. He spent the next five years specializing in ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School, completing a residency, chief residency, and a fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery.

Dr. Navon’s first work assignment was at the world’s largest eye hospital, in Riyadh, where he served as director of medical education, chief of the cornea and cataract division and helped create the country’s first fellowship program for the ophthalmic subspecialties. He further extended his clinical experiences by partnering with Carolina Ophthalmology, a highly respected private practice in North Carolina, serving as the region’s cornea and cataract specialist before he went on to help create an eye institute at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

Some of Dr. Navon’s achievements include performing the first artificial cornea transplantation in the UAE, leading research in creating a national screening program for keratoconus, and a patented online system to aid surgeons in positioning autologous corneal grafts.

A passionate advocate for global health, Dr. Navon has participated in Orbis ("flying eye hospital") missions, to provide life-changing eye care to communities across Haiti, Honduras, Bangladesh, and China.

Outside the operating room, Dr. Navon enjoys collecting fountain pens, skiing, snowboarding, dirt biking and playing the bass guitar. His zest for life and curiosity reflect the same passion and precision he brings to his medical practice.