Dr. Sopheap Chea

Dr. Sopheap Chea is a consultant ophthalmologist at the Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital in Phnom Penh — one of Cambodia's largest public hospitals and a principal national referral centre for specialist eye care. With 12 years of ophthalmological experience, he is one of Cambodia's most experienced eye surgeons.

Cambodia has a significant burden of avoidable blindness, primarily from cataract disease, which affects the elderly and malnourished population at higher rates due to high ultraviolet exposure, poor nutritional status, and limited access to surgical services in rural areas. Dr. Chea trained in ophthalmology at the Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital and undertook specialist cataract surgery training through the ORBIS International Flying Eye Hospital programme — a globally recognized surgical training initiative that brings international ophthalmic expertise to developing healthcare systems.

He has been actively involved in community eye health screening campaigns across Cambodia's provinces, collaborating with NGOs and international ophthalmology organisations to identify patients with treatable blindness. He performs high-volume phacoemulsification cataract surgery and has trained junior ophthalmologists in surgical technique.

Dr. Chea completed his medical degree at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's primary medical school. He undertook ophthalmology residency training at Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital and completed specialist cataract surgery training through the ORBIS International programme. He holds a Diploma in Cataract Surgery and has completed advanced training in glaucoma management and retinal disease assessment at hospitals in Vietnam and Thailand. He is a member of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO).

Dr. Chea's primary surgical specialty is cataract surgery. He performs phacoemulsification cataract surgery — the modern, small-incision ultrasound-based technique — and the older extracapsular extraction (ECCE) technique for extremely dense cataracts that are not suitable for phacoemulsification. He inserts foldable IOLs (intraocular lenses) for post-cataract refractive correction, including multifocal IOLs for patients seeking spectacle independence.

In glaucoma, he performs trabeculectomy for open-angle glaucoma where medical therapy has failed. He manages diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration with comprehensive assessment and coordinates intravitreal injection therapy. He performs pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft. He uses optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual field testing for glaucoma and retinal disease monitoring.

Dr. Chea consults in Khmer, French, and English. Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital serves both Cambodian nationals and a significant expatriate community in Phnom Penh, including NGO workers, diplomats, and international business residents. For international patients requiring cataract surgery or ophthalmology consultations, video pre-consultation is available. Cambodia is increasingly attracting medical visitors for affordable eye surgery, particularly from the regional diaspora.

Dr. Chea has received recognition from the Cambodian Ophthalmological Society for his contributions to community eye health and high-volume cataract surgery in Cambodia. He has partnered with ORBIS International on multiple flying eye hospital programmes and community screening campaigns, providing cataract assessment and surgery access to rural Cambodian patients without access to hospital-based services. He has been an invited trainer in phacoemulsification technique for ophthalmology residents in Cambodia and neighbouring countries, contributing to regional surgical capacity building. He is a member of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and has participated in APAO-organised continuing ophthalmic education activities across the region.