Dr. Zubair Ansari’s path to medicine was set in motion long before he ever donned a white coat. Born in India and frequently visiting as a child, Zubair grew up watching his father, a dedicated cardiologist, serve his community with compassion and tireless commitment. Visits to his Uncle’s home in India left a lasting impression and he remembers dozens of patients lined up outside his uncle’s house, all waiting to be seen by his father. That steady stream of hope and healing left its mark. “The joy it brought my dad, helping however he could, it stuck with me,” Dr. Ansari recalls.
Today, Dr. Ansari carries forward that legacy as an ophthalmologist specializing in cataract and complex anterior segment cases. After completing his residency at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami and a Global Ophthalmology Fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital, he has remained deeply committed to addressing preventable blindness both at home and abroad.
His passion for global health is matched by a belief in sustainable solutions. “My training at Wills taught me it’s not just about treating patients, it’s about training and empowering future ophthalmologists,” he explains. That philosophy resonates in every project he takes on, from underserved regions in the Caribbean to collaborative efforts in the Philippines, where he partners with surgeons like Dr. Tess Heyrosa through SEE International.
Megan Webber, Co-Founder of KTG and Helene Dameris, KTG Director of Global Outreach were introduced to Dr. Ansari through Fourth Year Med Student and KTG intern, Milin Patel, and had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Ansari to explore how his experience and passion for global ophthalmology might intersect with the mission of KnowTheGlow. Dr. Ansari sees great potential in our simple, powerful message. “It’s something everyone can understand, not just ophthalmologists or eye professionals,” he shared. He’s eager to find ways to disseminate this knowledge more broadly, both in South Florida and beyond.
Dr. Ansari is already engaged in local screening efforts through his partnerships with the Lois Pope Life Foundation in West Palm Beach, where hundreds of children are screened at each event. He sees clear value in having KTG’s awareness materials present at these gatherings and helping parents recognize the glow before it’s too late. He’s also connected with the Naples public school system in Collier County, where similar screening programs are in place. “Coupling those with KTG materials,” he said, “could make a real difference.”
Internationally, his work extends to some of the most underserved areas, including communities in the Caribbean and Southeast Asia. In Cebu, the second largest city in the Philippines, he’s cultivated strong relationships and envisions the potential for future collaboration. He also shared an interest in a potential awareness campaign tailored to Haitian Creole speakers in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, a community he feels passionate about reaching.
What drew him to ophthalmology in the first place? “Nothing captivated me in medical school the way ophthalmology did,” he shared. “In a 15-minute exam, you can change someone’s life. And with eye tumors, you can even save one.” It was clear that Dr. Ansari’s passion and innovative spirit are exactly what’s needed in today’s rapidly evolving field of global eye care. We at KTG are grateful for the opportunity to connect and look forward to exploring ways our missions might align to further awareness and early detection of childhood blindness across the globe.
