We are delighted to welcome Dr Germán Mejía-Salgado as a touchOPHTHALMOLOGY Future Leader 2026.
Dr Germán Mejía-Salgado, MD, is an ophthalmologist at Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga and a physician-scientist with advanced training in data science, biostatistics, machine learning and deep learning. His academic interests focus on real-world evidence, predictive analytics and clinical decision support, with a strong commitment to leveraging data to improve patient care and trial design.
In this Q&A, Dr Mejía-Salgado discusses what drew him to the field of ophthalmology, the mentor who made a significant impact on his career so far, and how AI is changing the future of clinical practice.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in ophthalmology?
My mother has been a profound source of inspiration from the very beginning. Her love for her work, the passion with which she taught me, and the gratitude she received from patients when their vision was restored deeply influenced my decision to pursue ophthalmology. It is often only when one is actively involved in patient care that the true importance of vision in people’s lives becomes evident. Having the knowledge and skills to help preserve or restore vision is both meaningful and deeply rewarding.
Q: Who has been the most significant mentor or role model for you, and what did you learn from them?
Alejandra de la Torre has been my most significant mentor. I met her during medical school, where she stood out for her ability to successfully combine clinical practice with research. From her, I learned that when learning is driven by genuine interest, everything flows more naturally. She also taught me the importance of curiosity and persistence, and that going the extra mile in what you do often allows you to achieve a broader impact.
“Germán Mejía-Salgado exemplifies a future leader in ophthalmology through rigorous clinical research, key contributions to uveitis and corneal disease (>50 papers, one book), and a strong commitment to advancing evidence-based eye care with global impact.”
Alejandro Tello, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
Q: What current innovations in ophthalmology excite you the most?
I am particularly excited about advances in artificial intelligence, especially image recognition and the use of big data to analyze large and complex datasets. In addition, AI-based tools that improve doctor–patient communication are especially promising, as they can help shift clinical encounters toward truly patient-centered care rather than focusing primarily on administrative requirements.
Disclosures: This short article was prepared by touchOPHTHALMOLOGY in collaboration with Dr Mejía-Salgado. No fees or funding were associated with its publication.
Citation: Dr Germán Mejía-Salgado on advancing vision care through AI: touchOPHTHALMOLOGY Future Leaders 2026 touchOPHTHALMOLOGY. 11 March 2026.
Register now to receive the touchOPHTHALMOLOGY newsletter!
Don’t miss out on hearing about our latest peer reviewed articles, expert opinions, conference news, podcasts and more.
