More than 70 international experts from around 15 countries gathered in Thimphu as Bhutan hosted the 4-day 5th South Asian Academy of Ophthalmology, Paediatric Ophthalmology, and Strabismus Association Internal Conference for the first time. Facilitated by the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan and the Department of Ophthalmology at the National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), the event provided a platform to exchange knowledge on childhood eye diseases and advanced treatments for strabismus—a condition commonly known as a squint that recorded 1,218 cases in Bhutan in 2025, primarily among children aged five to nine. Local medical professionals, including JDWNRH Head of Ophthalmology Dr. Dechen Wangmo, showcased how Bhutan innovatively delivers quality care despite limited resources, operating with just 19 ophthalmologists nationwide and only one specializing in paediatrics. Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk highlighted shared regional challenges such as specialist shortages, urban-rural healthcare disparities, and difficult mountainous terrain, emphasizing that regional collaboration and shared learning are vital for strengthening diagnostic capabilities, improving referral systems, and adapting specialized eye care to Bhutan’s national health framework.