ESCRS 2023: Attendee highlights, from the arena to the exhibit hall

This year’s European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) meeting was the largest ever. Between symposia and keynote lectures, we caught up with attendees and presenters to discuss their congress highlights. Some of their favorite events included the Arena Sessions, a new addition to the official programme, and sightseeing in beautiful Vienna, Austria. See what made this year's ESCRS so special for Dee Stephenson, MD, FACS; Scott D. Barnes, MD; Fritz Hengerer, MD, PhD; and Amir Hamid, FRCOphth, CertLRS.

Editor's note: This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.

Dee Stephenson, MD, FACS: iNovation Day yesterday was pretty interesting. All the talks were good, everybody has something to offer. And it's interesting that a lot of things have become, you know–different companies have merged and done different things. So, but where I'm excited about is, you know, the new MIGS procedures and certainly the new and improved IOLs. Any time there's a new IOL that can can solve a problem or be better for our patients, that's what I'm interested in.

Scott D. Barnes, MD: You bring so many people from around the world, different perspectives, different cultures, different belief systems, if you will, and it's always exciting. What I've been looking forward to are those direct kind of point-counterpoint, the pros and cons. Those are always exciting, they're interesting, they're provocative, and they really make you think a little bit.

Fritz Hengerer, MD, PhD: The first impression I got [was] when I was in the arena. I saw the colleagues talking about ICL and removal of [inaudible]... and the contributions they did, choreographing readings in patients with keratoconus or astigmatic values...this is what makes my interest very happy in this field. Not only showing what the papers show, but we can see the people acting in the ring: fighting, struggling against each other, discussing, and this is what is a good warm up for the conference overall.

Amir Hamid, FRCOphth, CertLRS: I'm excited about some of the new lens technologies. And you know, I'm excited about being able to try them and use them with my patients, because I think they would benefit from newer technologies and even better results than they get now. And the other great thing about this ESCRS is that Vienna is an amazing city. So I always bring my family with me, and we've had a great time, as well as enjoying the conference.