EURETINA 2025: Aleksandra Rachitskaya and Danilo Iannetta on the Vit-Buckle Symposium

The Vit-Buckle Symposium will be a part of the EURETINA annual meeting in Paris, France, again this year. To discuss this symposium, Aleksandra Rachitskaya, MD, FASRS, from Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute, and Danilo Iannetta, MD, PhD, from Rome Sapienza University, spoke with the Eye Care Network.

The symposium was designed to showcase challenging surgical cases from presenters worldwide, with a significant portion dedicated to open and honest discussions. Participants believed that learning was most effective when sharing complex medical scenarios rather than just highlighting successes. Iannetta described the session as highly dynamic and interactive, structured around 2-minute surgical video presentations followed by extensive discussions. The format encouraged surgeons to learn from each other's experiences and perspectives.

The Vit-Buckle Society distinguished itself by welcoming members at all training levels, including medical students, residents, and fellows. Members gained access to extensive educational resources, including webinars in surgical and medical retina, and opportunities to participate in international meetings.

Iannetta shared his long-standing connection with the society, having first engaged with it in 2014 during a year-long stay in New York. He observed the organization's consistent growth and commitment to creating a multicultural, international scientific community.

The society will host its annual meeting from April 9-11, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and is inviting abstracts from participants worldwide. The members emphasized their commitment to supporting young professionals, offering free membership for trainees and opportunities for international participants to present their work.

Key highlights included the society's presence at multiple international conferences, including recent appearances at the Pan-American meeting and an upcoming event in Asia. Both Rachitskaya and Iannetta stressed the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and supporting emerging medical professionals. The symposium represented more than just a medical conference; it was a platform for global medical professionals to connect, learn, and grow together. By creating an inclusive, interactive environment, the Vit-Buckle Society aimed to advance medical knowledge and support the next generation of eye care specialists.