MEETING PREVIEW: Worldwide attendance expected for 2013 Brazillian and Pan American Congress of Ophthalmology

The beautiful coastal city of Rio de Janeiro will host the 2013 Brazilian and Pan American Congress of Ophthalmology taking place on 7–10 August.

The event, organized by the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO) and the Pan American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO), is a shared event at Riocentro Convention Centre.

"We expect more than 8000 congressmen from all Americas," said Eduardo Dib, director of communication of the congresses.

Some of the main themes of the meeting include:

Ivo Pitanguy

One of the highlights of the event will be a presentation by renowned plastic surgeon Ivo Pitanguy. Titled, "The Aging Process and Ideals of Beauty", the colloquium is part of oculoplastics symposium.

"The population is ageing and ophthalmologists need to be prepared to combine plastic-aesthetic knowledge with an ophthalmological point of view," said Dr Ana Luisa Hofling-Lima, PhD, president-elect of PAAO and 2013 Pan-American Congress of Ophthalmology. "In other words, the surgeon must be able to restore functionality and beauty at the same time."

1st World Eye Bank Symposium

Another highlight will be the World Eye Bank Symposium, organized by the World Alliance of Eye Banks along with the Pan American Association of Eye Banks (APABO). With lectures taking place between 8–9 August, this event promises to be of interest not only to ophthalmologists, but health professionals in general.

"We will have space for 300 participants and we will discuss conduct standardization in eye banks in the world," said Dr Luciene Barbosa de Souza, international president of APABO. "An event of this magnitude taking place in Brazil is highly important, as the Brazilian transplant politic is unique and positioned as one of the best of the world."

Guests of honour

Among the guests of honor at the Pan-American Congress are Dr Alice McPherson, of Houston, Texas, USA, an accomplished educator, scholar, leader, and pioneer in the study of retina diseases. A professor of Baylor Medical School, her contributions to ophthalmology began with the pioneering scleral buckling procedures, cryotherapy, and xenon and laser therapy in the treatment of retinal diseases.

"She represents the modern woman in the Pan American Society of Ophthalmology," said Dr Hofling-Lima.

Another guest of honour is David E.I. Pyott, CEO and president of Allergan, a global company with multiple medical specialties, including ophthalmology, neuroscience, breast aesthetic healthcare, treatment of obesity cases and urology.

Details

For more information regarding the 2013 Brazilian and Pan American Congress of Ophthalmology, Tel.: +55 11 3266 4000 or visit the website at http://www.congressocbo.com.br/