The European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE) meeting kicks off in Lisbon, Portugal

Symposia will cover a wide range of multidisciplinary topics including neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, strabismus and more. Image credit: ©smallredgirl – stock.adobe.com

From 7-9 June, the European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE) will hold its annual congress in Lisbon, Portugal. The 2025 meeting will be held at the Lisbon Congress Centre (CCL), in the historical area of Belém near the Tagus River.

The 2023 SOE Congress was hosted in Prague, Czech Republic, and welcomed close to 2,000 delegates from 89 countries, according to SOE president Wagih Aclimandos, MB, BCh, FRCS, FRCOphth, DO, FEBO. In a welcome letter, Mr Aclimandos thanked his colleagues in both Lisbon and Prague for their support.

“We have every reason to expect strong support and an even greater success in Lisbon. The scientific programme is constantly evolving based on the feedback from previous meetings. We also expect the Congress to offer significant networking opportunities in beautiful Lisbon at a very good time of the year,” he wrote. “We look forward to welcoming you to what promises to be a feast of ophthalmology for senior and young colleagues in all disciplines of ophthalmology from Europe and across the world."

Pedro Menéres, MD, president of the Portuguese Society of Ophthalmology, also penned a welcome letter. "This meeting, which will take place in the beautiful and vibrant city of Lisbon, is a celebration of science, innovation and the spirit of collaboration that unites our community," he wrote. "On behalf of the Portuguese Society of Ophthalmology, I invite you to take part in this unique experience, which promises to leave a significant mark on our field."

The scientific programme includes symposia, video sessions, electronic posters and debates on a wide range of topics across specialities. These include:

• Cataract and refractive care
• Cornea and external eye
• Glaucoma
• Neuro-ophthalmology
• Oculoplastics
• Oncology and pathology
• Paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus
• Retina
• Uveitis
• Electrophysiology
• Multidisciplinary studies

Additionally, attendees can participate in targeted trainings and sessions presented in partnership with other ophthalmic organisations. The SOE's Leadership Development Programme, EuLDP, will host a symposium on global leadership in ophthalmology. There will also be a ceremony for graduates of the EuLDP programme. The class of 2023-2025 includes 19 clinicians, who each developed and completed a project as part of the EuLDP programme. Abstracts for each EuLDP project in this year’s class can be found here.

A lounge for young ophthalmologists (YO) will be open daily from 9:30 am, with YO sessions throughout each day. On Saturday, the lounge will host a YO reception at 18:00 pm.

Additionally, the SOE Congress will feature International Society of Ocular Trauma (ISOT) Sessions and European University Professors of Ophthalmology (EUPO) Sessions. To see the full programme, including ISOT and EUPO programming, access the SOE website and planner here: https://soe2025.soevision.org/

Reference

SOE 2025, 7-9 June, Lisbon, Portugal. Accessed June 6, 2025. https://soe2025.soevision.org/