Winterthur hosts WOS 2026 with multispecialty ophthalmology agenda

The 3rd Winterthur Ophthalmology Symposium (WOS 2026) will bring together ophthalmologists and eye care professionals in Winterthur, Switzerland, on 12–13 March 2026 at the Gate27 venue. This two-day meeting is designed to provide comprehensive, clinically relevant updates across a wide range of subspecialties, including retina, artificial intelligence (AI), glaucoma, cornea, oculoplastics, and refractive surgery. A keynote presentation by Prof Josef Flammer will provide insights into the latest approaches for diagnosing and managing normotension glaucoma.

Participants can earn 16 CME points accredited by SOG/SSO, while engaging with an extensive scientific programme featuring hands-on workshops, satellite symposia, poster sessions, and a gala event.

To learn more about or register for the WOS 2026 meeting, click here.

Thursday: Opening and medical retina

WOS 2026 opens Thursday morning with a welcome from PD Dr Josef Guber, launching a broad agenda under the banner “Presbyopia meets Retina.” The first session focuses on medical retina, led by Prof Nicolas Feltgen, with talks on retinal vascular occlusion (RVO) pathophysiology and diagnostics by PD Dr Pascal Hasler, followed by clinical comparisons of anti‑VEGF therapy and retinal laser by Prof Bernhard Henrich.

Additional speakers including Prof Margarita Todorova, PD Dr Aude Ambresin, and Prof Martin Spitzer are scheduled to address topics ranging from OMIC‑based approaches to early intravenous thrombolysis for retinal artery occlusion.

AI in ophthalmology

A segment on AI in ophthalmology features international experts such as Prof Goran Petrovski, Prof Ioana Damian, Dr Daniel Muth, Prof Peter Szurman, Prof Robert Rejdak, PD Dr Peter Maloca, and Dr Eline De Clerck. Presentations will examine AI applications in vitreoretinal interface conditions, age‑related macular degeneration, macular oedema and keratoconus, concluding with insights into current AI and digital ophthalmology and the Swiss Ophthalmic Imaging Network.

Surgical retina and glaucoma sessions

The afternoon session on Thursday is devoted to surgical retina, with Prof Peter Szurman, Prof Robert Rejdak, Dr Sandro Di Simplicio and others discussing retinal detachment repair strategies including pars plana vitrectomy, giant retinal tears, choroidal patching, and hydrogel vitreous substitutes.

A session on glaucoma features Prof Marc Toeteberg‑Harms, Dr Gok Ratnarajan, Prof Gus Gazzard, Dr Marta Pazos, and PD Dr Hana Abouzeid, covering MIGS advances, light trial and direct SLT, updated EGS guidelines, and case‑based management discussions.

Friday: Cornea, oculoplastics, and refractive surgery

Friday’s programme begins with a cornea session led by Prof Eric Gabison, exploring decompensation diagnosis, neuropathic corneal pain (Dr Samer Hamada), cataract surgery in compromised corneas (Dr Artemis Matsou), DMEK results (Dr Alain Saad), and graft‑related topics including laser use and transplant rejection.

The Zografos Memorial Lecture on choroidal melanoma featuring Prof Ann Schalenbourg, Prof Vinodh Kakkassery, Dr Marc Stahel, Dr Stephan Kinzl and Prof Mykola Umanets precedes a plenary oculoplastic session with Dr Nikolina Budimlija, PD Dr Andreas Kreis, Dr Ana Duarte, Dr Santiago Ortiz‑Pérez and Dr Daniel Ezra.

Friday also highlights sessions on refractive surgery, where Dr Samer Hamada, Dr Brendan Cummings, Dr Alain Saad, PD Dr Ivo Guber, Dr Ashraf Armia, and Dr Myron Kynigopoulos address topics ranging from phakic IOL sizing and complications to keratoconus applications. The day ends with a closing ceremony and awards for best presentations and posters.

Workshops and satellite symposia

In addition to the core scientific content, workshops include:

• Biometry – Dr Sibylle Scholtz
• Meibography and Ocular Rosacea – Dr Samer Hamada
• Corneal Topography – PD Dr Philipp Bänninger
• Longevity and Systemic Health – Dr Naim Azemaj
• Resilience in Clinical Practice – Antonio Bene, MA
• Early TARDOC Q&A – Patrick Müller

Satellite symposia broaden the programme:

• Thursday: “Laser & Cataract by Presbymania” – Talks from Dr Jérôme Bovet, Dr Sibylle Scholtz, Dr Ashraf Armia, Prof Claes Feinbaum, covering asphericity, IOL calculations, presbyopia treatment, and laser technologies.
• Friday Lunch Symposium: “The Eye and Art” – Dr Frank Goes explores vision through perceptual and creative lenses.

A free poster session rounds out the satellite offerings.

Night for Sight: Gala event

The meeting concludes Friday night with the “Night for Sight” congress gala event at the Casinotheater Winterthur, featuring a four‑course dinner, cultural performances by Jodelclub Wülflingen, music by CAMEN and DJ collaborations, and the presentation of the Otto Haab Medal, honoring contributions to ophthalmology history.

Editor's Note: This content was generated with the assistance of AI.