XXV Congress of the ESCRS - Meeting Preview

This year, from the 8th to 12th September, Stockholm will be playing host to the 25th Congress of the European Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS). More than 5,000 delegates from all around the world are expected to attend what is Europe's largest ophthalmic conference and exhibition. Attendees will be able to choose from between 100 courses, more than 20 symposia, in excess of 600 free papers and almost the same number of posters, as well as perusing the stands at the exhibition.

Every year the congress is full to the brim with symposia, courses and wet-lab sessions and this year is no different. Below we have outlined just a few of the scientific sessions taking place during the five-day event.

Taking to the podium...

The afternoon sees a switch in focus to post-glaucoma surgery wound healing. David Spalton and Manfred Tetz lead the discussion, which features a keynote speech by Peng Khaw on the subject of the cell biology aspects of wound healing and additional presentations on tubes and implants and the controversial use of Avastin in the treatment of glaucoma will also be given.

The first day and the congress' clinical research symposia are brought to a close by sessions on drug delivery systems for use in the anterior segment of the eye and the latest developments in high-resolution imaging and biometry.

Meanwhile, the following day features an interesting session on cataract surgery, which promises to be very entertaining. Titled "Supra Cataract Surgery," the symposium will see several experts battle it out for the status of best cataract surgeon by providing a suitable ending to the phrase "I am the best because..." For example, Per Montan and Howard Fine will be respectively claiming, "I am the best because: I never get endophthalmitis" and "I am the best because: my patients never use glasses."

On Tuesday the 11th September, Gerd Auffarth and Risto Uusitalo will chair a session on state of the art phakic IOLs. With presentations on anterior and posterior chamber lenses, iris-claw IOLs and toric implantable lenses, this symposium should leave you feeling knowledgeable and empowered with the latest information on this exciting field of research and development.

As always, industry will be out in force and taking advantage of the five-day event by displaying their latest innovations to delegates during scientific sessions. Firms that will be sponsoring symposia include AMO, Alcon, Intralase, *Acri.Tec, Schwind, STAAR, Ellex, Oculus, Hoya, Zeiss, Bausch & Lomb and Santen.

Learning new skills