Plan your attendance at ESCRS 2025! The Congress starts on Friday 12 September in the morning! Make sure you do not miss any of the below exciting Programme features!
ESCRS Opening Ceremony
Setting the Vision
Kick off ESCRS 2026 with a dynamic and high-impact opening that celebrates the strength, achievements, and future of the ESCRS community.
Through powerful visuals, inspiring storytelling, and short films, the ceremony highlights key scientific progress, humanitarian initiatives, and the innovations shaping the congress ahead. A vibrant London-themed segment connects eye care with the city’s rich history and culture, grounding the event in its iconic host destination.
Concluding with a forward-looking preview of the scientific and educational programme, this energising opening sets the tone for the days to come.
Celebrate the journey. Experience the vision. Step into what’s next.
Arena
Surgical Pearls - 100 Seconds to Master the Technique
Fast, focused, and highly practical, this dynamic session reveals how expert surgeons really perform key steps in everyday practice. Through a series of rapid-fire, narrated video clips—each just 100 seconds—leading specialists share their personal techniques, smart adaptations, and real-world tips across live cases.
Each topic brings multiple perspectives, followed by a sharp, moderator-led discussion to deepen insights and spark exchange. High energy, strict timing, and direct learning make every minute count.
Short. Sharp. Practical. See how the experts really do it.
Arena Forum - Ideas That Shape the Future
A dedicated space for meaningful dialogue, the Arena Forum brings together professionals to explore the topics that matter most in today’s ophthalmology landscape.
Through open exchange and shared perspectives, participants engage in thoughtful discussions that go beyond presentation—encouraging collaboration, insight, and forward-looking thinking.
Insightful, inclusive, and future-focused, this forum is where conversations turn into ideas that help shape what comes next.
Share perspectives. Spark dialogue. Shape the future together.
Arena Debate - Parliament Debate: Challenging the Norms
A high-energy, expertly moderated debate inspired by the format of the UK Parliament, tackling the most controversial topics in cataract and refractive surgery.
Built on evidence—not opinion—this dynamic session brings structured confrontation, strong arguments, and active audience participation to the forefront. Pre- and post-debate voting captures real learning, showing how perspectives evolve through informed discussion.
Engaging, provocative, and insight-driven, this is where ideas are tested, challenged, and refined.
Debate the evidence. Shift perspectives. Learn what really matters.
ESONT Pub Quizz - Test Your Knowledge. Enjoy the Moment.
Unwind after a full day of learning with this lively and interactive pub quiz experience, designed to bring the ESCRS community together in a relaxed and engaging setting.
Challenge yourself and your peers across ophthalmology topics, exchange ideas, and enjoy a fun, social atmosphere with colleagues from around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting out, everyone has a chance to shine.
Energetic, inclusive, and entertaining, this is the perfect blend of learning, networking, and fun.
Compete. Connect. Celebrate the spirit of ophthalmology.
World Café - Exchange Ideas, Shape Solutions
Step into a highly interactive environment where clinical expertise meets real-world discussion. In this dynamic roundtable format, delegates engage in small-group exchanges to explore six carefully selected clinical cases submitted by peers.
Guided by expert moderators and group leaders, each case is tackled through rapid presentations, lively table discussions, and collective decision-making—bringing diverse perspectives to the forefront.
Fast-paced, collaborative, and insight-driven, this session is designed to maximise participation, stimulate debate, and turn shared experience into practical takeaways.
Engage. Discuss. Decide. Experience the power of collective expertise.
Global Refractive Summit
The goal of this Summit is to strengthen the scientific foundations of Refractive Surgery by integrating Evidence, Diagnostics, Clinical Decision-Making, and technological Innovation into a coherent and rational framework grounded in both cutting-edge science and core clinical values. Participating societies: ESCRS & Non-European Affiliated National Societies: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Emirates & Invited National Society: India.
Brave Cases – Real Learning (Former Getting it wrong)
Step into the reality of surgical practice, where experienced surgeons share challenging cases, difficult decisions, and less-than-perfect outcomes—openly and honestly.
Through powerful, live-narrated videos, each case reveals critical moments, dilemmas, and lessons learned. Expert panels and peers then explore these cases in a respectful, no-blame discussion, turning complications into valuable collective insight.
Authentic, courageous, and deeply educational, this session focuses on what matters most: learning from experience to improve patient care.
No blame. No shame. Just real learning that makes a difference.
Glaucoma Day
Integrating Care, Advancing Practice
A dedicated programme offering an in-depth exploration of the rapidly evolving field of glaucoma diagnosis and management.
Bringing together leading experts, this focused day examines current best practices, surgical and minimally invasive techniques, and the integration of glaucoma care within cataract and refractive surgery.
Insightful, practical, and evidence-driven, Glaucoma Day promotes interdisciplinary learning and helps clinicians make informed decisions in an increasingly complex treatment landscape.
Expand your expertise. Integrate your approach. Elevate patient outcomes.
WSPOS Day
Focus on Paediatric Vision Care
Organised in collaboration with the World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, this dedicated programme shines a light on the unique challenges of caring for young patients.
Led by international experts, sessions explore key topics in paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, from diagnostic complexities to advanced surgical techniques and long-term visual outcomes.
Practical, insightful, and highly relevant, WSPOS Day offers valuable perspectives for clinicians managing paediatric cases within a busy ophthalmic practice.
Enhance your skills. Tackle complex cases. Improve lifelong vision outcomes.
iNovation® Day
Where the Future of Ophthalmology Takes Shape
Kicking off ESCRS 2026, iNovation Day brings together clinicians, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and investors for a full day dedicated to the ideas and technologies shaping tomorrow’s eye care. Through fast-paced sessions, expert panels, and live pitches from emerging companies, the programme tackles the most urgent clinical needs and real-world challenges—from AI and robotics to new treatment pathways across the anterior segment. Interactive by design, with live voting, audience engagement, and the high-energy Innovators Den, the day combines cutting-edge insight with practical relevance—while offering invaluable networking with global experts across disciplines.
Discover innovation. Meet the pioneers. Help shape what’s next in ophthalmology.
Excimer Laser Celebration
Celebrating the developments and figures involved in the birth and utilization of the Excimer laser in ophthalmology. This will take the form of a physical “museum” exhibition with posters, videos and physical items donated by industry sponsors.
5K Charity Run
Saturday, 12 Sept: 07:00
The run begins and ends at Excel London
Registration fee: EUR 25 Doctors / EUR 40 industry
Registration is open to ESCRS participants and includes a commemorative T-shirt if completed by 31 July 2026.
Registrations will open soon.
BoSS
BoSS Symposium
- Psychological Safety and Inclusive Leadership: Building Sustainable High Performing Ophthalmology Teams
BoSS Courses
- From Surgeon to Leader: Developing Essential Leadership Skills in Ophthalmology
- Creating Respectful and Inclusive Ophthalmology Work Environments: Understanding and Addressing Bullying and Harassment
BoSS Speed Mentoring sessions
Speed Mentoring @ ESCRS Membership Booth: Connect. Learn. Grow.
Fast, focused, and highly interactive, Speed Mentoring offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with experienced professionals through a series of short, one-on-one conversations.
Meet ESCRS leaders, key opinion leaders, industry experts, and specialists from across and beyond ophthalmology, all ready to share insights, career advice, and real-world experience.
In an efficient and dynamic format, you’ll build meaningful connections, gain tailored guidance, and explore new perspectives to support your professional development.
Connect with experts. Ask your questions. Accelerate your career.
ESCRS Booth and Membership Lounge:
Connect at the Heart of the Congress
A vibrant and highly visible hub designed to bring the ESCRS community together in an open, welcoming, London-inspired setting.
Blending networking, member engagement, and hospitality, the space offers dedicated areas to connect, collaborate, and unwind—enhanced by strong visual elements, interactive screens, and engaging installations.
From speed mentoring and themed networking sessions to on-stand activations and creative experiences, the programme brings energy and interaction to every moment, while showcasing key ESCRS and YOFS initiatives, including sustainability.
Dynamic, inviting, and experiential, this is the place where conversations happen and connections grow.
Meet. Engage. Experience ESCRS at its centre.
ESCRS Masterclasses in-person learning
- Complex Cataract
- Interventional Glaucoma
- Corneal Lens Based Refractive Surgery
FEBOS-CR Exam
- 10 September 2026
- 20 candidates undergoing the MCQ and oral examination.