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!
Focused Friday
Please note that there are links in the text below. Click for more information where relevant. The details are subject to change, please check back regularly.
ESCRS iNovation® Day 2025
How latest technology innovations may address the most urgent clinical needs and barriers to success in anterior segment care.
Registration at additional cost.
Cornea Day
Co-organised by ESCRS and EUCornea.
Registration at additional cost.
Glaucoma Day
Co-organised by ESCRS and EGS.
Registration at additional cost.
WSPOS Day
Organised by the World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.
Registration at additional cost.
The Global Refractive Summit
Organised jointly by ESCRS/ISRS/BRASCRS. Registration is included in the Congress registration fee.
Industry Exhibition
Starting at 12:00.
Special Saturday
Opening Ceremony
Make sure to join the ESCRS Opening Ceremony, which will take place in a new format!
Binkhorst Medal Lecture
Lecture on “The Short-Sighted World” delivered by Pr. Thomas Kohnen
ESCRS Arena – Valhalla
Don’t miss this year’s new ESCRS Arena Theme – Valhalla – transposing the audience into the northern hemisphere of the globe!
- Surgical pearls - Refractive intraocular
- Surgical pearls - Refractive Cornea
- YOFS Sustainability Arena
- Arena Debate
- Mix-and Match IOL optical designs is my first approach!
- Arena Forum
- Surgical Presbyopic solutions (laser, phakic, lensectomy)
Encouraging Sunday
BoSS
Implicit Bias Instructional Course and Workshop
LBI
Podium Presentations Skills
ESCRS Arena – Valhalla
Don’t miss this year’s new ESCRS Arena Theme – Valhalla – transposing the audience into the northern hemisphere of the globe!
- Surgical pearls - Cataract
- Surgical pearls – Complex Cataract
- YOFS Arena
- Arena Debate
- Opposite Clear Cornea Incisions is my first approach!
- Arena Forum
- KLEX Evidence-ESCRS Refractive Guidelines
The World Café
Join Us for an Unforgettable Learning Experience!
Are you passionate about presbyopia, cataract, refractive, or corneal surgery? Don't miss out on an incredible opportunity to engage in dynamic discussions led by expert moderators and colleagues!
Why Attend?
- Interactive Discussions: Connect with peers in small groups, guided by a leader, to ensure everyone's insights are heard.
- Expert-Led Sessions: Benefit from the knowledge and experience of leading professionals in the field.
- Collaborative Environment: Share, learn, and collaborate in an atmosphere where your ideas can spark meaningful dialogue.
- Unique Learning Opportunity: Dive deep into clinical cases and participate in discussions that can enhance your understanding and practice.
Experience the innovative World Café process where the best clinical cases are presented on stage by our esteemed chairs. Engage in discussions with 10 peers. The idea is also to make use of the planned spaces of the ESCRS Arena in Copenhagen. There will be specific spaces allowing for the discussion groups to autonomously discuss!
Discussion Topics will evolve around:
- Innovative Approaches in Refractive Surgery.
- Mastering Complications in Cataract Surgery.
- Innovative Approaches in Presbyopia
- Problem-Solving in Corneal Surgery.
Important Note: Attendance to the World Café will soon open on the online registration. Places are limited!
For planning purposes of the engaged faculty, but also as a respect to attendees who really want to take part in this engaging session, the organisers kindly request that you show up at the session you will have selected. If you know in advance that you will no longer be able to participate, it is crucial that you de-register / cancel your reservation. Thank you for your understanding.
Global@ Active Monday
Hot Topics
How latest technology innovations may address the most urgent clinical needs and barriers to success in anterior segment care.
- CSCRS Symposium - Femtolaser Breakthroughs.
- Main Symposium – Future proofing Ophthalmology: Demographics & Clinical Practice.
- Critical Reading of Scientific Articles Workshop
ESCRS Arena – Valhalla
Co-organised by ESCRS and EUCornea.
- Surgical pearls – Anterior Segment surgery
- Surgical pearls – Cornea DMEK
- YOFS Arena
- Arena Debate
- Enhancement surgery : Always surface ablation!
- Arena Forum
- AI in Refractive Surgery Decision Making process
Evergreens
- Surgical Video Session
Collaboration with International Societies
Watch out for the numerous sessions ESCRS presents in collaboration with:
- American Academy of Ophthalmology.
- CSCRS (American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery & Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons).
- EURETINA.
- Ophthalmology Foundation.
- Orbis.
- Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology.
- World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.
- JCRO (Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery Online Case Reports).
The Global Refractive Summit
Organised jointly by ESCRS/ISRS/BRASCRS. Registration is included in the Congress registration fee.
Industry Exhibition
Starting at 12:00.
Other Initiatives
The 30th Anniversary of the first use of Femtosecond Lasers in ophthalmic surgery
The European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery’s celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the first use of Femtosecond Lasers in ophthalmic surgery. To commemorate this journey, we are curating a special exhibition for the ESCRS Annual Congress 2025 in Copenhagen this September, showcasing the history and advancements of femtosecond lasers from their inception to present-day innovations. The exhibit will include a physical timeline at the congress centre, illustrating the development and implementation of femtosecond laser technology from the 1980s, through to the present day and the future.
ESONT Pub Quiz at ESCRS!
Join us for the Visionary Pubquiz at ESCRS!
‘Who is going to be the champion of ophthalmology?’
Ready to test your knowledge, have some fun and free drinks?
We’re thrilled to invite you to the Visionary ESONT Pub Quiz—the perfect way to unwind and engage with your fellow professionals after a full day of insightful presentations and networking. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or a passionate newcomer, there’s something for everyone!
ESCRS Initiatives
The ESCRS Simulation Training Lab
Following the success in Barcelona, the ESCRS Simulation Training Lab will again give participants a unique opportunity and experience to test and learn from the industry! Participation to this training lab is supported by the below companies and is at no cost to the delegates. Given the limitation of time slots and seats, you will only be able to choose from one of the below time slots. Participation is on a “first come-first served” basis. Supports are through Haag-Streit and Alcon.
Haag-Streit
If you are currently in Ophthalmological training or if you completed your training, but feel under equipped to perform cataract surgery, the Haag Streit Simulation course is for you.
The Haag Streit Simulation course includes the following features to help you advance your surgical skill for safe & effective cataract surgery:
- 8 Haag Streit Eyesi surgical Simulators
- 8 dry lab stations for basic skills
- 2 advanced wet lab station with phaco systems & BIONIKO artificial eyes
- Only 2 trainees per station
- Low trainee to mentor ratio
- 3 hrs training session to afford you time to train
This course is all about learning by doing in a structured setting where you will not be rushed. You will receive expert guidance from our team of “Super Mentors” who are there to help you refine your technique for each step of cataract surgery. In the Haag Streit simulation course you will train in 2 sections of the course.
Section #1 is intensive virtual reality training for cataract surgery with an emphasis on deconstructing every aspect of effective & safe phacoemulsification. Upon completing your simulation training you can apply your new phaco skills at the wet lab stations equipped with world class phaco machines.
Section #2 is an intensive dry lab experience where you will train on how to undertake suturing, making of the incision, and capsularhexis.
With a low trainee to mentor ratio and a 3 hr training session we have deliberately designed the course to slow down so that you can be afforded the necessary time & instruction to acquire essential cataract surgery skills faster.
Alcon
Alcon, the global leader in eye care, is pleased to offer the Fidelis™ Virtual Reality Cataract Surgical Simulator – an immersive experience, featuring the sights, sounds, and feel of the cataract procedure. Join our Alcon clinical expert in a 30-minute, one-on-one session, as you are guided through each step of the cataract procedure with Fidelis™. Explore the latest innovations in cataract surgery, including the integrated sounds and foot switch of the Centurion™ phacoemulsification system, as you push the limits of virtual reality.
5K Charity Run / Walk
5K Charity Run / Walk
Be part of the 5K Run / Walk during the 43rd Congress of the ESCRS in Copenhagen and support the ESCRS BoSS (Building our Sustainable Society) initiative promoting inclusivity in ophthalmology and beyond.
The run takes place on 13 September 2025 at 07:00 in the morning. Start and finish is at the Bella Center, the route includes a scenic loop through Amager Fælled, a natural reserve near the Bella Center.
The registration fee of EUR 25 for doctors and EUR 40 for industry includes admission to the run, water and a commemorative T-Shirt (if registered before 31 July 2025). The remaining amount will support ESCRS charitable initiatives.
Important notes
- No lockers, changing rooms or showers are available – come ready to run!
- Medical and emergency services will be on standby.
- Participation is at your own risk – ensure you are fit to join.
- Participation is limited to 500 runners / walkers.
- All participants will receive a digital certificate of participation after the event.
We would like to invite you to pack your running shoes and join us for this charity run / walk.
Delegates of the ESCRS 2025 Congress will receive a personal invitation to register to the run by email.