With more than 15,000 attendees from 130 countries, more than 350 scientific sessions and nearly 200 exhibitors, the 36th World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC2018) of the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) offered an innovative program with the latest science and research in ophthalmology from around the world. This included 71 instruction courses, 48 free paper sessions, 60 poster “pod” sessions and more than 1,210 e-videos and e-posters.
Held in Barcelona, Spain, and hosted by the Spanish Society of Ophthalmology (SEO), the event took place from June 16 to 19. The Congress was co-hosted by the European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE) and the Spanish Society of Implant-Refractive Ocular Surgery (SECOIR) in partnership with the Catalan Society of Ophthalmology (SCO) and the Barraquer Institute (BI). This was the first time the event was held in Barcelona.
“I think that the contribution of all the talks has been of major interest and importance, and the exhibition of the pharmaceutical industry and instrument manufacturers has also represented one of the values to be considered in the success of this scientific meeting,” said Dr. Rafael I. Barraquer, president of WOC2018.
The success of WOC translates into good for the eye community as well. According to their website, “Revenues from the WOC help support International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) programs including ophthalmic education, eye care delivery, leadership and society development and the ICO’s commitment to ‘Building a World Alliance for Sight’.”
One of the many highlights of WOC2018 were the surgical skills training courses, which allowed surgeons to develop their techniques (in a wet or dry lab environment). These training courses also provided an opportunity to gain experience in the latest ophthalmologic technology and included a chance to perform virtual simulated surgery. Surgical skills courses included: making the most of MSICS: a course to develop your tunnel skills; keratoplasty (endothelial); glaucoma; keratoplasty (trephination and suturing) wetlab; vitrectomy wetlab basic course; and cataract and vitreoretinal virtual simulated surgery.
This year’s Congress also offered content OnDemand. Those who missed WOC2018 can now watch more than 500 hours of 350 recorded sessions, worth 100 CME credits. The WOC2018 OnDemand series includes presentations from the following sessions: invited symposia, invited videos, debates, case studies, clinical interest groups, and submitted free papers.
Established in 1857, the WOC is the longest continuous international medical meeting. The Congress is held every two years in a different region with the goal of creating a scientific program addressing all subspecialties and related interests in ophthalmology; providing the opportunity to network with recognized international leaders and professionals; and producing an exhibition featuring the latest products and services in the field. The 37th WOC will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, from June 26 to 19, 2020.
“The next appointment in Cape Town will take place concurrently with the greatest of our vision code, the significant 2020; so from these lines, I would like to convey to the next organizers who will take over the passion that from my city and country we have all put into the happening of this already closed WOC 2018,” said Dr. Barraquer.
For more information about the next WOC, www.icoph.org/WOC2020.
