Bobbie Marie M. Santos, MD, PhD, DPBO

The 42nd Congress of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS), held in Barcelona, Spain from September 6 to 10, 2024, was an inspiring event that fostered innovation while honoring the past. With a packed schedule of sessions, navigating through the program was both exciting and challenging, but ultimately rewarding.

The congress kicked off with Cornea Day, offering a comprehensive series of condensed sessions on cataract surgery, anterior segment procedures, and updates in posterior lamellar keratoplasty and keratoconus. Throughout the week, I also attended instructional symposia on topics such as flanging techniques in anterior segment surgery, endothelial keratoplasty, ocular surface disorder therapies, and keratoprosthesis. Having recently performed my first lamellar keratoplasties and delved into complex anterior segment procedures, I was eager to refine my techniques and learn strategies for managing complications. I had fun interacting with the speakers through the open forums that offer a valuable opportunity to ask questions and hear diverse perspectives from the expert panel.

ESCRS also strongly emphasized hands-on learning. One of the interesting technologies I tried was the Virtual Reality Cataract Surgical Simulator. While it lacks the tactile realism of wet labs, it provided a structured, step-by-step guide to cataract surgery that can be useful for surgeons in training

A highlight of the congress was the celebration of the 75^th Anniversary of the first intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. The exhibit showcased the history of Sir Harold Ridley’s development of the IOL, along with videos and photos of IOL experiences from ophthalmologists worldwide and featured new concepts in IOL technology.

Just as Sir Ridley persevered through skepticism to develop the first IOL, Antoni Gaudí, the iconic Catalan architect, faced criticism for his unconventional designs. Both visionaries defied the norms of their fields, proving that groundbreaking achievements often arise from keen observation, imagination and resilience, a recurrent theme in the congress. Barcelona’s unique blend of historic and modern elements also provided the perfect backdrop for ESCRS 2024, which emphasized the importance of honoring the past and embracing the future in ophthalmology.

Figure 5. It is fascinating to see the contrast between the Gothic-style architecture of the Barcelona Cathedral and Gaudi’s modernist creations, such as the Sagrada Familia and Casa Milà.

Beyond the formal sessions, one of the most fulfilling aspects of the congress was connecting with fellow ophthalmologists over tapas and casual conversations. These moments of connection reassured me that the challenges we face in our practices are shared globally, and that we can learn and grow together.

There were still many activities I had hoped to attend but could not fit into my schedule and will have to wait for the next congress. ESCRS 2024 was truly a fantastic and invigorating learning experience that has left me with a renewed enthusiasm for ophthalmology! I am excited to apply the new techniques and insights I have learned and who knows, maybe even recreate the tapas at home! 

Dr. Bobbie Marie Santos is currently an External Disease and Cornea fellow at the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP PGH).