December/January Editorial from Oliver Findl- Quality in research

The ESCRS PREvention of Macular EDema after cataract surgery (PREMED) study is the first international, multi-centre, randomised, controlled clinical trial specifically designed to answer questions relating to the prevention of CME after cataract surgery in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The study outcomes pave the way for the first evidence-based clinical guidelines to prevent CME after cataract surgery in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. In this issue of EuroTimes, we are pleased to announce the results of the study. These results were presented by Rudy MMA Nuijts MD, PhD, Professor of Ophthalmology at the University Eye Clinic Maastricht UMC+, the Netherlands, and lead investigator of the PREMED Study, and his colleague Laura Wielders MD, at the XXXV Congress of the ESCRS in Lisbon, Portugal. On behalf of the ESCRS, I would like to congratulate Prof Nuijts, Dr Wielders and all of the research team for their excellent work on this groundbreaking study. One of the features of this study was that it was an independent study, funded by the ESCRS, without the backing of the pharmaceutical industry. Of course, we rely on, and are grateful for, the support of industry in helping to fund research, but it is also gratifying to note that it is possible for centres like University Eye Clinic Maastricht to carry out such a major trial together with several study sites throughout Europe. The PREMED Study presentation was one of the highlights of this year’s ESCRS Congress, which was attended by more than 9,800 delegates from 120 countries. As my friend and colleague ESCRS president Professor David Spalton pointed out, the record attendance was a testimony to the Society’s mission of bringing the very best in high-quality clinical research and education to its members. I am also glad to note that the YO programme at the annual congress in Lisbon was very well received by delegates and that it continues to go from strength to strength. We are now looking forward to the 22nd ESCRS Winter Meeting, which will be held in Belgrade, Serbia, in conjunction with the Serbian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, from 9-11 February 2018. The Young Ophthalmologists Programme on Friday, 9 February, will once again feature the very popular “Learning from the learners” interactive session on cataract surgery for trainees, where young ophthalmologists can present their own video cases. As always, I am very grateful to my co-chairpersons Simonetta Morselli and Kaarina Vannas, who will discuss these cases with the trainees and also present their own pearls of wisdom. Finally, a quick reminder to all of our YOs that the very popular John Henahan Writing Prize is now open for entries for 2018. The topic for the essay is ‘Do We Need a Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial in Cataract Surgery?’ The winner will receive a €1,000 travel bursary to attend the 36th Congress of the ESCRS in Vienna, Austria, and further information is available on: www.escrs.org. Finally, as we look back on the old year and look forward to the next 12 months, I would like to wish all readers of EuroTimes a very happy and prosperous 2018. * Dr Oliver Findl is Secretary of the ESCRS, chairperson of the ESCRS Young Opthalm ologists Committee and Chief of the Department of Ophthalmology, Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, Austria