Delegates brave snow to attend 19th ESCRS Winter Meeting in Istanbul

More than 1,600 delegates from 88 countries defied the snow to attend the 19th ESCRS Winter Meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. (check this figure). The large attendance was especially commendable as many delegates had to change their travel plans after unseasonal blizzards forced the temporary closure of Istanbul airport in the run-up to the meeting. ESCRS president Roberto Bellucci said the society was very pleased to be returning to Istanbul for the second time in five years, and to be once again joining with colleagues from the Turkish Ophthalmology Society. “The scientific programme includes an extended didactic programme, with courses in Basic Optics, Cataract, Refractive and Cornea, “ said Dr Belucci. “We also had a Young Ophthalmologists Programme yesterday (Friday), which proved to be very successful. We hope these courses will offer a valuable opportunity for residents and those in training to gain a deeper understanding of the basics of the different sub-specialties,†he said. This year’s programme also includes four main symposia, live surgery, free paper sessions, eposter presentations and a range of surgical skills training courses. The Annual Cornea Day on Friday was organised once again in conjunction with EuCornea . The Turkish Ophthalmology Society will present their own symposium on Sunday morning “We would like to thank Fatih Mehmet Mutlu and his colleagues at the Istanbul University, Cerrahpasha Medical Faculty Hospital for their organisation of the live surgery session on Saturday afternoon,†said Dr Bellucci. “I look forward to meeting as many colleagues as possible and am sure that you will enjoy the programme that we have arranged for you.â€