Meetings and Conferences for Trainees
In addition to attending School of Ophthalmology study days, there are many opportunities for attending high quality regional and national meetings.
Meetings and Covid 19: All of the regional and national societies are closely monitoring advice given by the government and health organisations. Most have taken the decision to cancel or postpone meetings. We recommend looking at each society’s website pages for the latest updates and announcements.
Below are details of a several ophthalmology societies that run regular meetings.
Regional Societies
North of England Ophthalmological Society (NEOS)
Membership of NEOS costs only £25 per year, by standing order, but offers many trainee benefits. The NEOS membership year runs 01st Oct - 30th Sept. This includes free attendance at three meetings per year, the opportunity to present and compete for presentation prizes worth £250. There is also a new, generous international conference fellowship. The website is here and the link to join is here. NEOS meetings are often incorporated into the postgraduate teaching calendar. Membership is highly recommended and requests for study leave to attend will be looked upon favourably.
Spring meeting - March - Oral presentation competition
Summer meeting - June - Poster competition
Autumn meeting - November - Video competition
Yorkshire Retina Society (YRS)
Membership of YRS is also £25 per year, by standing order. The YRS membership year runs from January to December (irrespective of when you join).
To request a membership application form, please contact the Society: info@yorkshireretinasociety.com
There are two meetings per year, in the summer and winter.
UK Conferences
National meetings should be applied for, as for any study leave, with educational supervisor and deanery approval. Requests are more likely to be approved if the applicant is presenting at the meeting, or a senior trainee.
RCOphth Annual Congress: May - Website
Oxford Congress: July - Website
BIPOSA (British and Irish Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Association): October Website
BEAVRS (British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons): November Website
BOPSS (British Oculoplastic Surgery Society) : June Website
UKISCRS (UK and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons): October/November - Website Trainee membership is free and includes ESCRS membership
BEECS (British Emergency Eye Care Society) : September Website
International Conferences
International meetings require study leave approval by direct application to the Head of School. The letter/email should include details of educational objectives and what the trainee will be presenting. It is highly unlikely to be approved if the trainee is not presenting at the meeting. If approval is given, reimbursement will not be cover all expenses, but a grant may be offered towards the costs directly incurred from attending the meeting.
Main European meetings
Autumn - Euretina - European Society of Retina Specialists
Autumn - ESCRS - European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
May - EGS - European Glaucoma Society
June - SOE - European Society of Ophthalmology
Main North American meetings
Autumn - AAO - American Academy of Ophthalmology
Spring - ARVO - The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology