2015 looks bright for young ophthalmologists

2014 was a successful year for young ophthalmologists around Europe and the globe. Ophthalmic organizations at national and supranational levels are realizing the importance of engaging their younger members, meeting their needs and encouraging their participation. Not only are we the next generation of practicing ophthalmologists and keen to have a say on our future, we offer a fresh perspective on current issues, the value of which is being realized. I would like to share with you my personal highlights of 2014 and what I am looking forward to this year for YOs in Europe.

OSN Europe Edition column for YOs

The establishment of this column reflects the desire of OSN Europe Edition to engage its younger audience, and the excellent readership figures support the fact that YOs are interested in broader issues that affect them other than their immediate training commitments. Articles have included experiences of YOs undertaking a fellowship abroad, innovative YOs developing new technologies and techniques, and YOs given leadership roles within their national organizations and establishing YO subsections and standalone meetings. OSN Europe Edition is eager to embrace the great response from its readership and is establishing a YO Editorial Board to further develop relevant and interesting content. We always welcome suggestions and contributions, so if you are a YO and want to be involved, then get in touch.

Education Without Borders at WOC

“Education Without Borders” was the theme of the YO session at the World Ophthalmology Congress in Tokyo last year. This was a collaborative session of the YO groups of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, Japanese Ophthalmological Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology and European Society of Ophthalmology and, for me, was a testimony to the dedication of supranational societies to support their young members and how passionate YOs are about collaborating internationally. Topics included pearls and pitfalls for arranging a fellowship abroad, harmonizing education and standards between countries, and learning, practicing and sharing in the digital age. Work is already underway preparing the YO session for the next WOC meeting in Mexico in 2016 (www.woc2016.org).

YOs have their say at NOK 2014

Following many other national, supranational and subspecialty societies, the Nordic Congress of Ophthalmology (NOK) established its first YO group — the YO brand continues its expansion! There were well attended YO-tailored sessions and a reception at the congress in Stockholm. The next NOK will be in June 2016 in Aarhus, Denmark (www.nok2016.com).

Inaugural European Meeting of YOs

The first entire congress devoted to YOs in Europe took place in Porto, Portugal, in July 2014. It was attended by more than 200 European YOs. The meeting consisted of a series of lectures and workshops on ophthalmic surgery pitched for residents in their early years of training. The lectures were delivered by prominent and established European young ophthalmic surgeons. SOE President Stefan Seregard, MD, PhD, congratulated the organizers and expressed the wish that these meetings become a tradition. Plans for the next meeting in 2016 are now underway, and we will be highlighting the meeting in a future issue of OSN Europe Edition.

SOE YO in Vienna in June

Last year was a busy year for the European Society of Ophthalmology(SOE) YOs. As well as the multiple events at internationalcongresses, 2014 saw the introduction of the SOE YO newsletter,archives of which are available on the SOE webpage (soevision.org/yo). Preparations are underway for the SOE Congress in Vienna in June. The meeting promises to be the most relevant for YOs yet. Formal YO sessions include “Essential surgical skills – top tips for YOs” and “Training diversity in Europe – challenges for standardization in ophthalmology training.” There will also be less formal discussions and meet the experts in the YO Lounge, including sessions on the EBO exam and a chance to meet your SOE YO national representative. The YO Night Out will be a fun opportunity to sample nightlife in Vienna while meeting fellow YOs away from the congress center.

Anthony P. Khawaja, MB BS, MA(Cantab), MPhil, FRCOphth, can be reached at Moorfields Eye Hospital, 162 City Road, London EC1V 2PD, UK; email: anthony. khawaja@gmail.com.

SOE Young Ophthalmologists website: http://soevision.org/yo

Disclosure: Khawaja is the chair of the SOE Young Ophthalmologists committee.