Young Ophthalmologists assemble: YOs get noticed at the SOE Congress in Vienna

Young ophthalmologists from across Europe and further afield met in Vienna in June to learn, share and exchange at SOE YO events. The YO Lounge in the congress center was always busy, and new sessions held in the Lounge included a miniexchange facilitation and a pub quiz-style competition to win wet lab course places. The well-attended YO Night Out sampled Vienna’s nightlife into the early hours. YO-led symposia shared surgical tips and discussed the challenges posed by the diversity of our training systems across Europe.

Personally, participating in these events was educational, fun and rewarding. Rewarding in part due to the success of the events, but mainly because of the clearly evident shift in attitudes of leaders in ophthalmology in Europe. The SOE board has strongly supported YO activities since SOE YO began, and now SOE YO have a seat at the table for board meetings and are an important part of the modern structure of the society. No longer do we just listen and do as we are told. We have important input into how the society runs and serves the needs of its members. Engaging the next generation of ophthalmologists and educating them is a key mission for SOE, and it wants to know from us how to best do this. YOs now also sit on the SOE Educational Committee, which serves a central role for SOE — the awarding of educational grants for residents and teachers to travel to another institution to learn. Every year more than 50 grants are awarded, and the impact of this on patient care is immeasurable.

Anthony Khawaja, MB BS, MA(Cantab), MPhil, FRCOphth

Huge challenges remain for ophthalmic education in many parts of Europe, and facilitating fellowship training for all Europeans is one of our next goals.

YO in Ocular Surgery News

The embracing of young ideas is infectious, with many organizations across Europe listening to their young membership and better addressing their needs. OSN Europe Edition is leading the way for YOs in publishing. The success of this column and the appreciation of the importance of engaging the younger generation have led to the formation of a YO Editorial Board for OSN Europe Edition. We had our first meeting in Vienna, exciting ideas were exchanged, and we hope to grow and deliver more relevant content to you. Our approach is open, and we always welcome new input and contributions.

If you were not able to be in Vienna this time around, come participate in Barcelona for the SOE Congress in 2017. Barcelona is a great city for YOs to enjoy while learning, with unique educational and professional opportunities. And if that seems a long way off, check out the second European Meeting of Young Ophthalmologists, which will be held next summer in Oviedo, Spain.

Finally, I want to acknowledge Théa, which supported our YO activities in Vienna and has supported many other YO events. Its support is completely unrestricted, and it prioritizes the help it gives to young groups. We are grateful! Happy holidays, everyone.

For more information:

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.

Disclosure: Khawaja is editor of the Young Ophthalmologist column and chair of the SOE Young Ophthalmologists committee.

Click here to read the full publication exclusive, The Young Ophthalmologist, published in Ocular Surgery News Europe Edition, July/August 2015.