Vox Dox

EuroTimes 2021— Are Live Conferences Worth the Trouble?

The last 18 months had a great impact on online education. Webinars were popping up everywhere, and the demand was huge during lockdown. For me, as a resident in the third year, this really was a chance to have access to loads of online material.

The pros are obvious: Online education is barrier free, no additional costs for travelling, and still international exchange is possible thanks to easily accessible technology. So, why even attend a live congress? Is it worth it? The answer after visiting ESCRS 2021 is clear: Yes, it was absolutely worth it.

As a co-organiser of many webinars and a fully held online congress in 2020 (Ophthalmology Congress, Linz, Austria), I am an advocate for this type of knowledge exchange. Still, human interaction cannot be reduced to a screen. Since I haven’t visited any international congresses during the pandemic, the attendance at the ESCRS 2021 convinced me about the importance of on-site events. Is there anything nicer than having a coffee with colleagues after a great lecture to exchange ideas and thoughts? Running into friends, mentors, idols, and meeting new people really strengthens our community and makes this meeting so exciting.

Holding the Congress at the RAI-centre Amsterdam offered advantages regarding a very easy connectivity to the city and the airport as well a spacious congress hall making it possible to hold several lectures simultaneously. The Congress was well organised—I could easily orientate and filter out significant lectures. The programme itself offered a wide range of lectures, talks, and courses throughout the four days and sometimes made it hard for me to decide where to go.

Starting Friday, I first visited the lecture by Prof Gerd Auffarth, “There is no free lunch in optics.” A brilliant and comprehensive lecture by this year’s Binkhorst Medal winner, his enthusiasm was infectious. It was followed by the Main Symposium, “Managing Herpetic Keratitis,” giving a clinically relevant and structured overview—information I can make use of in my routine. The video sessions on Saturday (“You make the call”) and Sunday (“Getting into trouble”) were very entertaining and made the Congress even more diverse. Also, the Young Ophthalmologists sessions were very interesting and helpful. In summary, a colourful mix was put together and there was something for everyone.

“Real” interactions with companies are much more vivid than in online appearances. Obviously, it’s not just the raw information and the numbers that count and can be looked up by anyone online in a brochure. It is about seeing and touching products and instruments and maybe even visiting a wet lab and trying a new phaco machine. The satellite symposia also gave scientific insight on newly designed IOLs and products.

As a balance to a long day at the ESCRS, Amsterdam offered numerous off-site activities with a variety of restaurants and bars. This is a buzzing, lively city with international character. Strolling through the streets of this city is worth it.

I am very glad to have attended this year’s meeting and am looking forward for the 40th anniversary of ESCRS next year.

Haidar Khalil MD Kepler University Clinic, Linz, Austria

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#EyeFamily— Reflections on Clinical Conferences

“Are you going to the ESCRS Congress? I can’t be bothered…” This sentiment echoed in many conversations around ophthalmic departments in the UK when the invitation to attend the first in-person European clinical conference for nearly two years arrived. With a range of presentations and posters accepted and a speaking engagement, I always intended to go and support my trainees as they also delivered their talks. However, even they had become reluctant to attend in person! COVID restrictions and concerns had changed attitudes, and constantly changeable travel rules rendered the whole trip unattractive to some. As I checked and re-checked the multitude of paperwork required to both enter and leave Amsterdam, such thoughts also crossed my mind—why am I doing this? Is Zoom not easier? How do I put on a tie again?!

Having negotiated government websites, travel guidance, and the jeopardy associated with pre-flight COVID testing, finally getting into a taxi at Schiphol airport felt an achievement by itself. Receiving my name badge following passport and vaccine status checks prior to entering the conference venue will certainly account for some managerial CPD points at my next appraisal! Despite these minor impositions, it was reassuring to know that my health (and that of others) was being protected by the organisers. However, I don’t think I had emotionally prepared myself adequately for entering the arena, which was a totally surreal moment. People had smiles, not obscured by masks! Hugs and handshakes abounded as delegates re-connected with each other and the industry. Dinner plans were made, and tourist locations recommended. Although the in-person delegate numbers were lower than normal, this was not a negative, as it permitted more opportunities to see and speak to “the great and the good” in the world of ophthalmology. There was the wide programme of educational content as always, but with sufficient time to grab some lunch and wander around the trade exhibition, looking for friends and colleagues, and even engage in “Selfies with the Stars” to document on social media! From the big-name speaker to the first-time attendee, everyone had space and time to learn and share with each other.

As I returned to Schiphol to make my journey home, I took time to pause and reflect on the true purposes of such conferences. In-person conferences permit a break from your normal work constraints and provide you space to expand your horizons. You can attend a range of clinical talks to confirm or challenge your clinical practice. New technologies and techniques can be engaged with, and your patients will benefit when you learn from someone else’s learning curve, avoiding similar difficulties. Even attending some of the Young Ophthalmologists’ sessions helped me refine my teaching strategies. Furthermore, I have always taken the opportunity at conferences to approach a podium speaker or expert and ask them informally for their advice on a complex clinical case I might have. This type of peer discussion is good for our patients, and we have all missed out on that extra opinion over the past few years. Such interactions are often the first steps in developing clinical networks and supportive mentorships, and certainly laid the foundations for my eventual corneal fellowship in New Zealand more than eight years ago.

Ultimately, engaging in person with friends and colleagues again was cathartic and a small glimpse of what normal life can be like—it was good to have been there. Some of the most difficult circumstances of the pandemic have involved restrictions that prevented us from visiting and supporting friends and family. People are made for people, and attending this ESCRS Congress in Amsterdam clearly demonstrated that ophthalmology is a community at heart. It is always worth the effort to stay connected with your relatives, and I am glad I bothered to make the time to be with my international Eye Family. Hope to see you at our next reunion!

Dr David Lockington MB, BCh, BAO (Hons), FRCOphth, PhD practices at the Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology, Glasgow, UK. davidlockington@hotmail.com