An international gathering of ophthalmologists convenedin Lisbon, a city famed for its intrepid explorers, at theofficial opening ceremony of the XXIII Congress of theESCRS.An enthusiastic crowd assembled in the mainauditorium of the city’s Centro de Congressos as arainbow of lights danced against a starry backdrop anddramatic music signalled the opening of the congress.

Richard Packard FRCS, FRCOphth played his traditionalrole as the master of ceremonies, greeting the assembly.

ESCRS president Professor Marie-Jose Tassignon MD nextwelcomed the delegates, giving particular thanks toPortuguese ESCRS Board members, past-president JoseCunha-Vaz MD and Joaquim Neto Murta MD, for theirhelp in organizing the meeting.

Professor Tassignon also thanked the Refractive ImplantSociety of Portugal (CIRP) and its current presidentIsabel Prieto MD for their enthusiastic assistance. DrPrieto welcomed the delegates to her country.

“This is a very prestigious occasion for us to be hostingsuch an important international conference. If you aretoo busy attending the conference to enjoy our sunshineand culture, I hope you will consider extending your visitor planning a return trip soon,” Dr Prieto told theassembly.

Professor Tassignon drew the attention of the delegatesto several highlights of the conference. She noted thatthis year’s Ridley Medal lecture by Patrick Condon FRCSI“Exploding myths in refractive surgery” should beparticularly stimulating.

She also gave the audience a quick update on ESCRSactivities that are focused on supporting and promotingclinical research. She reported that the ongoing ESCRSEndophthalmitis study would be completed in March2006, inviting people to pick up a complementary copy ofthe guidelines during the Congress.

She then announced that the ESCRS Board was makingfunds available to fund research projects.Applicationforms will be available online at www.escrs.org thisautumn, with a deadline for submissions of May 2006.Theawardees will be announced at next year’s Congress inLondon.

Professor Tassignon reminded the delegates of theupcoming 2006 ESCRS Winter Refractive Meeting inMonte Carlo, noting a new addition to that programme,Cornea Day.

The opening ceremony was followed by the awardsceremonies for 2005 ESCRS/Alcon video competition andfor the best posters in the cataract and refractivecategories.

Spotlight on the future

Lisbon, Portugal Monday 12th September

Now there’s a revolutionary

new way to leave glasses behind…

apodization.

Apodization is the unique

technology that gives cataract

patients a full range of vision.1

80% of pat ients achieved

spectacle f reedom for a l l

activities,1 and nearly 94% of

patients studied were so satisfied

they would have the procedure

again.1

Now patients can have what they want…

a better chance of leaving their glasses

behind.

www.AcrySofReSTOR.com

Reference: 1. Data on fi le, Alcon.

©2005 Alcon Laboratories, Inc. 4/05 RES26005

CAUTION: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician. INDICATIONS: The ACRYSOF® ReSTOR® Apodized Diffractive Optic Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens (IOL) is intended for primary implantation for the visual correction of aphakia secondary to removal of a cataractous lens in adult patients with and without presbyopia, who desire near, intermediate and distance vision with increased spectacle independence. The lens is intended to be placed in the capsular bag. WARNINGS: Careful preoperative evaluation and sound clinical judgment should be used by the surgeon to decide the risk/benefi t ratio before implanting a lens in a patient with any of the conditions described in the Directions for Use labeling. Some adverse reactions that have been associated with the implantation of intraocular lenses are: hypopyon, intraocular infection, acute corneal decompensation, macular edema, pupillary block, retinal detachment, and secondary surgical intervention (including but not limited to lens repositioning, biometry error, visual disturbances or patient dissatisfaction). As a result of the multifocality, some visual effects (halos or radial lines around point sources of light at night) may also be expected due to the superposition of focused and unfocused multiple images. A reduction in contrast sensitivity may also be experienced by some patients, especially in low lighting conditions such as driving at night. In order to achieve optimal visual performance with this lens, emmetropia must be targeted. Patients with signifi cant preoperative or expected postoperative astigmatism >1.0D may not achieve optimal visual outcomes. Care should be taken to achieve IOL centration, as lens decentration may result in a patient experiencing visual disturbances under certain lighting conditions. PRECAUTIONS: Do not resterilize; do not store over 45˚C; use only sterile irrigating solutions such as BSS® or BSS PLUS® Sterile Intraocular Irrigating Solutions. Clinical studies indicated that posterior capsule opacifi cation (PCO), when present, developed earlier into clinically signifi cant PCO. ATTENTION: Reference the Physician Labeling/Directions for Use for a complete listing of indications, warnings and precautions

59410AL.indd 1 9/1/05 7:49:42 PM

The ESCRS has reached an agreement with the European Society of RetinaSpecialists EURETINA to assume the administration of the Society includingmembership services and the organization of their annual congress.The 6thEURETINA Congress will be held in Lisbon, Portugal, September 18th – 20th 2006.

Pictured at the signing of the agreement are (l. to r.) Josep Guell, Secretary, ESCRS, Peter Barry,Treasurer ESCRS, Marie-Jose Tassignon, President, ESCRS, Gisbert Richard, Secretary General,EURETINA, and Jose Cunha-Vaz, local host for the 2006 conference.

ESCRS Congress opens in Lisbon

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