ESCRS Research Explores Clinical Issues Large and Small

In a few short years, the ESCRS has evolved from a regional organisation of cataract surgeons to a leading authority in international ophthalmology research, particularly projects involving the anterior segment. ESCRS has sponsored numerous landmark studies that have changed clinical practice worldwide. Indeed, keeping up with the number and reach of ESCRS research projects—past, present, and future—is becoming increasingly difficult. Let’s start the new year with a timely update.

ESCRS research projects take many forms, such as ongoing long-term registry studies (such as the European Registry of Quality Outcomes for Cataract and Refractive Surgery, EUREQUO), large clinical studies, and collaborative working groups addressing specific clinical questions as well as support for new, smaller-scale proposals that encourage young ophthalmologists to pursue research ideas in areas such as AI and sustainability.

“ESCRS supports high quality, evidence-based studies to drive innovation in ophthalmology. Our mission is to identify key challenges, foster global collaboration, and translate discoveries into real-world benefits for doctors and patients,” said Farhad Hafezi MD, PhD, incoming head of the ESCRS Research Committee.

Larger-scale projects have included the landmark ESCRS Endophthalmitis Study, the PREvention of Macular oEDema after cataract surgery (PREMED) study, and, more recently, the Effectiveness of Periocular drug Injection in CATaract surgery (EPICAT) study and the MYOPRED study (Influence of posterior vitreous detachment on retinal detachment after lens surgery).

Each of these studies provided evidence-based answers to some of the bigger questions in clinical ophthalmology and have helped transform practices worldwide—all with support from the ESCRS Clinical Research Award (CRA) programme.

The CRA is for bigger projects, multicentre pharmacological and device trials, and surgical techniques as well as studies looking at bigger topics such as outcomes, where a lot of money is involved, explained incoming ESCRS president Burkhard Dick MD, PhD.

The CRAs also aim to engage and encourage the networking potential of the ophthalmic clinical community across the European Union with the common aim of improving both patient care and clinical outcomes, he noted.

ESCRS also supports research focused on existing published material. The Systematic Review Award (SRA) programme encourages the development of high-quality reviews of cataract and refractive surgery literature, following the methodology of the Cochrane Library reviews.

Young ophthalmologist opportunities

The Society offers a wealth of opportunities for researchers in the early stages of their careers. The Pioneer Research Award programme, for example, supports ophthalmologists younger than 45 who are just starting their independent clinical research.

The Pioneer Research Award aims to support and encourage independent clinical research in the field of cataract and refractive surgery, providing up to €50,000 for a single project lasting up to two years.

Young ophthalmologists are also eligible for several ESCRS-sponsored fellowships, including the Peter Barry Fellowship, which provides support for research abroad, as does the ESCRS/Alcon Fellowship. Additionally, ESCRS supports a fellowship in partnership with the European Society for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology (ESASO).

Be SURE about sustainability

A new programme, the Sustainability Research (SURE) Award, aims to promote sustainable practices in all areas of eye care. Ophthalmologists, ophthalmic nurses, and clinical researchers, especially those in the early stages of their careers, can apply for grants to support efforts to reduce waste, improve workflows, and implement innovative new protocols.

Ophthalmology is at the forefront of the current digital transformation of healthcare, as evidenced by another new ESCRS programme, the Digital Research Awards. These awards support research projects that use AI to improve diagnostics, personalise treatments, and enhance patient care.

The ESCRS Digital Health Special Interest Group builds on this commitment by creating online resources to support digital research. Resources now include a searchable online database of links to existing open-access image data sets relevant to cataract, cornea, and refractive surgery.

The ESCRS is playing an increasing role in establishing clinical standards and guidelines, with the last two years seeing several important studies emerge. This includes the publication of the ESCRS Cataract Surgery Guidelines, the ESCRS Functional Vision Working Group on Simultaneous Vision IOL Classification, and the successful collaboration between the ESCRS and ASCRS to better define the diagnosis and treatment of astigmatism.^1–3

“Scientific progress does not happen in isolation. ESCRS brings together researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to drive innovation in ophthalmology,” Dr Hafezi said. “By encouraging early career researchers, we are investing in the future of ophthalmic research.”

More information on all these ESCRS research projects can be found on the research portal, www.escrs.org/research.

1. ESCRS Cataract Surgery Guidelines, https://www.escrs.org/escrs-guideline-for-cataract-surgery/

2. Ribeiro F, et al. J Cataract Refract Surg, 2024 Aug; 50(8): 794–798.

3. Kohnen T, et al. J Cataract Refract Surg, 2025 Jun 1; 51(6): 440–446.