Hear Ye, Hear Ye: ESCRS Annual Congress is coming to London!

September has always been an important month for ESCRS, and this year promises to be truly unique. The 2026 ESCRS Annual Congress is coming to London, and it is expected to be the biggest, most international, and most diversified Congress ever.

As ESCRS President, I am proud of the programme that we have developed and am very much looking forward to welcoming colleagues from all over the world. London, a city born of science, medicine, and global interaction, is an ideal stage for a Congress that pays tribute to our history while looking ahead to the future.

Education and scientific exchange remain the foundation of all we do. Delegates can explore cutting-edge evidence through our Main and Clinical Research Symposia, Near Live Surgery, video sessions, wet labs, free papers, and presented posters. More than 100 instructional courses—with 688 presentations covering surgery for every specialty, optics, retina therapy, artificial intelligence, practice management, and more—will be waiting.

One of my key priorities is to design Congress formats that are scientifically sound as well as interactive and memorable. I am very excited about one of these innovations, created especially for London: Global Saves in 3D. It will feature challenging surgical cases, where experience, wisdom, and composure turn potential complications into success. The 3D format will take attendees as close as possible to those high-pressure moments.

The Operating Room Microscope Showdown will allow attendees to compare available surgical visualisation techniques and their effect on the quality of surgical procedure, ergonomics, and decision making.

Artificial intelligence will be one of the key themes of the Congress. During our AI Summit, we will discuss not only the huge potential of this technology but also its responsibilities in terms of patient care and validation.

The Global Refractive Summit will bring together outstanding international faculty to debate emerging trends and challenges in refractive surgery—from surgical techniques to diagnostics and outcomes.

The fifth annual ESCRS iNovation Day will once again provide a dynamic platform for surgeons, researchers, industry representatives, entrepreneurs, and investors to shape the future of eye care. Delegates can listen to engaging debates, learn about new technologies, and meet people with ideas that can transform ophthalmology.

At the World Café roundtables, delegates can discuss clinical cases and practical issues with experts and colleagues. The parliamentary-style Arena Debates will address controversial questions in cataract and refractive surgery. A live vote will show how the discussion can influence opinions in the room.

These formats reflect one of the core principles of ESCRS: we should not be afraid of constructive disagreement. Evidence-based and respectful debate is one of the main drivers of progress.

As exciting as the programme is, I encourage you to do more than attend scientific sessions. The Congress is a great opportunity to meet colleagues and make friends from all over the world, listen to new voices, challenge assumptions, and celebrate the engaging international community that ESCRS has become.

While selected Congress sessions will be accessible through our online platforms and covered in EuroTimes, I strongly encourage you to attend the Congress in person.

Come to London to enjoy the science. Come for innovation, ideas, debates, and new formats. But most importantly, come to enjoy and engage with the ESCRS community.

London is calling. I look forward to seeing you there!

H Burkhard Dick

President, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons