Picture This: Photo Contest Winners

In anticipation of the ESCRS Congress in Copenhagen, ESCRS members were invited to capture and share special moments experienced in refractive or cataract surgery environments. The winners were offered free registration to next year’s Congress.

The top three winners reflect the art and science of cataract and refractive surgery. You can see the winning photos displayed at the Annual Congress in Copenhagen.

Corneal Rupture with Lens and Vitreous Protrusion Following NaOH Exposure

Li-Wen Chiu, Department of Ophthalmology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

A 50-year-old male presented to the ophthalmology clinic with acute eye pain and headache following sodium hydroxide (NaOH) exposure to his left eye. Diagnosis of chemical burn, grade 2 (OS), with ocular hypertension as initial impression was made based on elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) of 49 mmHg, inferior limbal ischemia, and an epithelial defect with haze in the inferonasal cornea noted in ophthalmic examination.

Treatment consisted of auto serum eye drops, topical betamethasone eye drops, amniotic membrane graft, and vitamin C supplementation. However, the ocular condition worsened, with progressive corneal melting, eventually leading to corneal rupture and protrusion of intraocular contents, including the uvea, lens, and vitreous. Immediate primary repair was performed using a scleral patch, and follow-up evaluations indicated stable ocular condition.

Honeycomb Epithelial Oedema Associated with Rho Kinase Inhibition

Giacomo Ambrosini, Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom

Reversible reticular corneal epithelial oedema developed after 1 week of treatment with netarsudil and latanoprost in a patient with a history of keratoplasty. It presented as moderate-sized superficial epithelial bullae in a honeycomb pattern. The oedema fully resolved within 10 days of discontinuation.

Unusual Congenital Cataract Presenting as a Saturn Ring Structure

Santiago Mercau, Dr Pedro Lagleyze Ophthalmology Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina

I decided to submit this picture because it illustrates a rare and visually striking presentation of a congenital cataract with annular opacities resembling planetary rings. The slit lamp image not only highlights the structural features of the lens abnormality but also provides an opportunity to capture the beauty and complexity of ocular pathology. It serves as a reminder that even in clinical findings, there is room for observation, teaching, and visual storytelling.