ESCRS Masterclass - Complex Cataract
Applications are now open - Deadline: Friday 15th May 2026
The Complex Cataract Surgery Masterclass aims to increase cataract surgeons’ confidence in tackling more complex cases and to equip them with guidelines for managing complications when they occur.
As most surgeons learn to perform cataract surgery, they build confidence during routine cases. However, many situations may make cataract surgery more complex. As with all intraocular procedures, unexpected complications can occur.
This Masterclass programme will include the following:
- Assignment to a mentor to support questions and provide advice throughout the programme
- Personalised WhatsApp groups with direct access to a mentor
- Four virtual modules focused on topics identified below
- Four interactive webinars with all mentors and students to summarise each module and answer any questions
- Case review grand rounds in London on Thursday, September 10 (attendance required)
- In-person half-day wet labs and dry labs workshops in London, either on Thursday, September 10, or Friday, September 11 (required attendance)
Participants who complete all components of the Masterclass and pass the exam will receive a certificate of completion. The cost to participate in this programme is €250, payable upon acceptance. All participants are required to be present and participate in all live Masterclass components. All travel costs will be borne by the Applicant.
This comprehensive Masterclass aims to cover complex surgeries and complicated cases, including the following:
- Cornea – opacities of various causes, endothelial issues, optimising visibility during cataract surgery, when to use adjunctive corneal surgery
- Iris and pupil – Uveitic cataract, small pupil, and IFIS, iris defects (congenital and acquired)
- Capsule abnormalities – capsular fibrosis, atopic cataract, Morgagnian cataract
- Zonular issues – Congenital problems, traumatic zonulysis, iatrogenic zonulysis
- The cataractous lens – soft cataracts, intumescent cataracts, hard cataracts, posterior polar cataracts
- Cataract surgery in long and short eyes
- Cataract surgery in post vitrectomy eyes
- Wound problems – too long, too short, too wide
- Capsular issues – rhexis run out and rescue, Argentine flag sign, capsular fibrosis
- Iatrogenic iris damage
- Dropping and dropped nucleus
- Ruptured posterior capsule – with nucleus pieces still present, without vitreous loss, with vitreous loss, small breaks, large breaks
- IOL implantation with PCR – with capsule, with no capsule
Target Learner
The Complex Cataract Masterclass is primarily targeted towards cataract surgeons who are:
- Nearing the end of their training, or early in their post-training career, with approximately
300 cases as primary surgeon - Wishing to extend the range of cataracts that they feel comfortable tackling more complex cases
- Concerned about their ability to deal with complications which may occur in more complex cases
Selection of participants
• Applications are submitted through the Complex Cataract ESCRS Masterclass online application form and should include a detailed CV.
• Applications are reviewed by the Masterclass Faculty. Priority will be given to surgeons who best fit the targeted audience parameters identified above
This Masterclass aims to comprehensively cover complex surgeries related to:
- Cornea – opacities of various causes, endothelial issues, optimising visibility during cataract surgery, when to use adjunctive corneal surgery
- Iris and pupil – Uveitic cataract, small pupil, and IFIS, iris defects (congenital and acquired)
- Capsule abnormalities – capsular fibrosis, atopic cataract, Morgagnian cataract
- Zonular issues – Congenital problems, traumatic zonulysis, iatrogenic zonulysis
- The cataractous lens – soft cataracts, intumescent cataracts, hard cataracts, posterior polar cataracts
- Cataract surgery in long and short eyes
- Cataract surgery in post-vitrectomy eyes
- Wound problems – too long, too short, too wide
- Capsular issues – rhexis run out and rescue, Argentine flag sign, capsular fibrosis
- Iatrogenic iris damage
- Dropping and dropped nucleus
- Ruptured posterior capsule – with nucleus pieces still present, without vitreous loss, with vitreous loss, small breaks, large breaks
- IOL implantation with PCR – with capsule, with no capsule
The Complex Cataract Masterclass is primarily targeted toward cataract surgeons who are:
- Nearing the end of their training or early in their post-training career, with approximately 300 cases as primary surgeon
- Wishing to extend the range of cataracts they feel comfortable tackling
- Concerned about their ability to deal with complications that may occur in more complex cases
Applications are submitted through the ESCRS Masterclass online application form and should include a detailed CV.
Applications are reviewed by the Masterclass Faculty. Priority will be given to surgeons who best fit the targeted audience parameters identified above.
Complex Cataract Masterclass - Mentors
Faculty
Amir Agarwal
Michael Amon
Ehud Assia
Ahmed Assaf
Allon Barsam
Roberto Bellucci
Lucio Buratto
Sergio Canabrava
Carlo Carlevale
Arup Chakrabarti
Iva Dekaris
Socha Ni Dhubhghaill
Sri Ganesh
Jose Guell
Soosan Jacob
David Lockington
Boris Malyugin
Richard Packard
Vladimir Pfeifer
Ana Prinz
Paul Rosen
Sathish Srinavasan
Marie-Jose Tassignon
Abhay Vasavada
Ronald Yeoh