Clinical Report: UKISCRS at 50

Overview

As UKISCRS marks its 50th anniversary, President Professor Dr. David Lockington describes a society focused on education, shared learning, and a close professional community. During his term, the Society broadened its speaker representation, expanded engagement with younger ophthalmologists, and reported growing congress attendance and industry participation.

Background

UKISCRS serves cataract and refractive surgeons in the United Kingdom and Ireland through regional meetings and an annual congress. Lockington describes its role as combining discussion of clinical developments with opportunities for informal mentorship and professional connection. The Society’s approach includes a single educational track and meeting sizes intended to support a shared experience. For clinical context, NICE’s adult cataract management guideline is undergoing planned updates concerning intraocular lens design, materials, and selection.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Lockington said the pandemic period reset expectations for ophthalmic congresses: online webinars raised awareness, and in-person events returned with renewed appetite for shared learning.
• UKISCRS has strengthened its social media presence to share information, encourage attendance, and increase engagement.
• The Society has broadened its national and international speaker base, with the stated aim of more inclusive and diverse representation on the podium.
• Its support for residents includes three years of free membership, skills-transfer dry labs, a dedicated Young Ophthalmologists Program, and prizes for free papers and video presentations.
• UKISCRS aims to maintain a community atmosphere through meeting sizes of around 150–200 delegates at regional days and 350–400 at the annual congress, with one educational track.
• The related conference report describes attendance from all four UK devolved nations and representation from several optical organizations at a UKISCRS meeting.

Clinical Implications

Lockington presents UKISCRS meetings as opportunities for cataract and refractive surgeons to discuss developments, learn from colleagues, and access informal mentorship. The Society’s resident-focused activities provide routes for younger ophthalmologists to participate and present work, according to the interview.

Conclusion

At its 50th anniversary, UKISCRS is described by its president as a growing society that combines clinical education with a deliberately close community. Its stated priorities include broad participation, support for younger ophthalmologists, and continued collaboration.

Related Resources & Content

1. The Ophthalmologist, Year not stated — UKISCRS at 50
2. NICE, 2017; surveillance May 20, 2025 — Cataracts in adults: management
3. the new optometrist, 2023 — Conference Report
4. ASCO Publications — OSIRIS: A Minimum Data Set for Data Sharing and Interoperability in Oncology
5. ASCO Publications — OSIRIS: A Minimum Data Set for Data Sharing and Interoperability in Oncology
6. ASCO Publications — Multi-institutional prostate cancer unit of Padova: Review of activity and performance indicators of the first 18 months after ISO9001 certification.
7. Overview | Cataracts in adults: management | Guidance | NICE
8. Conference Report
9. Intracameral moxifloxacin for endophthalmitis prophylaxis after cataract surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis - PMC