Sit Down, Speak Up

Like most conferences, the World Ophthalmology Congress was held virtually this year. The event, which was supposed to take place in Cape Town, South Africa, still threw a spotlight on the country and the continent’s great talent. Although the pandemic put a stop to people physically attending, I like to think it encouraged (virtual) attendees to consider what’s going on elsewhere in the world; for example, Latin America.

Before the pandemic, Latin America showcased its talent and efforts through the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, which hosted monthly webinars from various countries. Though the webinars were very interesting, they took place at 6 or 7pm, when I was often too busy with patients or studying to benefit. Since Latin America went into lockdown, each country has been organizing its own webinar programs, starting with Peru – the first country to enforce a strict lockdown. And without surgery or school, I suddenly had time to watch them on an almost daily basis – and I found the content incredibly interesting.