RCOphth Annual Congress 2026

Here it is, folks: our RCOphth Annual Congress 2026 Preview. Ahead of our trip down to Manchester between 18–21 May, we thought we would offer our two cents towards the who, what, where and when of the programme. As always with such an extensive line-up, we’re thrilled to have spotted so many friends of the magazine who will be presenting their educational wares to the delegation. We’ll be name dropping quite a few of them below, while also highlighting some of our ‘off-script’ gems on and off the programme. But first, the basis…

When? 18–21 May 2026

Where? Manchester Central Convention Complex, Petersfield, M2 3GX

Registration:  https://rcocongress26.eventreference.com/register

Monday 18 May

Opening with the President’s Welcome from Professor Ben Burton, day one has a little something for everyone, covering everything from translational research and corneal toxicity to acute paediatric oculoplastics and how to get into aesthetics as a side hustle. Here are who we’ll be looking out for:

• 10:05–11:05: The Strabismus for Exams (and Life) session opens up, featuring Liz Tomlin discussing ‘10 Top tips for exams (and clinics)’
• 11:30–13.00: Rb-NET: The impact of the largest global health collaboration follows in parallel sessions, in which Ido Didi Fabian presents on the global partnerships in health and its impact through the Global Rb Studies
• 11:30–13:00: The dry eye patient journey: Pearls for navigating the options of care will be taking place alongside Rb-NET, and our Dry Eye Supplement editor, Andrena McElvanney, will discuss ‘Psychological aspects of dry eye disease’
• 14:00–15:30: The African Ophthalmology Council symposium will host Michael Mikhail speaking about ‘Building vitreoretinal capacity in Rwanda: Clinical experience and training’
• 14.00–15.30: Finishing the first day off for us will be the Survive, grow, thrive: The first five years as a consultant session, which sees Sana Hamid co-chair the presentations, in which we’ll also hear from Hari Jayaram on how to grow throughout such formative years

Tuesday 19 May

Again, day two will leave you wondering where to go next, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Starting early on Tuesday, our suggestion would be to kick off with:

• 09:05–10:35: Reading the retina: Tips & tricks for interpreting images across pathologies session plays host to Tariq Aslam, who will be presenting on ‘OCT-A on top: When angiography pops with insight’
• 11:30–12:30: The Advanced clinical practitioner in ophthalmology session follows, outlining the structured educational and training pathways underpinning ACP practice
• 14:30–15:30: Technology comes into focus next in the Using the apps to bridge the gaps session, which sees Sunil Mamtora discussing ‘Video slit-lamp assisted referrals’
• 16:00–17:30: Closing the second day, Professor Dan Lindfield shares his knowledge of ‘The Glaucoma View - Up-to-Date management of the ciliary-cleft-related hypotony’ as part The supra-choroidal space: A powerhouse for emerging glaucoma and retinal therapies session

We'll be at Stand D42

For us, the biggest value of attending conferences such as this is getting to meet you all in person. Throughout the many events we attend each year, we are so incredibly lucky to bump into faces new and old – friends of the magazine who have known it since before our time, and the trainees and students who will be shaping ophthalmic practice well after we’ve left. So, when you’re meandering around the exhitbition floor, make sure you pop by and say hello. We’ll be at Stand D42!

Wednesday 20 May

The third day of Congress maintains an impressive line-up of speakers, with some headliners taking to the podium. You DO NOT WANT TO MISS the following:

• 09:05–10:35: The Medicolegal session starts our proceedings on day three, featuring an introduction from our medicolegal section editor, Amar Alwitry, who goes on to deliver an interactive case-based discussion
• 09:05–10:35: Seema Anand will be taking part in the Cataract surgery in eyes with corneal pathology session and presenting on ‘Optimising the ocular surface before cataract surgery’
• 11:00–12:30: Christina Rennie asks, “Can I divorce my colleagues?” in her session which explores Managing breakdown in departmental relationships. Well-equipped to lead this topic, Christina also edits our Wellbeing Supplement
• 11:00–12:30: During the research-heavy, Advances in proteomics and metabolomics session, Neeru Vallabh will present on ‘Omics research in anterior segment’
• 16:00–17:30: Rounding off the third day, Evelyn Mensah participates in the Breaking barriers: Addressing diversity, ethnicity, and inequalities in ophthalmology session, asking ‘Do you feel as if you belong?’

Thursday 21 May

The last day of Congress will see the regular ‘Days’ taking place, focusing on retina, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology and paediatrics, featuring the likes of Sohaib Rufai and Leon Au. Check out the main programme here for more information on these and all of the above.

#AspireOphth 2026 Competition

You read it here: we’ll be running our fifth edition of the #AspireOphth competition, in which participants are invited to share a social media post with an image which accurately reflects their aspirations in ophthalmology.

One winning entry will be picked during our time at Congress and the winner will receive a copy of Sohaib Rufai’s essential textbook, MCQs for FRCOphth Part 1 (2023), which features 450 MCQs spread evenly across five sections, with detailed solutions and explanations, helpful figures, as well as three mock exams, and further reading to aid self-assessment. Keep an eye on our social media coverage for updates and get your cameras ready! For more information, click here.

Sohaib Rufai (left) and 2025 #AspireOphth winner Owais Tahhan (right) in Liverpool, RCOphth Congress 2025.