The biannual Scottish Ophthalmological Club (SOC) meeting took place on 21 February 2025 in the rolling hills of Stirling at the Stirling Court Hotel. Kindly hosted by NHS Forth Valley, the free paper session commenced after a cordial opening message from the SOC President, Donald Montgomery.
The presentations covered scope of all subspecialties starting from correlational studies of retinal detachment risk in myopes all the way to telemedicine service implementation in NHS Grampian. Peppered with amusing cartoons, Andrew Pyott’s talk closed the morning session with the milestones and future trajectories of cataract surgery training for registrars in Inverness.
Colourful optic nerve heads seen in a range of animals as observed by veterinary ophthalmologists.
The Highland showers and overcast skies did not dampen the lively conversations which took place in the adjacent hall amongst pastries and a wide range of pharmaceutical and surgical instruments sponsors. Among the assortment of posters decorating the auditorium were five posters selected to enter the SOC’s first photo poster prize, the Barry Cullen award. This was successfully awarded to Dr R Khalil for her work in asymmetrical intermediate uveitis in CTLA-4 haploinsufficiency.
In an auditorium amongst human ophthalmologists,Veterinary Ophthalmologist Josie Parker showcased the triumphs and challenges of ocular diseases management in animals ranging from domesticated felines and canines to conserved wildlife species such as rhinoceros and tucans. Notably, oculoplastic surgery in brachycephalic dogs such as pugs, St Bernard’s and Chow Chows yielded favourable outcomes which improve their visual outcomes and quality of life.
Cullen chart app developed by neurosurgeons in Edinburgh to aid rapid screening for visual field defects in sellar and parasellar tumours.
Following the annual general meeting for SOC members, several keynote speakers presented remarkable work in various specialist areas. Professor Fiona Rowe summarised the important ongoing work for orthoptics-delivered assessments and rehabilitation in patients after strokes. Thereafter, Neuro-ophthalmologist Gabriele Berman took audiences on an intellectually engaging tour of evidence-based treatment for non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, helpfully through the perspective of an imaginary patient.
The SOC welcomed Neurosurgeon Mark Hughes who dissected the history and evolution of transsphenoidal cranial base surgery for pituitary tumours. The simplicity and precision of the Cullen chart, pioneered by the notable Edinburgh neuro-ophthalmologist of which the SOC’s photo poster prize is posthumously named after, was highlighted as a useful tool to assess visual field defects present in sellar and parasellar tumours. Mr Hughes’ team have subsequently digitalised the perimetry test into an accessible smartphone app for clinicians to download and use in conveniently clinical practice.
Cinematic experience of 3D slit-lamp videography of a cataract surgery wearing 3D glasses with plenty of popcorn.
To conclude this eventful day, the final speakers ushered attendees into an eye-opening cinematic experience (both figuratively and literally) where they were offered 3D glasses and popcorn. Using three-dimensional stereoscopic slit-lamp videography, Iain Livingstone from NHS Forth Valley united fronts with Sunil Mamtora of the Bristol Eye Hospital to deliver a set of intriguing clinical cases. These included the immersive visualisation of necrotising scleritis, neovascular glaucoma, and the live-action replay of the removal of an intraocular foreign body under the 3D slit-lamp. The latter had spectators on the edge of their seats, holding their breaths in nail-biting suspense of its removal!
This successful spring conference gathered dedicated and forward-thinking ophthalmologists for yet another successful meeting, uniting clinicians from across the Scottish nation committed to advancing ophthalmic research and improving clinical services for their patients. The upcoming autumn meeting will be hosted by NHS Lothian on 19 September 2025 in Edinburgh.
