Apparently, I’ve been known to attend the occasional eye conference! I firmly believe that such events broaden the mind and help maintain a love of our specialty through community. There are many lessons to be learned at such congresses, and not always clinical…
Recently, I had the responsibility of speaking and co-chairing a symposium at one of the largest congresses in the world: ESCRS, in Copenhagen. While the speakers and subjects were fantastic, unfortunately the session was scheduled at 9am in a large, difficult-to-find, peripheral room, and the morning after many late-night dinners.
And so, I arrived, greeted by my co-moderator and just six other people. Total heartsink! After a quick chat, we decided to delay the start to see if more would turn up (thankfully they did). I decided to use this time to personally thank those in attendance for showing up. This broke the ice, and seemed to be appreciated, until I shook one person’s hand and he responded, “Thanks, but I have to be here – I work here!” Awkward! What could I do?! I tried to just laugh it off, told him he was still welcome, and we started the session. As we were leaving, I saw this individual standing at the door and I anticipated further embarrassment. However, he stopped me as I passed by, smiled, and said, “Thanks for including me – that never happens.”
As I reflected on this, I wondered how many times people are ‘lonely in a crowd’. They show up for work, but don’t feel acknowledged or valued. It’s such a simple thing to say hello, thank you and show that you care. Having value and meaning significantly improves the work environment, as in other walks of life. Similarly, moving beyond an attitude of “I have to be here” into a mentality of “I want to be here” can be transformational. Such an approach can be contagious. What a difference it could make if we were intentional in our support of those around us.
For Eye News Dec/Jan 2026, everyone should feel included and supported. Peter Cackett explores having the correct mindset to adversity in his latest interview with Lord David Blunkett, and Eye News introduces its first CPD-accredited article by Owais Fazal, who discusses semaglutide and vision loss as risk factors for NAION. Nicola Dunlop shares how blepharospasm significantly impacts quality of life. Tendai Gwenhure introduces new advanced level practice guidelines for ophthalmic nurses and there are Top Tips for congenital cataract, amongst other professional development features.
As a bonus, we have not one but two supplements – a ‘Special Focus: Paediatrics’ (guest editors Ian Christopher Lloyd and Lucy Barker), and ‘Residents & Trainees Supplement’ (guest editors Abdus Samad Ansari and Rebecca Turner). There are many book reviews, reports and previews of events (including UKISCRS' 12–14 November!) ensuring you have plenty of opportunities to engage positively with your colleagues.
I hope reading these Eye News articles encourages you to show up early, get involved, be inclusive and move from a ‘have to’ into a ‘want to’ mentality. In doing so, you may inspire others to do the same, whether intended or not! – DL
