The specialty of medical retina is evolving. Initially, limited to pattern recognition and in later times, laser treatment, the past 20 years has seen an explosion of intravitreal therapies and a very rich pipeline resulting in sight-saving outcomes and hope for millions affected by retinal diseases. Despite constituting the largest subspecialty in ophthalmology, there has never been a national group or society supporting the community of medical retina specialists in the UK until now.
The British and Eire Association of Medical Retina Specialists (BEAMS) is a newly established national society dedicated to advancing the field of medical retina across the UK and Ireland. BEAMS is a registered charity and free to join, providing a professional home for medical retina specialists, associate specialists, specialist doctors, and resident doctors with an interest in medical retina.
Why BEAMS?
One of BEAMS’ central goals is to provide a strong, supportive community for those working in medical retina. Retina services are under unprecedented pressure. In an era of rapid therapeutic advances, hospital-to-community shift, growing patient demand and evolving commissioning, BEAMS offers a platform where members can share expertise, debate emerging challenges and collaborate on solutions. It is a forum for healthy discussion, where perspectives are tested, views challenged and new ideas shaped.
BEAMS was founded to:
- Promote excellence in care through sharing best practice and developing guidance.
- Provide a strong, supportive community for those working in medical retina.
- Provide education and training via meetings, workshops, and CPD events.
- Facilitate research and innovation, supporting collaborative projects.
- Advocate for our patients and services, ensuring specialists influence national policy.
But BEAMS is more than a professional body — it is a forum for healthy debate, where colleagues can expect to have their views challenged, broaden perspectives, and shape the future of our specialty together.
What’s happening now
Our first strategy meeting was held in April 2025, attended by 40 medical retina specialists from across the country. We are now looking ahead to our first national meeting, to be held in Birmingham on 24 April 2026. Registration is open now via www.beams-retina.org.uk, with places limited and the programme to follow.
Join us
Whether you are an established consultant, associate specialist, or a doctor in training, BEAMS offers a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and contribute to the growth of our field. Together, we can build a stronger community for medical retina and deliver better care for our patients.
