Winterthur wows again! The 2nd WOS dazzled the eye care world with cutting-edge ophthalmology and Swiss flair.
The 2nd Winterthur Ophthalmology Symposium (WOS) took place on March 14 and 15, 2025, at the Casinotheater in Winterthur, Switzerland.
This year’s event was larger and more impressive than the inaugural symposium, which set the stage for a promising future. Spanning two days, the symposium featured distinguished speakers from Europe, South Africa and the USA.
Winterthur is conveniently situated just 15 minutes from Zurich, and the idea for the conference was conceived by the brilliant Guber brothers: Ivo, a cornea and cataract surgeon, and Josef, a vitreoretinal surgeon.
Day One
The first day commenced with a session dedicated to medical and surgical retina, emphasizing diabetic retinopathy, which was undoubtedly a key highlight of the agenda. This was followed by three thematic sessions:
- Current Developments in Glaucoma, chaired by Prof. Marc Toeteberg-Harms (USA)
- Corneo-Plastics, led by Dr. Nikolina Budimlija (Ireland)
- Neuroophthalmology, chaired by Dr. Mathias Abegg (Switzerland)
READ MORE: A New Interventional Glaucoma Consensus Protocol Has Arrived
The corneo-plastics session was an unprecedented combination of topics. Understanding that eyelid malposition and corneal conditions, along with their respective surgeries, impact the ocular surface, this session proved to be highly relevant in the modern ophthalmic landscape.
Two outstanding presentations were delivered by corneal expert Dr. Johnson Yan Ning Neo (UK), who discussed persistent epithelial defects, and Dr. Enrica Sarnicola (Italy), who focused on stem cell transplantation for the ocular surface.
The remaining four presentations featured oculoplastic surgeons: Dr. Mohammad Dehabadi (UK), who addressed fornix reconstruction, Dr. Melissa Toyos (USA), who spoke on hair restoration for eyelashes and eyebrows, Dr. Liudmyla Petric (Switzerland), who described common ocular surface disorders; and Dr. Nikolina Budimlija, who discussed salivary gland transplantation for severe dry eyes. The extensive discussion that followed highlighted a strong interest in the topic, indicating promising prospects for future meetings.
A significant highlight of the first day was the keynote lecture by Dr. Frank Goes (Belgium), who explored the evolution of gene therapy in ophthalmology. Additionally, Prof. Hendrik Scholl (Switzerland) introduced new gene therapies targeting macular diseases.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in various wet labs that provided hands-on training in cataract surgery, vitreoretinal techniques and ICL implantation, guided by renowned eye surgeons and educators such as Dr. Johann Krüger (South Africa), Dr. Steven Harsum (UK), Dr. Fabian Gielen (Germany), Dr. Marc Toeteberg-Harms (USA) and Dr. Pascal Hasler (Switzerland).
An industry lunch symposium, sponsored by Oftamedic (Grand Lancy, Switzerland), offered insights into the JETT Plasma device for treating dry eye and the advanced Lucidis refractive extended depth of focus intraocular lens (EDOF-IOL).
Another notable moment of the day was the presentation by Dr. Rolando Toyos (USA), who addressed dry eye disease and introduced innovative diagnostic and therapeutic tools, including C.Diag (Lumibird Medical; Lannion, France), a sophisticated diagnostic device for dry eye and ocular surface conditions, and C.Stim (Lumibird Medical; Lannion, France), a patented intense pulsed light (IPL) handpiece designed for various skin types. Furthermore, Dr. Samer Hamada (UK) showcased the OptiLIGHT IPL device from Lumenis (Yokneam, Israel).
This year marked the inaugural presentation of two awards. The first was for the best conference presentation, which was awarded to Dr. Johnson Yan Ning Neo, while the Otto Haab Medal for exceptional contributions to ophthalmology was presented to Dr. Johann Krüger.
The Night for Sight gala dinner featured an array of captivating performances in the stunning ballroom of the Casinotheater Winterthur. The Eulachschränzer carnival band entertained guests with authentic Swiss Guggenmusik, followed by the smooth sounds of Sax o’congo, showcasing the delightful vocals of Nyssina—truly a highlight of jazz excellence!
The dance floor came alive with Caromelle, a skilled resident ophthalmologist who is also emerging as a talented DJane, collaborating with DJ MO:RIA for a live set straight from Ushuaïa Ibiza.
Day Two
The second day of the conference focused on presbyopia, cataract and refractive surgery, featuring an all-star lineup of speakers, including Dr. Mayank Nanavaty (UK), Dr. David Lockington (Scotland), Dr. Paul Ursell (UK), Dr. Jérôme Bovet (Switzerland), Dr. Erika Eskina (Germany) and others.
READ MORE: Genetic Keys to Age-Related Cataracts: New Pathways Unlocked
The event also provided valuable networking opportunities, enabling attendees to engage with peers and experts from Switzerland and across the globe, promoting discussions on the latest developments and innovations in the field of ophthalmology.
A group of conference attendees, spearheaded by the Guber brothers, embarked on their customary ski trip following the conference, this time to the enchanting Zermatt. It’s a fantastic opportunity to blend professional connections with social interactions.
The 3rd WOS promises to be even more expansive, so be sure to seize on this incredible experience!
Editor’s Note: Reporting for this story took place at the 2nd Winterthur Ophthalmology Symposium (WOS), held from 14-15 March in Winterthur, Switzerland.
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