If you work in children’s eye care, mark your calendar for Friday, 12 September, 2025. That’s when the World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (WSPOS) takes over Copenhagen with its annual Subspecialty Day, held in conjunction with the 43rd ESCRS congress.

This one-day event has become a favourite for paediatric ophthalmologists, orthoptists, trainees, and allied professionals because it strikes a rare balance: world-class content delivered in a relaxed, highly interactive atmosphere.

What’s on the agenda?

The day is packed with focused sessions covering:

• Paediatric cataract – from imaging congenital cases to IOL selection and optic capture techniques.
• Ocular surface in children – practical insights on vernal keratoconjunctivitis, paediatric dry eye disease, and microbial dysbiosis.
• Paediatric retina and ROP – from evolving screening criteria and imaging innovations to surgical updates, inherited retinal disorders, and emerging therapies in childhood retinal care.
• Uveitis & glaucoma – including JIA associated inflammation, surgical approaches to paediatric glaucoma, and steroid related risks.
• Neuro-ophthalmology – from decoding optic disc anomalies and systemic clues to managing gliomas, nystagmus, and myasthenia.
• Vision screening and strabismus – from inclusive screening strategies and pre-surgical assessments to surgical pearls, systemic considerations, and equity in paediatric eye care.
• Rapid fire free papers – short, sharp presentations on amblyopia, glaucoma, nystagmus, strabismus, ROP, manifestations of the eye in systemic diseases, myopia, and conditions affecting the anterior segment.

Once the main programme wraps up, the conversation continues into the evening with a Networking Reception (18:15–19:00), followed by the Myopia Innovation Summit (19:00–21:00), where global experts will debate the future of myopia control in a lively panel format.

“The true value of WSPOS Subspecialty Day lies in its diversity. No single voice dominates; instead, we learn from one another in a worldwide dialogue that makes the experience exceptional.” – Massimiliano Serafino (G. Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy).

More than lectures: a global conversation

Ask anyone who’s attended, and they’ll tell you: the real magic of WSPOS Subspecialty Day happens between the sessions. Over coffee, during lunch, or in the hallway outside a lecture room, you’ll find yourself in conversations that cross continents and specialities.

The day embodies the WSPOS ethos that “expertise resides all around the world.” The spotlight isn’t on one voice; it’s on the collective dialogue. A trainee presenting their first free paper can spark just as much discussion as a seasoned surgeon/practitioner. That mix of voices makes the event feel less like a conference and more like a community coming together to solve shared challenges in paediatric eye care.

“Beyond borders, across oceans, eyecare unites us. Each touch, each smile and each treatment is a bridge between cultures to find the power to heal and transform.” – Adedayo Omobolanle Adio (University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria).

Why You Should Be There

If you’re involved in paediatric ophthalmology or strabismus in any capacity, this is a day to refresh your knowledge, see what’s new, and make meaningful connections. The content is sharp, the pace is engaging, and the tone is refreshingly approachable.

And because it’s designed as a standalone programme, you can attend even if you’re not staying for the full ESCRS congress.

Practical Details

• When: Friday, 12 September 2025.
• Where: Hall 11, Bella Centre, Copenhagen, as part of the ESCRS Congress.
• Who it’s for: paediatric ophthalmologists, surgeons, trainees, orthoptists, optometrists, allied healthcare professionals, and researchers.

Registration is open now at www.wspos.org with standard rates available until 9 September and late/onsite registration from 10 September.