The 40th World Ophthalmology Congress (WOC2026) will take place at the Prague Congress Centre, Czech Republic, from June 26–29, 2026, bringing together ophthalmologists and eye care professionals from across the world
Organized by the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO), this year’s congress coincides with the ICO’s centenary, marking 100 years since the organization was founded. The meeting is expected to attract approximately 6,000 delegates, with a program spanning scientific exchange, surgical skills training, and subspecialty education.
A program built for practical learning
WOC2026 will include a strong focus on hands-on, skills-based education. A full day of Skills Transfer Wetlabs will open the congress on Friday, June 26, with sessions continuing throughout the four-day meeting. Delegates will have the opportunity to develop surgical skills across core ophthalmology subspecialties, including:
- Secondary IOL Implantation Techniques, covering preoperative evaluation, capsular management, and a range of IOL fixation approaches
- MIGS & MIBS Skills, with hands-on practice in minimally invasive glaucoma and bleb surgery techniques
- Basic and Advanced Vitrectomy Skills, covering machine settings, 3D viewing systems, complex retinal conditions, and internal limiting membrane peeling
- Basic and Advanced Phacoemulsification, from foundational technique to small pupil management, zonulopathy, and anterior vitrectomy
- DMEK/DSEK Surgery Skills, including practice with donor corneal tissue implantation using artificial anterior chambers
Wetlab sessions are capped at 20 participants to support individual learning and interaction with faculty.
A new format: Meet the Experts
The congress will also introduce a new Meet the Experts course format, featuring 60-minute discussion-led sessions with internationally recognized clinicians. Designed around real-world cases and open Q&A, the sessions will cover several subspecialty areas, including cataract surgery, retina, pediatric ophthalmology, eyelid surgery, and intraocular inflammation.
Sessions include:
- Challenging Scenarios in Cataract Surgery with Prof. Boris Malyugin
- Essential Ophthalmic Knowledge for Retina with Prof. Anat Loewenstein
- PCR:Managing Vitreous and Nucleus with Prof. David Chang,
- Functional Eyelid Surgery with Prof. Richard C. Allen
- Core Skills for Eye Examination in Children with Prof. Ken Nischal
- Evaluation of Intraocular Inflammation with Dr Marc de Smet
About WOC
The World Ophthalmology Congress traces its origins to the first International Congress of Ophthalmology in 1857 and is recognized as the oldest continuing international medical congress. Held every four years, it brings together ophthalmologists and eye care professionals across subspecialties for scientific exchange, education, and global collaboration.
WOC2026 will take place from June 26–29, 2026, at the Prague Congress Centre, Czech Republic. More information is available here: https://icowoc.org/
Cite: Ten days to go: World Ophthalmology Congress 2026 prepares to welcome 6,000 delegates to Prague. touchOPHTHALMOLOGY. 16 June 2026.
Editor: Nicola Cartridge, Director of Content
Acknowledgment: This article was created by the touchOPHTHALMOLOGY team utilizing AI as an editorial tool (ChatGPT (GPT-5.4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat). No funding was received in the publication of this short article.
