Annual congress 2026

Congress programme

Take a look at what's planned for each day at Annual Congress 2026.

Scroll down to see the day-by-day programme and details of all the sessions.

Read the Congress Chairs’ highlights.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists Annual Congress is not intended for members of the public.  This event is made possible by sponsorship or exhibiting from organisations including pharmaceutical companies, medical technology providers and service partners. These sponsors have no influence over the event programme, content, or choice of speakers.  Any session delivered with input from a sponsoring organisation is clearly indicated in the programme. The list of exhibitors contains details of all sponsors and exhibitors.

Monday 18 May

Welcome to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Annual Congress 2026 at Manchester Central.

 

9-9.05am
President’s welcome – Professor Ben Burton

9.05-9.20am
College achievements

9.05-9.10am
College journals – Professor Harminder Dua

9.10-9.15am
College guidelines – Barny Foot

9.15-9.20am Jack Kanski Award – Will Dean

9.20-9.35am
President Handover – Professor Ben Burton & Mr Mohamed Elalfy

9.35-10am
John Ellis – Opening ceremony keynote speaker

Coffee and posters

Lunch

GSK sponsored: On the case: real world examples of eye care professionals supporting cancer patients in their treatment journey (products mentioned).

Disclaimers: This promotional symposium is fully developed and funded by GSK for UK Ophthalmologists and Optometrists only. GSK products will be discussed, and prescribing information and adverse event reporting will be available at the meeting.

Tea and posters

Join us in the exhibition for a welcome drinks reception

Details TBC

Tuesday 19 May

SAS breakfast forum – come along to our informal networking breakfast

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists Annual General Meeting

Lunch

Redefining the Management of nAMD: The Impact of Durability and Sustained Disease Control – Sponsored symposium by Ocular Therapeutix (lunch included)

Speakers:

Adnan Tufail, MBBS, MD, FRCOphth

Darius Moshfegui, MD, FASRS

Dilsher Dhoot, MD

Bowman Lecture – Professor Jugnoo Rahi

Title: Deciphering childhood vision impairment: stories of population health discovery science

Professor Jugnoo Rahi FMedSci is a clinician scientist with a track record for innovative discovery science and research translation to reduce the burden and impacts of the causes of blindness that afflict 81 million children worldwide and confer an enormous burden on affected individuals, their families and the societies in which they live. As the UK’s first Professor of Ophthalmic Epidemiology she has led the establishment and development of this scientific discipline, partly by founding the Vision and Eyes Group at UCL which is now an internationally leading multi-disciplinary and multi-professional group with an unusually broad scientific portfolio. The group’s research bridges ophthalmology, paediatrics, public health, and population health sciences. And it looks ‘both ways’: addressing both the causes and the consequences of rare and common eye diseases; alongside investigating the determinants of visual health and well-being and of visual disability.  Highly cited, their research has shaped clinical care and policies internationally. Much of it has been undertaken by establishing enduring clinical research networks that are unique to the UK – reflecting the highly naturally and highly collaborative spirit of clinicians in this subspecialty in the UK – and this has enabled landmark studies and their rapid translation.

Tea and posters

Wednesday 20 May

Poster presentations

Coffee and posters

Edridge Green lecture – Professor Conor Murphy

Tea and posters

Thursday 21 May

Details TBC