YO Sessions & YO Lounge

Open daily, the YO Lounge is for exclusive use by YOs and will offer exciting and informal daily and lunchtime specific YO sessions, as well as a YO reception. Relax and enjoy complementary refreshments, and the opportunity to network with your international peers, the SOE YO committee and your national representatives.

SOE – the European Society of Ophthalmology (Societas Ophthalmologica Europæa) – was founded in 1956 to strengthen collaboration and professional connections among ophthalmologists across Europe. Today, SOE brings together representatives from 44 National Ophthalmological Societies across Europe.

SOE’s mission is to serve as a central point for European ophthalmology, with a strong focus on education, professional collaboration, research, and the development of ophthalmology across national borders. The Society works closely with subspecialty societies and other European and international organisations to facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen collaboration within the field.

The SOE does not operate on memberships, but includes board members from all associated national ophthalmology societies. Every ophthalmologist from associated nations are part of the SOE.

What can SOE do for YOs

SOE YO (Young Ophthalmologists) is part of SOE and is a European network dedicated to supporting younger ophthalmologists through education, international collaboration, and professional development. As part of SOE YO, each European country is represented by a National Representative who is dedicated to being the link between the SOE YO and their national ophthalmology society. But every YO in Europe is automatically a member of SOE and SOE YO – we are your society!
SOE YO works to create equal opportunities for education, training, and mobility for young ophthalmologists across Europe. And at SOE 2027 we will have our 20th anniversary!

The SOE congress takes place every two years. The most recent congress was held in Lisbon in June 2025, and we can be proud of our YO colleagues who participated, contributed as invited speakers and submitted their abstracts. For young ophthalmologists, the SOE Congress is particularly valuable as the programme focuses on ophthalmological education and provides insight into all subspecialties. Unlike many highly subspecialised congresses, SOE offers a broad academic and clinical foundation that is directly relevant to everyday practice. And last but not least, we have our YO lounge, a place to connect, learn and relax.

The YO Toolkit: Let’s learn together in Athens

In case you are wondering “What not to miss in Athens…”: definitely our YO scientific sessions!

We are delighted to bring four YO-led sessions into the main scientific programme of SOE 2027. Created by Young Ophthalmologists, but certainly not only for Young Ophthalmologists!

With “The YO Toolkit: What not to miss in…”, we will explore paediatric ophthalmology, strabismus, uveitis and postoperative care. We chose these topics because they can challenge all of us, regardless of our career stage or subspecialty. What should we recognise? What should we never overlook? And what can we learn from colleagues with different perspectives?

Our aim is to focus on what truly matters when time is limited and decisions are urgently needed. We want to encourage and create a space for lively and open discussion by combining fresh perspectives with shared experience. We hope to add valuable tools to everyone’s clinical toolkit.

The YO Toolkit: What not to miss… in paediatrics

In paediatric ophthalmology, every detail can make a difference. Children are not simply small adults: they may not describe what they see or how they feel, making careful observation, creativity and trust essential parts of the examination.

Which findings require urgent attention? What must never be overlooked? And how can we obtain the information we need when our young patients cannot yet tell us themselves?

Through real cases and shared experiences, we will look beyond textbook knowledge and explore what truly works when examining children. Expect practical tips, important red flags and fresh perspectives to help you approach your next paediatric consultation with greater confidence.

The YO Toolkit: What not to miss… in strabismus

Seeing double should not double your stress! A patient with diplopia walks into your clinic and suddenly, even experienced ophthalmologists may feel outside their comfort zone.

Where should we begin? Which simple examinations can guide us towards the diagnosis? What requires urgent attention and when should we ask for specialist support?

Through real cases, shared experiences and practical strategies, we want to take away some of the pressure surrounding diplopia. Together, we will turn a potentially intimidating consultation into a structured clinical challenge and help you approach your next patient with greater clarity and confidence. We have no doubt that this session will double your strabismus handling skills.

The YO Toolkit: What not to miss… in Uveitis

In uveitis, what we do not see can matter just as much as what we see. The presentation may be subtle, the underlying cause unexpected, and the consequences of delayed recognition potentially sight-threatening.

Which findings require urgent attention? What clues point towards an infectious or systemic cause? And what must never be overlooked before starting or escalating treatment?

Through real cases and shared experiences, we will focus on the practical challenges behind uveitis diagnosis and management. Expect key red flags, useful clinical clues and common pitfalls, with practical tips to help you recognise what matters, investigate wisely and approach your next uveitis patient with greater confidence.

The YO Toolkit: What not to miss… after surgery

The procedure may be over – but for our patients, the journey is not. Postoperative care is where careful observation, clear communication and timely decisions can make all the difference. We firmly believe that becoming a better surgeon also means becoming a more thorough observer after surgery.

What is part of a normal recovery, and what must not be overlooked? Which warning signs require immediate action? And how should we respond when the postoperative course does not go as planned?

In this lively, case-based session, YOs and experienced colleagues will openly share memorable cases, personal experiences and lessons learned. Together, we will explore important postoperative findings, common pitfalls and the clinical clues that every ophthalmologist should recognise.

YO Lounge

The YO Lounge is the home of young ophthalmologists throughout the congress—a place to meet, connect, exchange ideas and be part of the SOE YO community.

First launched at the SOE Congress in Copenhagen in 2013, the YO Lounge has grown into a vibrant meeting point for young ophthalmologists from across Europe and beyond.

The programme opens with the introduction of the new SOE YO Executive Committee, our vision and plans for the next two years, followed by the General Assembly of National Representatives. Throughout the congress, interactive roundtables will bring open and informal discussions on everything from surgery, fellowships, PhDs and research to career development, networking and the challenges of life as a young ophthalmologist.

But the YO Lounge is about more than sessions—it is about people and connections. Join us for discussions, networking, our traditional group photo and reception, and continue the experience at the YO Party.

Come by, join the conversation, meet colleagues from around the world—and make the YO Lounge your meeting point during the congress.