RANZCO is anticipating its 2025 congress in Melbourne may be one of the largest yet.
Since opening registration on 10 June 2025, the college has had more than 300 delegates register for the event, taking place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre between 14-17 November.
Additionally, it has received 620 paper, poster, and film submissions.
“The closest previous submission number was 550 for Sydney in 2019. As such, we anticipate this may be one of the largest congresses RANZCO has hosted,” RANZCO said.
The college has also firmed up its speaker line-up for the event, spearheaded by experts such as the UK’s Professor Gus Gazzard, chief investigator of the landmark Laser in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension (LiGHT) Trial who will deliver the Glaucoma Update Lecture.
Also featuring on the lectern will be Sweeden’s Professor Anders Behndig for the Cataract Update Lecture, and Associate Professor Andrea Vincent – for the Dame Ida Mann Memorial Lecture – who is the first molecular ophthalmologist clinician-scientist in New Zealand.
Local presenters include Professor Celia Chen, Clinical Professor with University of South Australia and Academic Professor at Flinders University (The Council Lecture), Professor Dinesh Selva, chair of the South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology at the University of Adelaide (The Norman McAlister Gregg Lecture), and Dr Sandra Staffieri, a clinical and research orthoptist at Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, with 40 years’ experience in paediatric ophthalmology (The Fred Hollows Lecture).
As always, the Opening Lecture will provide non-clinical insights that ophthalmologists can take into their practice. This time, Ms Rachel Callander, an artist and mother to her late daughter Evie who was born with a rare condition, will discuss the power of language in patient-centred ophthalmic care.
“We’ll reflect on how common clinical terms can unintentionally harm, and explore small shifts that have a powerful ripple effect on patient engagement, emotional safety, and trust,” her abstract said.
“With humour, heart, and practical tools, this session will challenge you to see communication as a clinical skill, not just a courtesy.”
The full keynote speaker line up can be found here. For those yet to register for the congress, there’s still plenty of time, via this link.
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