Young ophthalmologist engagement around the world has grown by leaps and bounds. In the Asia Pacific region alone, for example, Singapore was the only place where a formal YO Society existed in 2016. Today we can count nearly 20 YO committees and societies in the region.
That is one reason a full day has been set aside for YOs at the 2nd Global Young Ophthalmologist Summit in Singapore on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. It will be held along with the 37th Singapore-Malaysia Joint Ophthalmic Conference from Jan. 19 to 21.
Wet Labs and Hands-On Training
In recent years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, YOs have clamored for activities to supplement their fellowship training. The summit in Singapore will feature lots of opportunities for hands-on training, where YOs can learn about micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and cataract surgery, as well as imaging workshops for hands-on practice and interpretation for new devices.
The program also features interactive scientific debates on hot topics within nine subspecialties, along with nonscientific, fireside-style discussions on important matters such as surgical training, fellowships, global ophthalmology and women in ophthalmology.
Each session will end with a discussion featuring YO representatives from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, European Society of Ophthalmology, Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, Young Ophthalmologists Society Of India and the region.
Coffee, Massage and More
Participants will have ample opportunity to relax and mingle in the YO Lounge, where they can enjoy barista coffee, a photobooth and a blind massage. The day will culminate with an exciting YO social night held at Stay Gold Flamingo, voted as one of the top 50 bars in Asia.
Asia-Pacific Enthusiasm
We have a particularly vibrant YO community in the Asia-Pacific region. Since the first Global YO Summit in Singapore in 2020, we have organized many YO-focused events and gatherings both in Singapore and the wider Asia-Pacific region, including:
Our first post-COVID YO night was in Singapore in July 2022. We gathered YOs from all the public training institutions in Singapore and senior ophthalmologists from both public and private practice for dinner and drinks. We also invited a few senior ophthalmology mentors to share their personal career journeys and participate in a Q&A session during the event.
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Top 20 APAO “Rising Stars,” Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, February 2023
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Earlier this year in February, we kicked-off the “Rising Star” program in partnership with Zeiss during the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. During this meeting, we invited the top 20 rising stars from the Asia-Pacific region to meet and attend a presentation and leadership development workshop.
The APAO program also featured a very well-received YO night. We had great representation from all the Asian regions: Southeast Asia (Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia), Northeast Asia (South Korea, Mongolia, China, Taiwan) and South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives). YOs were able to share and connect with each other and senior ophthalmologists throughout the evening. We were also treated to an amazing talent show by our regional YOs.
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YO Night at APAO, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, February 2023
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Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region has seen the formation of many new YO societies in recent years, such as in South Korea, Bangladesh and Thailand. We have also seen the growth of YO communities in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. They join ophthalmologists that have thriving communities:
See you in Singapore this coming January!
About the authors:
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Claire Lixian Peterson, MBBS, is a final-year registrar at the Singapore National Eye Centre and the Young Ophthalmologist Chair of the Singapore Society of Ophthalmology. She will join the Academy's YO Info Editorial Board in January 2024. |
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Marcus Ang, MBBS, PhD, is president of the Singapore Society of Ophthalmology, head of cornea and external eye diseases services and head and senior consultant ophthalmologist of the refractive service at the Singapore National Eye Centre. He is also an associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at Duke University. Dr. Ang is a member of the Academy’s YO International Subcommittee. |
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2nd Annual Global YO Summit poster, Singapore, January 2024
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YOs enjoy a night out during the Singapore Society of Ophthalmology YO Night, at Botanico in Singapore in July 2022
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