Ophthalmology – an all-embracing discipline

Dear colleagues,

It is my great pleasure to invite you to the DOG 2016 in Berlin.
The 114th DOG Congress will be held from September 29 to October 2, 2016 once again at the Estrel Congress & Messe Center.

For several years now the focus has no longer been on specific diseases or sub-specialties; too broad and too diverse has become the field of ophthalmology. And this is reflected in the theme of this year’s congress: Ophthalmology – an all-embracing discipline.

Few medical disciplines treat as many patients suffering from so many common diseases as does ophthalmology – and few can show such a record of success. Not many disciplines span such a broad thematic range of clinical methods and scientific approaches.

Eyesight is something extremely important that is highly valued by our patients, and our successes earn us their tremendous gratitude.

At the same time, as representatives of a relatively small part of the
body , we sometimes feel resistance in privat practices, hospitals and
universities when it comes to the distribution of the limited resources for research and patient care.
We would like to draw attention to the significance of ophthalmology in medicine by showing our discipline in its entire spectrum. In the process, we will highlight its importance and its successes, which we can take to the public with self-confidence and conviction, without having to forgo upstanding scientific thinking. And we can deliver the supporting arguments in the form of the great importance that our patients place on vision and the incidence of eye diseases threatening that sense of sight.

One particular highlight of the DOG 2016 congress will be the awarding of the “Albrecht-von-Graefe-Medal”, an award that the DOG presents to outstanding ophthalmologists only every 10 years. Prof. Eberhard Zrenner will be awarded the medal, continuing the list of such medical luminaries as Helmholtz, Gullstrand, Gonin, Goldmann, Meyer-Schwickerath, Fankhauser and Naumann.

We will only make slight and careful changes to the format of our congress, while retaining the tried and true concept of the past years’ events: a mixture of information for practitioners as well as basic scientific and clinical innovations. Last but not least, we place value on facilitating an enjoyable transfer of knowledge.

Our “keynote lectures” will be devoted to common issues and practice-relevant questions. The conception of the poster sessions once again provides the possibility for an engaging scientific dialogue between young scientists and established “dignitaries”. The “DOG-Update – State of the Art” again gives you the opportunity to receive a concise update on the innovations of the past 12 months. A new format is meant to encouragean open approach to a culture of positive error management.

As always, the industry will be a reliable partner, and we can expect another major industry exhibit highlighting the great number of relevant innovations.

Like every year at the DOG, the social programme and the many possibilities available in Berlin will provide us with ample opportunity to meet friends and colleagues and strengthen personal contacts.

Many thanks to all those whose commitment helps ensure that the DOG 2016 will be another success.

Prof. Dr. Horst Helbig
DOG President