British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons (BEAVRS)
website: http://www.beavrs.org/
About
The British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons (BEAVRS) was established in 1986 to promote high-quality patient care by supporting and representing British and Irish vitreoretinal surgeons through education, research, audit, and revalidation. Full membership is open to career-grade ophthalmologists working in the British Isles who perform vitreoretinal surgery. Trainees and overseas members are also encouraged to join.
For the first 24 years of its existence, the Society prided itself on having no formal structure. In that spirit, everyone who attended the BEAVRS annual meeting was expected to present, and problems were discussed uninhibitedly. The meeting was itinerant, being both hosted and organized locally.
Over the years, the meeting has grown to more than 200 delegates, so all attendees can no longer be expected to present. However, there remains a strong tradition of frank exchange of ideas and discussion. In 2009, there was a unanimous decision at the BEAVRS meeting in Amsterdam to formalize the structure of the Society to provide a vehicle for vitreoretinal specialty licensing and standards within the United Kingdom. BEAVRS now also has a formal administrative and financial structure to support the annual meeting.
Since 1993, BEAVRS has had an international visiting speaker who has given a guest lecture and contributed to discussion at the meeting. The list of luminaries invited has included Drs. Alain Gaudric, Peter Wiedemann, Carl Claes, Michael Trese, Cynthia Toth, Bernd Kirchhof, George Williams, Jan van Meurs, Donald D’Amico, Ian Constable, Arnd Gandorfer, Stanislao Rizzo, Kirk Packo, and Antonia Joussen.
BEAVRS is keen to develop relationships with like-minded societies of retina specialists, both in Europe and across the world, and we see ASRS as a key player in this endeavor.
For more information about BEAVRS and forthcoming events, please visit www.beavrs.org.