TOA 60th National Congress

INVITATION LETTER

Esteemed Members of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association,

The very first of the Turkish Ophthalmology Congresses was held in Istanbul in 1955. This year, we will be organizing our 60th Congress, once again with the invaluable contributions of our Istanbul Branch. Empowered by our deep rooted history, driven by faith, and inspired by the joy of scientific production and togetherness, we are taking a new step forward into a national congress aimed at further advancing our association's culture and awareness. We invite you to our gathering, which will take place at the Antalya Belek Susesi Hotel and Congress Center.

The Turkish Ophthalmology Congress is not merely a platform for sharing scientific knowledge; it is also a gathering where friendships, the shared bonds that make us a family, and our culture of collaborative production are remembered, longings are fulfilled, and professional solidarity is reinforced. Furthermore, we attach great importance to planning our social program as a high-quality, enjoyable meeting environment where our participants can come together, enhance their professional interactions, cement their friendships, and experience every aspect of the congress atmosphere to the fullest.

As is the case every year, our scientific program is being prepared through the devoted work and valuable contributions of our units. The planning of the scientific sessions has reached its final stage, with the ultimate goal of presenting our esteemed participants with a program featuring robust scientific sharing and rich content, through which they can closely follow current developments. This year, we are pleased to introduce a brand new format to the scientific program. I am delighted to announce that all TOA members with full member status will be eligible to participate in the session titled "Cases in Competition," without the requirement of being an active unit member. Applications can be submitted via the "Cases in Competition" tab, which has been newly integrated into the "National Congress Abstract Submission Module" alongside the existing oral and poster presentation options.

Just as we have always emphasized from past to present, distinguished keynote speakers from various countries have been invited to our congress with the aim of reinforcing international scientific collaborations. In particular, I would like to highlight the request of the ESCRS to host a panel within our scientific platform. We firmly believe that our esteemed international guests will make significant contributions to the scientific caliber of our congress with their knowledge, experience, and unique perspectives.

As indispensable stakeholders of our congresses, industry companies contribute significantly to the advancement and sustainability of our scientific organization. Their support through satellite symposia, booth area activities, and various sponsorship opportunities is invaluable in ensuring that our congress takes place in a richer, more dynamic, and highly productive environment.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our colleagues who have contributed to the realization of our National Congress, to our esteemed guests who share their knowledge and experience with great dedication, and to our beloved members who strengthen our congress with their participation. On behalf of the Turkish Ophthalmology family, I would also like to express my deepest appreciation to the distinguished representatives of our industry whose support we always feel, to the employees of Global Tourism&Organization Company who work with immense devotion at every stage of the organization, and to the management of the congress center.

We will be deeply honored to be together in this special gathering where scientific sharing, professional solidarity, and friendship unite. I am privileged to invite you to our congress, which will be held between November 25–29, 2026.

With my deepest regards and affection,

Prof. Dr. Kıvanç Güngör
President of Turkish Ophthalmological Association

Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Executive Board of the TOA Istanbul Branch, I am delighted to invite you to the 60th TOA National Congress.

As the biggest organization of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association with a deep rooted history of 60 years, our National Congress will be held this year with the contributions of the Istanbul Branch, the branch with our largest membership. While undertaking this prestigious responsibility, we pledge to continue raising the banner entrusted to us by our founders. I consider it a duty to express our profound respect, gratitude, and appreciation to all our esteemed professors who have brought us to this day.

Our congress will take place between November 25 – 29, 2026, at the Susesi Luxury Resort Congress Center in the unique beauty of Antalya. We believe that our congress will provide a platform where current knowledge and experiences in all fields of ophthalmology are shared, where our younger colleagues take a more active role, and where tradition meets innovation under the same roof.

The National Congresses, where our ever growing family gathers each year, represent the largest TOA organization held throughout the year. This year, our congress awaits you with a program enriched in line with contemporary scientific and technical developments. As is the case every year, the scientific program of our congress began to be planned immediately following the previous one, with NCOC (National Congress Organizing Committee) and our scientific unit executive boards working diligently to create a rich and balanced content.

In this period as we step into the second century of our Republic, our primary goal in line with Atatürk’s emphasis on science and contemporary education is to further advance the knowledge base of Turkish ophthalmologists and to strengthen our prestigious standing in both the national and international arenas. I believe that our 60th National Congress will be a significant milestone on the path toward this objective.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all our unit executive boards for their contributions to the formation of the scientific program, to our distinguished speakers who will share their knowledge and experience, to our colleagues who will present their work, and to the industry representatives who remain among the most vital supporters of scientific progress.

We are fully aware that our national congresses are special gatherings that strengthen our spirit of unity and togetherness, not only scientifically but also socially. In the beautiful setting of Antalya, I hope this meeting where we will refresh our friendships and create new memories alongside professional sharing will be unforgettable for us all.

I would like to thank all my colleagues, sponsors, and the organizing team who will contribute to the 60th National Congress of the Turkish Ophthalmological Association. On behalf of the TOA Istanbul Branch and NCOC, I invite you to join us at the Susesi Hotel in Antalya between November 25 – 29, 2026.

With my deepest regards and affection,

Prof Dr. Nursal Melda Yenerel
President of TOA İstanbul Branch
2nd Chair of the TOA 59th National Congress