By: Jo Anne Hernandez-Tan, MD
The 18 th Asia-Pacific Vitreo-Retina Society (APVRS) Congress in conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO) was held at the SMX Convention Center, Manila Philippines last December 11 – 14, 2025. With the theme RETINA 360: Learning, Application, Synergy, Transformation, the congress featured a comprehensive perspective of the management of vitreoretinal conditions, drawing in thousands of registrants from the region.
Scientific meetings on various subspecialties in Ophthalmology were also held during the event. The Philippine Society of Ophthalmology (PSOPRS) hosted its Orbit and Oculoplastic symposium on December 11, 2025, featuring two main sessions.
Evolution of Eyelid Surgery: Bridging Timeless Techniques and Modern Innovations in Blepharoplasty and Ptosis Surgery
Chaired by Dr. Mark Imperial, PSOPRS President, and Dr. Charisse Tanlapco, Dr. Franklin Kleiner opened the session with his lecture on Refining Ptosis Surgery: Time-Tested Approaches and Modern Adaptations followed Emerging Technologies in Ptosis Surgery: Future Perspectives from Dr. Tanlapco.
Dr. Angeles Morales-De Leon, shared valuable pearls in her lecture Mastering the Art of Blepharoplasty: Lessons from Experience. Bridging to present advances Dr. Gary Bunagan, delivered his talk on Innovations in Blepharoplasty: Combining Aesthetic and Functional Outcomes.
The Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Treatment Multiverse
Shifting gears to the lacrimal system, the second session was chaired by Dr. Yvette Marie Santiago-Gatmaitan and Dr. Steffani Chua. Dr. Jose Miguel Ambat presented his lecture on the time-tested External DCR: The Gold Standard – Fundamentals, Techniques, and Modern Adaptations. Talks on minimally invasive DCR techniques followed with Dr. Raoul Henson on Endocanalicular DCR: Bridging Innovation and Efficiency in Lacrimal Surgery, then on Endonasal DCR: A Scarless Revolution – Advances, Challenges, and Surgical Pearls by Dr. Steffani Chua. To cap the session, Dr. Reynaldo Javate, presented his technique and expertise on Nasolacrimal Duct Recanalization: Minimally Invasive Breakthroughs in Tear Drainage Surgery.
Beyond the PSOPRS symposium, several members also delivered engaging lectures. On December 11, 2025, Dr. Mark Imperial was a guest speaker at the Neuro-Ophthalmology session, with his lecture entitled Common Causes of Diplopia: Orbital and EOM Disorders. Dr. Roseny Mae Singson delivered a lecture at the Community Ophthalmology session entitled Cataract Surgery Outreach: Ensuring Quality and Sustainability in Surgical Missions. At the Young Ophthalmologists session, Dr. Raoul Henson imparted meaningful insights in his talk Balanced Treat: Finding the Sweet Spot Between Work and Life. Dr. Charisse Tanlapco served as co-chair at the PAO Rapid Fire 2 – Pediatric Ophthalmology and Oculoplastics, and Dr. Honeylen Teo at the Gray Zones in Ophthalmic Pathology presentations.
Dr. Gary Mercado co-chaired at the Ocular Oncology meeting and presented his talk on Intravitreal Topotecan for Retinoblastoma on December 12, 2025. Dr. Alex Sua, participated at the APVRS Rapid Fire 4 session on Ocular Oncology, with his report on Non-resolving Bilateral Vitreous Hemorrhage: A Rare Initial Presentation in Trilateral Retinoblastoma.
The PSOPRS symposium was a success, highlighting fundamental principles and advancements in the field of eyelid and lacrimal surgery seamlessly, from the lectures of both young and seasoned members. Even across other fields, it was an impressive feat that many PSOPRS members actively participated and delivered compelling presentations.
For video highlights of the PSOPRS sessions and meetings, check the PSOPRS Official YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/yKpFwHGzZ0s?si=-5NQPO-BJvjD-F40
For a detailed recap of the APVRS and PSOPRS sessions (see article by Dr. Charisse Tanlapco): https://2025.apvrs.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/December-12-issue.pdf
Dr. Jose Miguel Ambat, Dr. Yvette Gatmaitan, Dr. Steffani Chua, and Dr. Reynaldo Javate for the Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Treatment session (left). Group photo of PSOPRS members in attendance after the sessions (right).
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