The Lancaster Course in Ophthalmology is one of the most important and traditional courses in ophthalmology of the United States, created in 1946, just after the WW2, with the objective of improved the practice of ophthalmology in the country. It is sponsored by the Massachusets Eye and Ear Infirmary, at Harvard Medical School, and directed by Dr. Lucy Young, from the Retina Department.

This year edition occurred from June 18th to August 2nd at Colby College, Waterville, Maine, a great place were the Lancaster students could use all its facilities, such as dorms, dining halls, libraries and sports facilities. The lectures took place from Monday to Friday, from 8:00AM until 4:00PM, with a break of one hour for lunch, and were given by notorious ophthalmologists of North America, some of them the most important names in their areas, such as Antony Arnolds, Stephen Foster, Ralph Eagle and Irene Maumenee.

There were approximately 40 students from all over the world, most of them from USA and Canada, but others from Dominican Republic, France, China, Japan, Myanmar, Greece, Vietnam and Romania. Gabriel Ayub, 2nd year medical resident at Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medical Sciences (SMS), University of Campinas (Unicamp), represented Brazil, and related: “In addition to the knowledge in ophthalmology that is improved with the program, it’s also a great opportunity to make some friends from other countries, improve a second language and get some contacts for the future. The same way I had an international experience during my residence, I hope other residents of ophthalmology and other specialties have the same in the future, and that our university, considered the number one in Latin America, be the choice of many international students for a great experience outside their countries as well”. Gabriel added: “As we had the weekends off, we used to travel for some places close to Waterville, such as Boston, where we visited some of the most important universities in the world, Acadia National Park, a large and beautiful national park with lots of beaches, hikes and landscapes, and Portland, the biggest city in Maine”.