ESCRS 2024 - Barcelona: A Journey of Progress and Partnerships

For the last few days, I had the pleasure of accompanying our COO, Mark Jenkins, to Barcelona for a trip timed to coincide with the prestigious ESCRS Congress – a key event in the ophthalmic calendar. As Occuity continues to expand its global presence, as it did last year, ESCRS provides an invaluable opportunity to showcase our latest innovations to new and existing distributors, and key opinion leaders whilst we continue building momentum for our series of handheld, non-contact opthalmic devices.

ESCRS 2024 - A Perfect Setting for Innovation

Barcelona, with its blend of rich culture and cutting-edge innovation, was the ideal backdrop for this important event. Whilst our days were packed with meetings and product demonstrations, our 6am inbound flight did allow us some time to take in some of the city’s iconic sights, including a visit to the awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia. There’s something undeniably uplifting about being surrounded by such a magnificently crafted building, and it was a reminder of the importance of innovation and ambition – both qualities that resonate with Occuity's mission.

Our small apartment, located conveniently close to the Fira Barcelona exhibition centre, became a hub of activity. In testament to the global interest our products have generated, we hosted 26 meetings across three packed days, welcoming distributors from regions as diverse as Australia, South East Asia, the Nordics, and Latin America.

Showcasing the Future of Diagnostics

One of the key objectives of our trip was to offer hands-on demonstrations of our first ophthalmic products, including the PM1 Pachymeter and the AX1 Axiometer. With the CE mark for the PM1 now just a matter of days away (fingers crossed!), the interest from our existing distributors was palpable. Many were of course eager to see our AX1 taking eye measurements, and were impressed by the speed and accuracy of the TRL 5 prototype we demonstrated. Many commented that its portability, speed and utility will be a game-changer for myopia management and axial length measurement in children.

Despite the occasionally unsettled weather – including thunderstorms that didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm – the event proved to be a perfect platform for us to reinforce our presence in the ophthalmic market.

Wrapping Up in Style

After three intense days of meetings, demonstrations, and strategic discussions, Mark and I had a few hours to enjoy Barcelona before our afternoon flight to the UK. We took the opportunity to get up early and soak up the last rays of summer with a quick stroll down Las Ramblas, making our way to the marina. It was a perfect way to reflect and discuss the to-do list from what had been an incredibly busy but rewarding trip.

ESCRS 2024 provided us with invaluable insights, strengthened our relationships with key distributors, and set the stage for exciting developments in the months ahead. No other event offers such a unique opportunity to engage with existing and potential partners all in one place, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s congress in Copenhagen, in fact – we’ve already booked!