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The 35th British Association of Ophthalmic Pathology (BAOP) meeting was held in the idyllic and dreamy surroundngs of Magdalen College Oxford. The meeting was organised by Dr Brendan McDonald and Dr Caroline Graham.

The following scientific talks  were delivered:

Thursday 17th March

Dr Hardeep Singh Mudhar (Sheffield)-Metachronous DLBCL and Kaposi Sarcoma in a patient with chronic variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome affecting the extra ocular muscles secondary to Whipple’s disease.

Dr Chee Koon Thum (Edinburgh)-Medulloepithelioma of the ciliary body

Dr Caroline Thaung (UCL)-actinic granuloma of the conjunctiva

Mr John Mould-An intra-ocular small round blue cell tumour in a dog.

After morning coffee Professor Nicky Ragge (Professor of Medical Genetics, Oxford Brookes University) delivered a superb talk entitled ‘Update on the genetics of anophthalmia and microphthalmia’.

After lunch there was a mini symposium on temporal artery biopsies. Professor Rashid Luqmani (Prof of Rheumatology at Oxford University) spoke eloquently about the national TABUL study, examining the role of temporal artery ultrasound and temporal artery biopsy.

Dr Godfrey Heathcote (Halifax, Canada) delivered a thought provoking and entertaining talk on Monckeberg’s medial calcific sclerosis of temporal arteries.

After the group photo on the lawns of Magdalen College, the attendees regathered to hear talks from Dr Darius Hildebrand (Oxford Eye Hospital) on topical beta blocker therapy for periocular and orbital haemangioma and Mr Jonathan Morris (Oxford Eye Hospital) who presented an audit of lacrimal gland and orbital pathology.

The business meeting was marked by a minute’s silence in remembrance of Dr John Harry who passed away in November 2015. Dr Harry was one of the founding ‘fathers’ of BAOP and influenced many to take up ophthalmic pathology. John was warm, kind, philosophical and always willing to engage in deep discussion about ophthalmic pathology. To honour John’s great contribution to British ophthalmic pathology, the BAOP will be establishing the ‘Dr John Harry memorial lecture’.

The day was rounded off with a splendid meal  in the ancient dining hall at the college. Dr Richard Bonshek and Dr Caroline Graham shared affectionate memories of John Harry and Dr Godfrey Heathcote honoured the valuable role that Dr Brendan McDonald had played in the BAOP on the eve of his retirement. Before retiring for the day we were entertained by the wonderful Magdalen College String Duet.

The second day of the meeting commenced with the traditional case discussion and scoring of the NEQAS scheme in ophthalmic pathology , followed by the IQI discussion from Dr Caroline Thaung. This year’s Jean Campbell cup was won by Dr Didi Fabian who gave a thought provoking talk on ‘intra-ocular or ocular surface melanoma?’ Dr Dilip Mishra, ocular pathologist from the internationally renowned LV Prasad Eye Hospital gave talks on the role of stem cells in OSSN and an audit of conjunctival melanoma. After lunch the following case reports were delivered:

Professor Godfrey Heathcote (Halifax Canada)-Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the conjunctiva

Dr Richard Bonshek (Manchester)-A very interesting talk on the hazards of self-tattooing of the conjunctiva.

Dr John McCarthy (Gloucester)-Septic optic nerve haemorrhage and discussion of the mechanisms of bleeding in NAI.

Dr Dominic O’Donovan-Merkel cell tumour of the lower lid.

Next year’s meeting will be held in Dublin and organised by Dr Susan Kennedy.

Dr Hardeep Singh (Sheffield)