The British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS) is a United Kingdom-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of education, research, and clinical practice in the field of oculoplastic surgery. Registered with the charity number 1188345, BOPSS serves surgeons from the UK and Ireland who specialize in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery, including orbital and lacrimal surgery, as well as aesthetic (cosmetic) eyelid and facial surgery.

History and Formation

BOPSS was founded in 2000 by Richard Collin, Brian Leatherbarrow, and Jane Olver, who recognized the need for a specialized society due to the rapid development of oculoplastic surgery as a subspecialty within ophthalmology. The founding executive committee convened at the European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery meeting in Val d’Isère, France, to establish the society. Since then, BOPSS has aimed to unite surgeons with a shared interest in this surgical field across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Aims and Activities

The core purposes of BOPSS are to promote education, facilitate research, and improve the quality of care in oculoplastic surgery. The society offers a platform for both established consultants and surgical trainees to meet, exchange expertise, and share best practices. Additionally, it provides information and advice to the general public concerning oculoplastic conditions and treatments.

BOPSS organizes meetings, conferences, and training opportunities to support continuing professional development. It also fosters collaboration among its members to enhance clinical standards and advance knowledge in areas such as plastic, reconstructive, orbital, lacrimal, and aesthetic eyelid surgery.

Governance and Membership

The society is governed by a committee comprising a president, past president, treasurer, and multiple members, with additional advisory and membership committees to guide its strategic and operational activities. As of the 2024–2027 term, the president is Colin Vize, supported by a team including the treasurer and several committee members who oversee various functions within the society.

BOPSS is maintained by a group of trustees and volunteers and operates without remunerating its trustees, reflecting its nonprofit status. Its financial reports indicate a total income of approximately £183,000 and expenditures of around £236,000 for the financial year ending March 2024.

Significance

The British Oculoplastic Surgery Society plays a crucial role in fostering the subspecialty of oculoplastic surgery within the UK and Ireland. By providing educational resources, networking opportunities, and advocating for high standards of surgical care, BOPSS supports surgeons and benefits patients requiring specialized ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive procedures.

This article is based on publicly available information from the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society and its regulatory filings as of 2024.

[1] https://www.bopss.co.uk/about/about-bopss/ [2] https://www.bopss.co.uk [3] https://www.oculofacialsociety.org/about-us/ [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/sector-data/top-10-charities/-/charity-details/5154311/charity-overview [5] https://branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=mary-wilson-carpenter-a-cultural-history-of-ophthalmology-in-nineteenth-century-britain