Asia-Pacific Ocular Imaging Society (APOIS) - Tsinghua International Eye Symposium (TIES) Imaging Competition
CURRENTLY SUBMISSION IS CLOSED
APOIS - TIES IMAGING COMPETITION
The APOIS-TIES Imaging Competition is a flagship initiative aimed at promoting clinical excellence, fostering innovation in ophthalmic imaging interpretation, and providing a platform for young ophthalmologists and trainees to showcase their diagnostic skills in an engaging, competitive format. This year, the competition will consist of two parts: a creative Qualifier Round, where interesting cases are submitted and awardees are recognized, followed by an exciting onsite Grand Finale to be held during the APOIS-TIES Conference in the first week of November in Beijing, China.
Round 1: Qualifier Round – “Images That Speak – Stories from the Eye”
In the spirit of innovation, empathy, and excellence in eye care, we propose an engaging and thought-provoking qualifier round for the APOIS-TIES Imaging Competition. This round aims to celebrate the power of ophthalmic images not only as diagnostic tools, but as vessels of untold storytellers—capturing the journeys of vision lost and regained, the challenges of healthcare delivery in adversity, and the defining moments of clinical excellence.
The central theme of the qualifier round is: “Images That Speak – Stories from the Eye”
Participants are invited to submit a compelling visual story composed of 1 to 4 related images from a single patient or eyecare encounter—real or simulated—accompanied by a narrative of no more than 100 words. These submissions will be evaluated not just for diagnostic merit but for their emotional resonance, storytelling power, and creative interpretation.
Objectives
- Promote visual literacy among young ophthalmologists—enhancing their ability to not only interpret images but also recognize the deeper clinical and human narratives they reflect.
- Encourage empathy and storytelling in medicine, reinforcing the idea that every image has a patient and every patient has a story.
- Inspire innovation and creativity in the presentation of eye care challenges and triumphs.
- Identify top talents who can represent their subspecialty teams in the Grand Finale of the Imaging Competition during APOIS-TIES.
Why This Round?
This storytelling qualifier is more than a contest—it's a movement to humanize imaging, a call to reimagine how we see patients through pictures. It fosters reflection, empathy, and creativity—values at the core of the APOIS-TIES vision for transformative eye care.
Submission Guidelines
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The images are to be submitted under two different categories:
- Conventional (Non-AI-enhanced or Non-AI-generated)
- AI-enhanced or AI-generated
- There is no limit to the number of image submissions for a participant.
- During every image submission, participants can submit 1 to 4 related images (e.g., fundus photos, anterior segment images, ASOCT/OCT, angiography, external clinical photos, or healthcare delivery scenes).
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Each submission must include a 100-word narrative that tells a story from the images—this could be:
- A diagnostic or therapeutic journey
- A story of a patient’s resilience or transformation
- A unique moment in clinical care delivery
- An experience that changed the way the participant sees eyecare
- Real or simulated cases are allowed; consent must be obtained for real patient images as per institutional norms.
- File formats: JPG, PNG, DICOM
- Deadline: 31st Aug 2025
Who Can Participate?
- Open to young ophthalmologists, including residents, fellows, and early-career consultants (≤10 years from graduation).
- Each participant may submit only one entry.
Judging Criteria
| Criteria | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Narrative Impact & Clarity | 40% |
| Image Relevance & Quality | 30% |
| Creativity & Originality | 20% |
| Technical Accuracy | 10% |
Judges will comprise senior faculty, clinician-educators, and experts in ophthalmic imaging and medical humanities.
Round 2: "Vision Beyond Limits – Team-Based Imaging Challenge"
Finalists from the Qualifier Round will move on to the Grand Finale, held onsite during the APOIS-TIES Conference in Beijing, China, from November 7–9, 2025. This round will be dynamic, fast-paced, and team-based—designed to test not only individual skill but also collaboration under pressure.
What to Expect
In the Grand Finale, finalists will form teams and compete in a live imaging challenge. They will interpret real clinical cases using multimodal eye images, solve diagnostic puzzles, and defend their clinical thinking before a panel of expert judges.
- Team Formation: Finalists will be grouped into subspecialty teams (e.g., retina, cornea, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology).
- Case-Based Challenge: Teams will receive unknown clinical cases with a mix of imaging modalities (e.g., OCT, angiography, slit-lamp, external photos).
- Live Presentation: Teams will analyze cases, formulate diagnoses, suggest management, and explain key findings—live on stage.
- Scoring System: Based on teamwork, interpretation accuracy, clarity, innovation, and communication.
Goals of the Grand Finale
- ➢ Encourage teamwork across subspecialties
- ➢ Sharpen real-time diagnostic skills using eye imaging
- ➢ Promote leadership, communication, and teaching in clinical settings
- ➢ Celebrate excellence in a fun, competitive environment
Judging Criteria
| Criteria | Weight |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic Accuracy | 30% |
| Team Collaboration | 25% |
| Presentation Clarity | 20% |
| Clinical Insight & Reasoning | 15% |
| Innovation or Unique Perspective | 10% |
Recognition for Grand Finale Participants
All Grand Finale participants will:
- Receive an Official Finalist Certificate
- Be recognized during the APOIS-TIES Awards Ceremony
- Have their team presentations showcased in the conference archive
- Be featured on APOIS digital channels and social media
Winning teams may also receive:
- Special recognition trophies or prizes (details to be announced)
- Priority consideration for future APOIS programs or editorial projects
What Makes Round 2 Special?
This is not just a test—it's a celebration of clinical curiosity, collaboration, and the power of images to transform care. It's a chance for rising ophthalmologists to shine on a global stage and learn from peers and mentors in real time.
Organising Committee
Xinyuan Zhang
Min Wang
Zhiqing Li
Chitaranjan Mishra