OSA 2025 Winners Reflect on Ophthalmology’s Future

The Ophthalmology Star Awards (OSA) 2025, held by VSY Biotechnology GmbH during the ESCRS 2025 Congress in Copenhagen, once again placed a spotlight on innovative, high-impact research in ophthalmology. With the goal of promoting scientific excellence among early-career researchers, this year’s OSA winners shared their reflections on receiving international recognition and the significance of their work in advancing eye care.

First Place – Gema Martínez Navarrete (Spain)

Although unable to attend the ESCRS 2025 Congress in person, Gema Martínez Navarrete was awarded first place for her study titled “A novel bevacizumab delivery system using solid lipid nanoparticles for potential wet age-related macular degeneration treatment: An in vivo study.”

Reflecting on the award, she shared:

“Receiving the Ophthalmology Star Award 2025 is a true honor and a source of joy for me and for my team. This recognition, of such international relevance, makes us feel proud of the path we are building in ophthalmology and vision research. Behind each project there are many hours of dedication, patience, and the conviction that our work can improve the lives of people affected by visual disorders. Knowing that this effort is valued by the scientific community gives us renewed energy to keep moving forward with enthusiasm and responsibility. For me, this award is not only a recognition of a work, but also a motivation to continue contributing to the future of ophthalmology.”

Second Place – Ahmet Kırgız (Türkiye)

Ahmet Kırgız received second place for his clinical research titled “Clinical outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segment (CAIRS) in the treatment of keratoconus.”

Sharing his reaction to the award, he said:

“I am deeply honored to receive the Ophthalmology Star Award 2025. This recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a great motivation to continue advancing research in the field of ophthalmology. I am grateful to my colleagues who have supported me throughout this journey. This award inspires me to contribute further to scientific progress for the benefit of patients.”

Third Place – David Lockington (United Kingdom)

The third-place award went to David Lockington who was recognized for his pilot study titled “Impact of temperature on ophthalmic viscosurgical devices and clinical implications: a pilot study.”

Speaking about the significance of the award, Lockington said:

“It’s a big honor to receive this award. I’m grateful that such recognition raises the profile of our research from Glasgow, leading to greater awareness and future collaborations. This will help us serve our patients even better. Congratulations to fellow prize winners Gema Martínez Navarrete and Ahmet Kırgız, and thanks to VSY Biotechnology for providing this forum to promote excellence.”

Continuing to Foster Scientific Advancement

The Ophthalmology Star Awards, held by VSY Biotechnology GmbH, continues to support and elevate early-career researchers making meaningful contributions to ophthalmic science. The initiative reflects a growing commitment across the eye care industry to recognize and empower young talent dedicated to improving vision health.