http://www.retina-international.org/, https://linktr.ee/retina_int

Retina International, 12 Camden Row, Dublin 8, Dublin (2026)

20/08/2026

is shaping up to be a busy one for Retina International!

We're delighted to be joining the 26th EURETINA Congress in Vienna this October, with a packed programme of research, patient engagement, policy and collaboration.

One of the highlights will be our joint Retina International & EURETINA Symposium: “Fostering Retinal Innovation in Europe through Structured Collaboration.”

Saturday, 3rd October 2026 | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM CEST

Location: Strauss 1, VIECON – Vienna Congress & Convention Center

Co-Chaired by Franz Badura (Board Chair, Retina International) and Prof. Nicole Eter, the session will explore some of the key challenges and opportunities shaping retinal research and innovation in Europe.

The session will cover:

- The current landscape and challenges in retinal research and innovation
- Value-based care and patient-centricity in clinical innovation, presented by Dr Nabin Paudel, Director of Research, Patient Evidence and Programmes at Retina International
- European policy and collaborative action by Prof. Hélène Dollfus
- A panel discussion and audience Q&A

Bringing together perspectives from across the retinal community, the session will explore how structured collaboration, patient-centred approaches and coordinated action can help foster meaningful innovation.

Stay tuned, we have more updates coming soon!

1: Graphic promoting the Retina International and Euretina joint session, “Fostering Retinal Innovation in Europe through Structured Collaboration,” at the 26th Euretina Congress in Vienna on 3 October 2026.

2: Graphic introducing the speakers and co-chairs of the Retina International–Euretina joint session, featuring photographs of Franz Badura, Prof. Nicole Eter, Dr. Nabin Paudel and Prof. Hélène Dollfus.

17/08/2026

🎥 The European Medicines Agency Workshop on Geographic Atrophy endpoints is now available to watch.

Earlier this year, Retina International was proud to contribute patient voice and expertise to this session that brought together regulators, clinicians, researchers, industry and patient representatives to explore an important question:

How can we measure treatment benefit in ways that reflect what truly matters to people living with GA?

From visual function and imaging to patient-reported outcomes, quality of life and emerging measures of functional vision, patient perspectives were part of the conversation throughout the day.

Retina International was represented across multiple sessions, with contributions from our Board Member, Franz Badura, our CEO, Avril Daly, our Director of Research, Patient Evidence and Programmes, Dr Nabin Paudel, and our members, Alba Perez from FARPE and Inga Britt from The Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted.

We were particularly pleased to see patient experience recognised as an essential part of discussions around how treatment benefit is measured and ultimately evaluated.

Workshop recording - https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/events/european-medicines-regulatory-network-emrn-workshop-geographic-atrophy-endpoints -recording-83299

Read more on RI’s contribution to the workshop - https://retina-international.org/retina-international-contributes-patient-voice-and-expertise-to-ema-workshop-on-geographic-atrophy-endpoints/

We look forward to seeing how the outcomes of these conversations contribute to the continued development of meaningful, patient-centred endpoints for Geographic Atrophy.

[ID: Graphic featuring a video still from the European Medicines Regulatory Network workshop on Geographic Atrophy endpoints. Text below says “Recording Available Now.”]

15/08/2026

Foundation Fighting Blindness is now accepting applications for its Clinical Research Fellowship Award (CRFA), providing one year of $65,000 support for aspiring clinician-scientists interested in (IRDs).

The award is open to eligible clinicians with an M.D., D.O., O.D. or recognised equivalent foreign degree, and applications can be made in coordination with domestic or international academic institutions, hospitals and affiliated laboratories.

The programme is designed to support clinicians in their first or second year of fellowship, helping develop the next generation of researchers working towards better understanding and treatment of IRDs.

Application deadline: 15th October 2026
Proposer's Day: 3rd September 2026, 11 AM–12 PM ET

Individuals with disabilities and those from underrepresented racial, ethnic and gender groups are encouraged to apply.

If you're eligible, or know an early-career clinician-scientist who might be, please share this opportunity with your network.

Find out more and apply: https://www.fightingblindness.org/clinical-research-fellowship-award-crfa?vcrmeid=vmsyyJCqwUyYc8UTfqPg&vcrmiid=GLOWnQq18UOFaF-05_pBsQ

[ID: Graphic announcing the Foundation Fighting Blindness Clinical Research Fellowship Award (CRFA). It highlights a $65,000 one-year award supporting early-career clinician-scientists researching IRDs, with Proposer’s Day on 3 September 2026.]

12/08/2026

The eclipse is here! Here's how to enjoy it while protecting your eyes. 🌑☀️

A solar eclipse is a spectacular natural phenomenon, and for many people it may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But there's one thing we don't want you to forget: protect your retina.

Looking directly at the Sun, even when most of it is covered by the Moon, can cause permanent retinal damage, which can be painless, and vision changes may not be immediately obvious.

So, if you're planning to watch:

- Use certified solar eclipse glasses

- Attend a safe, organised viewing event

- Watch a trusted livestream

- Use the pinhole projection method to view the eclipse indirectly

- Follow appropriate guidance if photographing the eclipse

At the same time, remember:

- Don’t look directly at the Sun with your naked eyes

- Don’t rely on ordinary sunglasses

- Don’t look through your phone or camera at the Sun

- Don’t use binoculars or telescopes without appropriate solar filters

- Don’t use smoked glass, stacked sunglasses or other improvised filters

There are lots of ways to experience the eclipse without putting your eyesight at risk.

Enjoy the spectacle. Protect your Sight!

Guidance adapted from the Irish College of Ophthalmologists.

12/08/2026

Today, on International Youth Day, we're celebrating the incredible young people across our global retinal community who continue to inspire, advocate, innovate and support one another.

Over the past year, we've heard powerful conversations about navigating education, careers, mental health, and life with a retinal condition. Last year's Retina International Youth Conference reminded us just how valuable it is to create spaces where young people can connect, learn and share their experiences.

🎥 If you missed it, or would like to revisit it, you can watch last year's Youth Conference recording here: https://youtu.be/un-bdSPrn1M?si=Ya8SJbbL12gppa5w

But this is only the beginning...

This year, we're working on something even bigger. Alongside our upcoming Youth Conference, we're developing new ways for young people to stay connected, share experiences and build a stronger international community throughout the year.

We're looking forward to sharing more very soon!

Happy from all of us at Retina International! 💙

[ID: Participants of the Retina International Youth Council at the 2024 RIWC in Ireland, celebrating community and youth leadership. Above the image: “Happy International Youth Day” and features the Retina International Youth Council logo at the bottom.]

07/08/2026

What is ?

Act4RED is a global initiative bringing together patients, clinicians, researchers and advocacy organisations to improve outcomes for people living with .

Together, Retina International, Ern-Eye, Foundation Fighting Blindness, and the Ocular Diseases Forum are working to raise awareness, influence policy, strengthen research, and ensure patient voices remain at the heart of innovation.

By working together, we can improve diagnosis, expand access to care and rehabilitation, accelerate research, and help build a future where no one living with a rare eye disease is left behind.

Together, we can .

Check out our podcast on why patient voices must drive policy, research, and care - https://youtu.be/H_y8-DhqMRA

1: Graphic introducing Act4RED, a global campaign to stop vision loss, jointly led by Retina International, ERN-EYE, Foundation Fighting Blindness, and the Ocular Diseases Forum.

2: Graphic explaining that millions of people live with rare eye diseases, many of whom remain underdiagnosed, underfunded, and without effective treatments.

3: Graphic listing examples of rare eye diseases, including Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stargardt Disease, Usher Syndrome, Leber Congenital Amaurosis, and Choroideremia.

4: Graphic highlighting Act4RED's goals: earlier diagnosis, better care, research and innovation, access to emerging therapies, and improved quality of life.

5: Graphic outlining Act4RED's advocacy priorities, including better policies, increased investment in vision research, collaboration, patient-centred care, and stronger international partnerships.

31/07/2026

We're delighted to announce that Retina International's Director of Research, Patient Evidence and Programmes, Dr Nabin Paudel, will present at the upcoming EURETINA Congress 2026, taking place in Vienna this October!

Our abstract, "Anxiety, Depression and Suicidal Ideation among People Living with Inherited Retinal Degenerations: Results of a Multinational Survey", has been accepted for oral presentation.

📍 Date: 4 October 2026
🕜 Presentation Time: 13:33–13:39
📌 Session: Free Paper 47 – Inherited Retinal Disease

This important research explores the emotional and psychological impact of inherited retinal degenerations ( ), highlighting the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among people living with these conditions across multiple countries.

We're proud to contribute to the growing body of evidence on the lived experience of people with IRDs and look forward to engaging with colleagues from across the global retinal community at .

[ID: Graphic promoting our presentation at EURETINA 2026 in Vienna, featuring the abstract title "Anxiety, Depression and Suicidal Ideation among People Living with Inherited Retinal Degenerations: Results of a Multinational Survey."]

24/07/2026

What does "value" really mean when it comes to developing new therapies?

For many people living with inherited retinal diseases, value isn't measured only by clinical tests or healthcare costs. It can mean maintaining independence, staying in employment, navigating the world more confidently, preserving mental wellbeing, or simply holding on to the vision they have.

Inspired by discussions at the Retina International World Congress 2024, this article explores why patient perspectives must be embedded throughout the therapy development journey, from research and clinical trial design to regulation, health technology assessment, and access decisions.

The message is simple: therapies should be developed not only for patients, but with patients.

Swipe through to learn more.

Click here to read the full article - https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1481670/full

Slide 1: Titled "Why Patient Voice Matters in Therapy Development" with RI branding on a dark grey background and a highlighted yellow title panel.

Slide 2: Healthcare systems often measure value through costs, efficiency, and clinical outcomes, while patients define value more broadly.

Slide 3: Graphic highlighting that patients are experts in living with their condition and that their experiences help shape better research, clinical trials, and treatments.

Slide 4: Graphic explaining that many IRDs progress slowly and that maintaining vision or slowing progression can be life-changing, even when traditional trial measures may not capture these benefits.

Slide 5: Graphic listing where patients should be involved throughout therapy development, including research design, natural history studies, clinical trials, outcome measures, regulatory decisions, and access discussions.

Slide 6: Graphic showing that a therapy's impact extends beyond vision, including improved mobility, independence, confidence, mental wellbeing, education, and work opportunities.

Slide 7: Graphic explaining that developing a new therapy can take more than 10 years and significant investment, and that patient partnership helps ensure meaningful outcomes.

Slide 8: Closing graphic emphasising that the future of retinal innovation must be patient-centred, with lived experience helping shape better trials, policies, and access to therapies.

20/07/2026

We're pleased to share that our research has now been published in the ARVO 2026 Annual Meeting Abstract Issue.

“Association Between Vision and Mental Health: Findings from Wave 3 of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)”

Presented at this year's ARVO Annual Meeting, this study explores the relationship between vision and mental health, contributing to the growing body of evidence on the broader impact of visual impairment on people's well-being and quality of life.

As Retina International continues to advance patient-centred research, studies like this help strengthen our understanding of the lived experience of people with retinal conditions and support future research, policy, and care.

🔗 Read the abstract: https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2817303&resultClick=1

[ID: Graphic announcing a newly published ARVO 2026 abstract titled Association Between Vision and Mental Health: Findings from Wave 3 of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), with a QR code linking to the abstract.]

15/07/2026

We're delighted to share that our research has been published in the ARVO 2026 Annual Meeting Abstract Issue.

“Association Between Visual Acuity and Cognitive Performance: Evidence from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)”

Presented at this year's ARVO Annual Meeting by our Post-Doctoral Researcher, Kate Fankun Cao, the study explores the association between visual acuity and cognitive performance, contributing to a broader understanding of the links between vision health and healthy ageing.

Generating high-quality evidence is central to Retina International's mission, helping to inform future research, clinical practice, and policy that improve outcomes for people living with retinal conditions.

🔗 Read the abstract: https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2815535&resultClick=1

[ID: Graphic announcing a newly published ARVO 2026 abstract titled Association Between Visual Acuity and Cognitive Performance: Evidence from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), with a QR code linking to the abstract.]

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