Retina International

08/10/2026

08/10/2026

This , we’re celebrating the power of a connected global retina community!

For people living with retinal conditions, being able to access the right information, resources and support can make a real difference. And it’s also about being able to connect with others, share experiences and have your voice heard.

That’s at the heart of what we do at Retina International, and it’s also at the heart of our new website, launching on 5th November 2026.

Designed with our global community in mind, the new website brings together more information, resources, research, education and opportunities to connect with Retina International and organisations across our network.

Accessibility has been a key priority throughout. Members and collaborators from across the retina community have helped shape the website through focus groups, surveys and user testing, sharing their experiences and helping us understand what they need from an RI website.

We’re proud to share what we’ve been working on and look forward to welcoming you to the new site.

Launching 5th November 2026!

Read more: https://retina-international.org/world-sight-day-2026/



Social graphic for World Sight Day 2026 announcing “A new digital home for our global retina community,” highlights four benefits: more accessible, more intuitive, more resources, and more connected, with RI branding and website www.retina-international.org.

08/10/2026

We are excited to support Retina4Future's first Open Day on hashtag , bringing together patient organisations, researchers, clinicians, and other collaborators in the retinal space for meaningful discussions around retinal research and innovative therapies.

This online event will take place simultaneously in several languages: Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, English, and Macedonian across Europe at 11:30 AM (CET).

Join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/d3xPdqiu

06/10/2026

That’s a wrap on EURETINA 2026!

From packed sessions and thought-provoking discussions to brilliant meetings with colleagues, partners and members of the wider retinal community, EURETINA 2026 was a fantastic opportunity to connect, share and learn.

We were delighted to share more about our work across research, patient experience, advocacy, policy and innovation, and to bring the patient perspective into conversations around the future of retinal care and therapeutic development.

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with us, attend our sessions, share their expertise and engage in the conversations.

And a special shoutout to our RI team who represented us throughout the congress:

Franz Badura, Board Chair
Avril Daly, CEO
Dr Nabin Paudel, Director of Research, Patient Evidence & Programmes
Dr Ellen Moran, Head of Scientific Affairs

From European policy and emerging therapies to patient-centred research, meaningful outcomes and the future of retinal innovation, there was plenty to discuss, and plenty to take back with us.

Thank you, team EURETINA, for bringing the retinal community together! Looking forward to the next one already!



ID1: Left to Right - Ellen Moran, Nabin Paudel and Avril Daly in front of VIECON Convention Centre with EURETINA branding.
ID2: Dr Nabin Paudel from RI, presenting findings from our Mental Study at EURETINA.
ID3: Left to right - Avril Daly, Helene Dollfus, Franz Badura, and Nicole Eter at RI and EURETINA Joint Session.
ID4: Avril Daly presenting at the Retina International Partner Meeting at EURETINA.
ID5: Avril Daly presenting at EURETINA - Top Tips for Patient Consult.

01/10/2026

Our member organisation FARPE recently hosted a Spanish-language webinar alongside Fundaluce “Usher Syndrome: A Dialogue with Specialists”, bringing together specialists to discuss Usher syndrome.

The session, held on 24 September, is now available to watch online. It is a useful resource for people living with Usher syndrome, families and members of the wider retinal community.

Watch the full webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_YGQij4oxI

Desde Retina International, nos complace compartir las iniciativas de nuestras organizaciones miembros que ayudan a informar, conectar y fortalecer a la comunidad de pacientes en todo el mundo.

Gracias a FARPE, FUNDALUCE y a nuestro miembro de la Junta Directiva, David Sánchez, por organizar y compartir este espacio.

English Translation: From Retina International, we are pleased to share the initiatives of our member organisations that help inform, connect and strengthen the patient community around the world.

Thank you to FARPE, FUNDALUCE and our Board Member, David Sánchez, for organising and sharing this space.



[ID: Graphic announcing a webinar on Usher Syndrome, hosted by FARPE and Fundaluce, with the recording now available.]

01/10/2026

This Saturday, 3rd October, people living with inherited retinal diseases, families and patient representatives in Austria will come together in Vienna for the USHER Austria Patient Symposium 2026: “Where are we now: Updates on Inherited Retinal Diseases – RP, Usher and more.”

Organised by Usher Initiative Austria in collaboration with the Ern-Eye the afternoon will bring together leading experts from across their network to discuss the latest developments in IRD research, clinical trials and therapeutic approaches.

We are also pleased to share that Retina International CEO Avril Daly will be joining the programme to speak about the role of Retina International and our work representing and connecting the global retinal patient community.

Importantly, the programme also puts the patient perspective at its centre, with discussion on the role of patients within the ERN-Eye network and beyond.

Date - 3rd October 2026
Time - 13:30–16:30 CEST
Venue - Palais Liechtenstein, Vienna

For more information: https://ow.ly/gshz50ZTqwP

[ID: Graphic promoting the ERN-EYE Patient Symposium, “Where Are We Now?”, on inherited retinal diseases, taking place on 3 October 2026 in Vienna, with several featured speakers.]

30/09/2026

Just a few days away from EURETINA Congress 2026!

Retina International's Director of Research, Patient Evidence and Programmes, Dr Nabin Paudel, will be giving an oral presentation on our abstract, "Anxiety, Depression and Suicidal Ideation among People Living with Inherited Retinal Degenerations: Results of a Multinational Survey".

📍 Date: 4th 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 .

If you’re attending, please do drop by and say hello. We would love to take you through the preliminary results of our study!



[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."]

29/09/2026

Last week, we were delighted to join the 2026 European Federation of Neurological Associations Conference in Dublin, celebrating 25 glorious years of the organisation.

It was a full day of thought-provoking conversations across lived experience, patient advocacy, research, innovation and meaningful patient involvement.

These spaces are an important opportunity to learn from other patient communities, share experiences and explore how advocacy can create meaningful change. Many of the challenges we face across retinal diseases are shared across the wider rare disease and neurological communities, and there is so much we can learn from one another.

Ultimately, it comes back to the same thing: strengthening the patient voice and ensuring people living with rare diseases have a meaningful role in shaping the research, care and policies that affect their lives.

Huge congratulations to the EFNA team on 25 years of advocacy, involvement and collaboration, and a massive thank you to the EFNA Executive Director, Dr Orla Galvin, for giving us the opportunity to join the conference!



ID1: Our team members Kate Fancun Cao (L) and Navya Dhir (R)at the EFNA Conference standing between EFNA and RI's branded standees.
ID2: Our team member Navya Dhir (L) standing next to Dr Orla Galvin, Executive Director of EFNA

27/09/2026

Lighting up Spain for World Retina Day!

Retina International is proud to support our member organisation, FARPE, in its 2026 “Lights That Inspire: Spain Lights Up the Retina” campaign.

Today, 27 September, landmarks across Spain will light up blue and green as part of “Lights That Inspire: Spain Lights Up the Retina” - a powerful reminder of the importance of research, early diagnosis, equitable access to treatments and support for people and families affected by vision loss.

Join the campaign. Light up. Share.



Learn more about their campaign:
➡️ https://www.retinafarpe.org/nota-de-prensa-campana-luces-que-inspiran-2026/
➡️ https://retina-international.org/2026-lights-that-inspire-spain-lights-up-the-retina-world-retina-day/

27/09/2026

World Retina Day | Sunday, 27 September 2026

This World Retina Day, Retina International is highlighting an often-overlooked part of living with retinal disease: mental health and emotional well-being.

Our ongoing, patient-led mental health research is helping us better understand the wider impact of retinal conditions on people’s lives. The emerging evidence reinforces what our community has been telling us for years: the impact of retinal disease extends far beyond vision.

Mental health support should be an integral part of retinal care - from diagnosis and throughout the disease journey, whether or not a treatment is available.

“Our community has consistently told us that the emotional and social impact can be just as significant [as the impact on vision]. This World Retina Day, we want to make sure mental health is recognised as an essential part of the conversation.”

— Avril Daly, Chief Executive Officer, Retina International

Our research has initially focused on inherited retinal degenerations, while recognising that people living with retinal conditions across different diagnoses, stages of disease and life circumstances can experience significant emotional and psychological challenges.

As we prepare to present our work at EURETINA - European Society of Retina Specialists, we look forward to sharing further findings with our community and working with our members and partners to translate patient evidence into meaningful action.

Vision is only part of the story. Mental health belongs in retina care.

Learn more: https://retina-international.org/ri-on-world-retina-day-27-sept-2026-embedding-mental-health-support-within-retina-care/