Retina International is proud to support our member organisation, FARPE, in its 2026 “Lights That Inspire: Spain Lights Up the Retina” campaign. This inspiring initiative brings together communities across Spain to raise awareness of inherited retinal diseases and Low Vision, while shining a light on the importance of research, early diagnosis, access to care and support for people living with vision loss.
Please read FARPE’s statement below, and visit their website here, to learn more about this important yearly campaign:
Worldwide, 2.2 billion people live with a visual impairment, and one billion of them could have avoided or treated it. This figure reminds us why we keep working, researching and joining forces so that light reaches more and more people. Every year, science takes another step towards a cure. This offers real hope for those living with an inherited retinal dystrophy. In 2026 we light up Spain in blue and green for the fourth consecutive year.
The campaign “Lights That Inspire: Spain Lights Up the Retina” once again illuminates buildings and monuments across the country to raise awareness of rare retinal diseases and Low Vision. We do so alongside Retina International, ERN-EYE and organizations that work every day for Low Vision and Blindness, strengthening a collaborative network that makes us stronger.
This year we have taken important steps. We have renewed our website, retinafarpe.org, incorporating the latest research advances, new clinical trials and updated resources for patients and families. We have multiplied our webinars, creating spaces for training, support and community that bring science and experience closer to those who need them most. And we have promoted the book “Emociones a la vista y al tacto” (“Emotions in Sight and Touch”), which, thanks to the solidarity of hundreds of people, has become real funding for research, allowing FUNDALUCE to keep growing and moving forward.
At the same time, we continue to advocate for measures that promote early diagnosis, research and equitable access to treatments, as well as the strengthening of the Reference Centers, Services and Units (CSUR) and the European Reference Network on Eye Diseases (ERN EYE). Our goal is clear: to improve the quality of life of those affected and their families.
This September 27, Spain lights up the retina once again. Every light that is switched on is a message. Every participating municipality is a stronger voice. Every gesture counts. Join in. Light up. Share. #LightsThatInspire2026.
Learn more: https://retina-international.org/2026-lights-that-inspire-spain-lights-up-the-retina-world-retina-day/
