Retina International is looking forward to a busy few days at the 26th EURETINA Congress in Vienna (1 – 4 October 2026, Vienna Congress & Convention Center), with a programme spanning patient engagement, research, innovation, policy, artificial intelligence, inherited retinal diseases and mental health.
We are delighted to be contributing to a number of sessions and activities throughout the EURETINA programme, alongside our colleagues across the retinal community.
RI at EURETINA: At a glance
Retina International & EURETINA Joint Session
Fostering Retinal Innovation in Europe through Structured Collaboration
Saturday, 3rd October | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM CEST
Strauss 1, VIECON – Vienna Congress & Convention Center
Retina International and EURETINA will come together for a joint session exploring how structured collaboration can help advance retinal research and innovation across Europe.
The session will include:
-
Introduction – Franz Badura and Prof. Nicole Eter
-
Current landscape and challenges in retinal research and innovation
-
Value-based care and patient-centricity in clinical innovation – Dr Nabin Paudel
-
European Policy & Collaborative Action – Prof. Helene Dollfus
-
Panel Discussion & Audience Q&A
The session will bring together perspectives from across the retinal ecosystem to explore how patient-centred approaches, coordinated policy and collaboration can help foster meaningful innovation in Europe.
Session: More Than Machines: Elevating Patient Communication in the AI Era
Saturday, 3rd October | 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
Strauss 1, VIECON – Vienna Congress & Convention Center
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape healthcare, meaningful and effective communication between patients and healthcare professionals remains essential.
Avril Daly will contribute to this session, presenting “Top tips for improving your patient consult.”
The session will explore how emerging technologies can be used alongside, rather than instead of, meaningful patient communication and engagement.
ERN-EYE Patient Meeting: Where Are We Now: Updates in Inherited Retinal Diseases
Saturday, 3rd October | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM CEST
Palais Liechtenstein, Fürstengasse 1, 1090 Vienna
Our CEO Avril Daly will contribute to the ERN-EYE Patient Meeting, “Where are we now: Updates on Inherited Retinal Diseases – RP, Usher and more,” strengthening collaboration between patient organisations, clinical networks and other stakeholders working across inherited and rare eye diseases.
The session will provide an opportunity to consider developments and priorities across inherited retinal diseases from a range of perspectives.
Register here – Usher Austria
Mental Health Research Presentation
Sunday, 4th October | 1:33 PM – 1:39 PM
Free Paper 47 – Inherited Retinal Disease
Retina International’s Director of Research, Patient Evidence and Programmes, Dr Nabin Paudel, will present findings from our multinational research into the emotional and psychological wellbeing of people living with inherited retinal degenerations.
Presentation: “Anxiety, Depression and Suicidal Ideation among people living with Inherited Retinal Degenerations: Results of a multinational survey”
The research highlights the importance of understanding the broader lived experience of IRDs and ensuring that mental health and quality of life are recognised as important components of retinal care and research.
Meet us in Vienna
EURETINA 2026 will be an important opportunity to connect with patients, clinicians, researchers, industry partners, policymakers, and colleagues from across the global retinal community.
From advancing patient-centred research and meaningful endpoints to strengthening European collaboration and ensuring patient experience informs innovation, we look forward to bringing the patient voice into the conversations shaping the future of retinal health.
If you are attending EURETINA 2026 and would like to connect with the Retina International team, please get in touch with us at ellen.moran@retina-international.org.
More programme information:
EURETINA 2026 Programme
