Retina International

A global space for young people with retinal conditions to connect, share and be heard

Date: 18 September 2026
Time: 9 AM CET & 3 PM CET
Platform: Zoom (Online)
Eligibility: 18-35 years

This September, we’re bringing young people from across the world together for the Retina International World Youth Conference 2026, a space for honest conversations, shared experiences, practical ideas and new connections.

From hearing from people who have been there, discovering new ways of navigating everyday life, to asking questions and meeting others who understand, this year we’re bringing it all.

Two Sessions

Because our community spans the globe, we’re running two sessions on the same day.

Both sessions will follow the same core programme, with the different timings making it easier for young people from different parts of the world to participate.

Morning Session: 9 AM CET – Registration Link
Afternoon Session: 3 PM CET – Registration Link

Agenda

We’ve brought together a mix of research, technology, lived experience and plenty of conversation.

Session 1: Findings from Retina International Mental Health Studies

Dr Nabin Paudel, Director of Research, Patient Evidence and Programmes, Retina International

We’ll open with a look at the preliminary findings from Retina International’s Mental Health Studies. Read the abstracts here.

We’ll explore what the research is telling us about the experiences of people living with retinal conditions and what these findings could mean for our community.

Session 2: Navigating Life with AI & Assistive Technology

Eko Vision Foundation

AI and assistive technology are changing what’s possible for people with vision impairment. But what does that actually look like in everyday life?

This practical session will explore how emerging technology can support young people with retinal conditions across education, employment, independence and everyday tasks.

Only for the afternoon session: Comedian Jamie MacDonald will share his personal journey from diagnosis, through denial and towards acceptance, told through his perspective. The session will be honest, witty and humorous, offering a different and more personal take on navigating life with a retinal condition. This session will be right before the Panel Discussion.

Session 3: Panel Discussion

Our main panel discussion will bring together people with different experiences of sight loss, retinal conditions, advocacy, work and community.

Panel speakers for Morning Session:

Rishabh Gupta – Writer, author of What I See Now
Nidhi Goyal – Founder & CEO, Rising Flame; disability rights activist, youth leader, public speaker and women’s disability champion
Dr Kenisha Coon-Santiago – Director of Community Engagement, Eko Vision Foundation; TEDx Speaker, Legally Blind Advocate and Behavioural Scientist
Daniel Lewis – Secretary & Statutory Officer, Retina New Zealand
Jess McQueen – Vice President & Membership Coordinator, Retina New Zealand

Panel speakers for Afternoon Session:

Claire Sisk – Blind content creator, TV presenter and disability advocate
Rishabh Gupta – Writer, author of What I See Now
Cory Rainford – Creator of Legally Blind No Limits and disability advocate
Dr Kenisha Coon-Santiago – Director of Community Engagement, Eko Vision Foundation; TEDx Speaker, Legally Blind Advocate and Behavioural Scientist
Marina Leite-Brandao – Board Member, Retina International and Chair of the Retina International Youth Council

We’ll move beyond the usual conference questions and have an honest conversation about what often doesn’t make it into formal discussions about disability.

What’s next?

The September conference is the start of something bigger, creating more opportunities for young people with retinal conditions to connect, share experiences, learn together and shape what comes next.