Below is the current VISIONS 2024 schedule of events. This page will be updated as further details are confirmed.
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Activity | Location | Start Time | End Time | |
Registration Desk Open | 7th Floor Registration/North Office | 10:00 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. |
Friday, June 21, 2024
Activity | Location | Start Time | End Time | |
Registration Desk Open | 7th Floor Registration/North Office | 7:00 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | |
Breakfast | 7th Floor Foyer | 7:30 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. | |
Kickoff and Welcome | Salon I & II | 8:50 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | |
Opening Session |
Technology: The Greatest Equalizer. Join three trailblazing tech leaders as they discuss what they have learned to be the keys to greater digital accessibility, from their professional accomplishments, and their lived experiences with visual impairments. Discover firsthand how innovations are empowering individuals irrespective of visual ability. From groundbreaking AI advancements to the transformative impact of inclusive design, explore the tools revolutionizing daily life and professional success. Gain insights into the vital collaboration between tech giants and the blind community and be inspired to champion inclusion in the digital landscape. Don't miss this opportunity to shape a future where technology tears down barriers and fosters equity for all. Speakers: Mike Hess, John Samuel, Rebecca Rosenberg |
Salon I & II | 9:00 a.m. | 10:15 a.m. |
Refreshment Break | 7th Floor Foyer | 10:15 a.m. | 10:30 a.m. | |
Concurrent Science Sessions |
Optogenetics for Sight Restoration This session will discuss optogenetics, a method of endowing non-photoreceptor cells with light-sensing capabilities. This is most applicable to late-stage patients. Speakers: Paul Bresge, Eric Daniels, and Ethan Rossi |
TBD | 10:30 a.m. | 11:35 a.m. |
Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Stem cell therapies are based on the premise that we could restore vision if we could replace missing or nonfunctional functional cells, either through transplantation or by inducing existing eye cells to create more photoreceptors. These therapies are likely to be most beneficial for mid- to late-stage patients. Speakers: Katherine Uyhazi, Srinivasa Sripathi |
TBD | |||
Genetic Therapies: Gene Therapy and Genome Editing This session will discuss therapies that are gene and/or mutation specific, including gene therapy and genome editing. Speakers: Kenji Fujita, Renee Ryals |
TBD | |||
Emerging Technologies: Retinal Organoids, RNA Editing, Retinal Prosthetics, and Artifical Intelligence This session will discuss hot topics on retinal biology, including retinal organoids, RNA editing, retinal prosthetics, and the use of AI in ophthalmology. Speakers: Bob Bell, Karl Wahlin, Hossein Ameri, Kerry Goetz |
TBD | |||
Clinical Trials: What Should You Know? This session will provide clinician and participant perspectives on inherited retinal disease clinical trials and discuss the importance of natural history studies for interventional clinical trials. Speakers: Todd Durham, Kristin Macdonald, Thomas Mendel |
TBD | |||
Luncheon Keynote Speaker |
Sam Latif Proctor & Gamble, Accessibility Leader |
Salon I & II | 12:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. |
Exhibit Hall Opens | Salon III | 2:00 p.m. | 7:30 p.m | |
Concurrent Science Sessions |
Gene Agnostic Therapeutic Approaches This session will discuss gene agnostic therapeutic approaches, which are applicable to multiple retinal diseases and patients at early to mid-stage of disease progression. Speakers: Dan Chung, Michael Voevodsky, Jami Kern |
TBD | 3:10 p.m. | 4:15 p.m. |
Eye Health & Nutrition This session will discuss how dietary supplements and lifestyle choices can influence eye health (e.g. smoking, exercise. Speakers: Paul Berstein, Abigail Fahim |
TBD | |||
Optogenetics for Sight Restoration This session will discuss optogenetics, a method of endowing non-photoreceptor cells with light-sensing capabilities. This is most applicable to late-stage patients. Speakers: Paul Bresge, Eric Daniels, and Ethan Rossi |
TBD | |||
Concurrent Adapting & Thriving Sessions |
Travel Speaker: James Ashworth |
TBD | 3:10 p.m. | 4:15 p.m. |
Advocacy Speaker: Christy Vanek |
TBD | |||
Science Plenary Session |
Inherited Retinal Disease Genetics: Testing and Registries This session will discuss the importance of genetic testing and give an overview of the Foundation's My Retina Tracker Registry. Speakers: Todd Durham, Kristi Lee, Ramiro Maldonado |
TBD | 4:20 p.m. | 5:25 p.m. |
Fireside Chat | Foundation board chair, David Brint, sits down with Judge David Tatel to discuss vision loss, his career and latest book. | TBD | 5:25 p.m. | 5:45 p.m. |
Welcome Reception | Salon III | 5:45 p.m. | 7:00 p.m. |
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Activity | Location | Start Time | End Time | |
Registration Desk Open | 7th Floor Registration/North Office | 7:00 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | |
Breakfast | Salon III | 7:30 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. | |
Exhibit Hall Open | Salon III | 8:00 a.m. | 1:30 p.m. | |
Clinical and Research Updates |
Usher Syndrome This session will provide an update on clinical and fundamental research on Usher syndrome. Speakers: David Corey, Benjamin Bakall |
TBD | 9:00 a.m. | 10:25 a.m. |
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) This session will provide an update on clinical and fundamental research on retinitis pigmentosa. Speakers: Robert Hyde, Miranda Sacalbrino |
TBD | |||
Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) This session will provide an update on clinical and fundamental research on Leber congenital amaurosis. Speaker: Tomas Aleman, Bikash Pattnaik |
TBD | |||
Stargardt Disease & Age-Related Macular Degeneration This session will provide an update on clinical and fundamental research on Stargardt disease and dry age-related macular degeneration. Speakers: Thomas Wubben, Jason Miller, Esther Biswas-Fiss |
TBD | |||
Macular Dystrophies This session will provide an update on clinical and fundamental research on macular dystrophies, including Best disease and pattern dystrophies. Speakers: Neraj Jain, Andrew Goldberg |
TBD | |||
Other Retinal Diseases This session will provide an update on clinical and fundamental research on choroideremia, achromatopsia, blue-cone monochromacy, and X-linked retinoschisis. Speaker: Paul Sieving, Abigail Fahim |
TBD | |||
Concurrent Science Session |
Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Stem cell therapies are based on the premise that we could restore vision if we could replace missing or nonfunctional functional cells, either through transplantation or by inducing existing eye cells to create more photoreceptors. These therapies are likely to be most beneficial for mid- to late-stage patients. Speakers: Katherine Uyhazi, Srinivasa Sripathi |
TBD | 10:30 a.m. | 11:40 a.m. |
Clinical Trial Readiness This session will focus on empowering patients to decide if participation in a clinical trial is right for them and discuss how natural history studies pave the way for interventional clinical trials. Speakers: Todd Durham, Kristin Macdonald, Thomas Mendel |
TBD | |||
Concurrent Adapting & Thriving Session |
An In-Depth Process of Applying for a Guide Dog. Learn what to expect when applying for a guide dog, including review of the application materials and potential outcomes. Additionally, an in-depth discussion on the skills required to be approved for a guide dog from the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) standards. Speakers: Leslie Hoskins & Alyssa Otis |
TBD | 10:30 a.m. | 11:40 a.m. |
Low Vision/Rehabilitation Services Speaker: Francisco Jose Richardson |
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Boxed Lunch | Salon III | 11:45 a.m. | 12:55 p.m. | |
Mental Health Session | Speakers: Ann Wagner, Eric Ringham, Tim Ogden | TBD | 1:00 p.m. | 2:45 p.m. |
Refreshment Break | 7th Floor Foyer | 2:45 p.m. | 3:00 p.m. | |
Closing Session Keynote Speaker |
To be announced | Salon I & II | 3:05 p.m. | 4:15 p.m. |
Closing Reception | 7th Floor Foyer | 4:15 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
Curious which sessions to attend? Here are a few recommendations.
TRACKS |
Newly Diagnosed |
Early/Mid-Stage Disease |
Late-Stage Disease |
No gene known |
Concurrent Session I |
Genetic Therapies: Gene Therapy and Genome Editing |
Genetic Therapies: Gene Therapy and Genome Editing |
Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine or Clinical Trial Readiness or Emerging Technologies |
Optogenetics for Sight Restoration or Stem Cells |
Concurrent Session II |
Eye Health and Nutrition or Gene Agnostic Approaches |
Eye Health and Nutrition or Gene Agnostic Approaches |
Optogenetics for Sight Restoration |
Eye Health and Nutrition or Gene Agnostic Approaches |
Plenary |
Inherited Retinal Disease Genetics: Testing and Registries |
Inherited Retinal Disease Genetics: Testing and Registries |
Inherited Retinal Disease Genetics: Testing and Registries |
Inherited Retinal Disease Genetics: Testing and Registries |
Concurrent Session III |
Disease-Specific Meeting of Choice |
Disease-Specific Meeting of Choice |
Disease-Specific Meeting of Choice |
Disease-Specific Meeting of Choice |
Concurrent Session IV |
Clinical Trials: What Should You Know? |
Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine or Clinical Trials: What Should You Know? |
Stem Cells or Clinical Trials: What Should You Know? |
Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine or Clinical Trials: What Should You Know? |