Overview of the United in Vision 2026 Event
Below is a summary of the events. Further details will be shared as they finalize.
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Wednesday, June 10, 2026 |
Retina International World Congress Youth Council* Event & Evening Social Event (invitation only). |
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Thursday, June 11, 2026 |
Retina International World Congress Continuous Education Session (invitation only). |
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Friday, June 12, 2026 |
United in Vision 2026 – presented by Foundation Fighting Blindness VISIONS Conference and Retina International World Congress. |
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Saturday, June 13, 2026 |
United in Vision 2026 – presented by Foundation Fighting Blindness VISIONS Conference and Retina International World Congress. |
Current Schedule for Public Events
Our schedule is continually being updated as new sessions, speakers, and events are confirmed. Please check back regularly for the latest information.
Friday, June 12, 2026
| Activity | Location | Start Time | End Time | |
| Concurrent Science Sessions |
Optogenetics for Sight Restoration Speakers: Mark Pennesi, MD, PhD, FARVO; Sara Thomasy, PhD |
10:30 a.m. | 11:35 a.m. | |
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Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Speakers: Brian Ballios, MD, PhD; David Gamm, MD, PhD |
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Genetic Therapies: Gene Therapy and Genome Editing Speakers: Leah Bryrne, PhD; Peter Quinn, PhD; Erwin van Wijk, PhD |
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Genetic Testing and Counseling Speakers: Kari Branham, MS, CGC; Linda Reis, MS, LCGC |
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Eye Health and Nutrition Speakers: Sheldon Rowan, PhD; Jason Comander, MD, PhD |
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| Concurrent Adapting & Thriving Sessions |
Life Together: Exploring the Benefits of Intersectionality in Personal Relationships Speakers: David Martin, Christy Vanek |
10:30 a.m. | 11:35 a.m. | |
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Bridging the Gap: What Questions to Ask Your Retina Specialist Speaker: Caesar Luo, MD |
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| Luncheon Keynote Speaker |
Anastasia Pagonis Paralympic gold and bronze medalist, world record–holding swimmer, and advocate. |
12:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. | |
| Concurrent Science Sessions |
Gene Agnostic Therapeutic Approaches Speakers: John Ash, PhD; Jami Kern, PhD |
3:10 p.m. | 4:15 p.m. | |
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Optogenetics for Sight Restoration Speakers: Mark Pennesi, MD, PhD, FARVO; Sara Thomasy, PhD |
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Emerging Technologies: Retinal Prosthetics, whole eye transplant, therapies, virtual reality in clinical trials. Speakers: Colas Authie, PhD; Lauren Ayton. PhD; Chad Jackson, PhD; Erwin van Wijk, PhD |
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| Adapting & Thriving Sessions |
A New Way to Swing: Staying in the Game with Vision Loss Speaker: Bob Banks, President, USBGA |
3:10 p.m. | 4:15 p.m. | |
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Employment for All: Building Accessible Career Pathways Speakers: Mike Hess & John Samuel |
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| Science Plenary Session |
From Bench to Bedside: It Takes a Global Village Speakers: Shannon Boye, PhD; Dan Chung, DO, MA; Dominik Fischer, MD; Rusty Kelley, PhD; Jo Milne |
4:20 p.m. | 5:25 p.m. | |
| Mix & Mingles (various) | 7:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
Saturday, June 13, 2026
| Activity | Location | Start Time | End Time | |
| Clinical and Research Updates |
Usher Syndrome Speakers: Mariya Moosajee, PhD; Kirk Stephenson, MD |
9:00 a.m. | 10:25 a.m. | |
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Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) Speakers: Jason Comander, MD, PhD; Jillian Pearring, PhD |
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Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) Speakers: Robert Koenekoop, MD, PhD, FARVO; Michel Michaelides, MD |
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Stargardt Disease & Macular Dystrophies Speakers: Oleg Alekseev, MD, PhD; Janet Sparrow, PhD |
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Age-Related Macular Degeneration Speakers: Aparna Lakkaraju, PhD; Christopher Toomey, MD, PhD |
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Other Retinal Diseases (CHM, BCM, XLRS) Speakers: Leah Byrne, PhD; Dominik Fischer, PhD |
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| Concurrent Science Sessions |
Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Speakers: Brian Ballios, MD PhD; David Gamm, MD, PhD |
10:30 a.m. | 11:40 a.m. | |
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Genetic Testing and Counseling Speakers: Kari Branham, MS, CGC; Linda Reis, MS, LCGC |
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Access to Innovation and Therapies Speakers: Dan Chung, DO, MA; Todd Durham, PhD; Michel Michaelides, MD |
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| Adapting & Thriving Sessions |
Addressing O&M Barriers and Expanding Access to Services Speakers: Leslie Hoskins, Alyssa Otis |
10:30 a.m. | 11:40 a.m. | |
| Mental Health Session |
Breaking the Barriers Speakers: Silvia Cerolini, Lea Gaffen-Kessel, Ethan Lester, PhD |
1:15 p.m. | 2:30 p.m. | |
| Closing Session |
Hopes and Challenges for the Coming Years Speakers: Jason Menzo, Avril Daly, Michel Michaelides, MD |
3:00 p.m. | 3:45 p.m. |
*The Retina International Youth Council (RIYC) is a special interest group representing young adults and parents of minors affected by retinal degenerative conditions. The Council members come from all over the world, from Brazil to Bulgaria to Australia, and are between the ages of 18 and 35. The RIYC serves to bring the perspective of young people to the Executive Team and Governance bodies of RI. RIYC members take part on a voluntary basis, and are occasionally requested to represent RI at relevant meetings and events.
