Retina 2018 - Public Engagement Day 

Saturday, October 6 

Register Now!

The Retina 2018 Public Engagement Day is a unique opportunity to speak to leading doctors and researchers and learn about specific conditions and the research that is aiming to find therapies to treat it.

Registration is essential!

Attendance at Retina 2018 is free for Fighting Blindness members.  A complimentary promo code has been sent to all members for free registration. If you are a member and have not received a code, or would like to check the status of your membership, please call us on 01 6789 004.

For non-members, a nominal fee of €10 applies which can be paid via the online registration form or by calling us on 01 6789 004. 

You can register online by clicking 'Register Now'. Please note that you will need a functioning email address to register online. If you do not have an email address please register by calling a member of the team on 01 6789 004.

For more information please visit www.Retina.ie.

Retina 2018 Public Engagement Day Programme

8:45am Registration and tea/coffee

Welcome & Introduction

9.30am Welcome Address Fighting Blindness CEO Kevin Whelan

09:45am Official Opening of Retina 2018 TBC

10am Session 1:     The Research Journey – lab to treatment

Chair: Prof Breandán Kennedy, University College Dublin and Dr Laura Brady, Fighting Blindness Research Manager

Understanding mechanisms behind retinal degenerations

Dr Sarah Doyle, Trinity College Dublin

Understanding genetics in inherited retinal degenerations

Mr Adrian Dockery, Trinity College Dublin

Using zebrafish models to understand inherited sight loss

Ms Rebecca Ward, University College Dublin

10:50am The Clinical Trial Landscape

Mr Ben Shaberman, Foundation Fighting Blindness, USA

11:30am Presentation of the Geraldine Duggan Award

11:40am Coffee break

11:50am Session 2: Condition Specific Breakout Sessions

1.00pm Lunch and Socialising (boxed lunch)

Session 3:     Addressing the here and now

Chair: Dr David Keegan, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin

2pm Genetic Counselling in retinal disease                           

Jacqueline Turner, Target 5000 Genetic Counsellor

2:20pm Positive Mindset Limitless Life

Victoria Claire, Retina UK Ambassador

2:50pm Imagine television with impaired vision... We do.

David Nason, Fighting Blindness member

Session 4: Identifying the Impact of Sight Loss

Chair: John Delany, Fighting Blindness Senior Counselling Manager and Amanda Kenny Fighting Blindness Communications Manager

3.10pm Emotional Support Vision Champions

 Ms Amanda Hawkins, Need to Talk

3.20pm Importance of Identifying Impact of sight loss 

Dr Mhairi Thurston, Abertay University, Scotland

3.40pm Paddy Byrne Empowerment Award

Session 5:     Closing Session

Chair: Prof Brendan Buckley, Fighting Blindness Chairperson 

3.45pm Access to Medicines

Caitríona Dunne, Fighting Blindness Advocacy Manager

3.55pm Summary and Closing Remarks

Prof Brendan Buckley, Fighting Blindness Chairperson

4.05pm Visionaries Choir Performance

4:30pm Conference Close

Retina 20178— EXPERT / PIONEERING / CONNECTED

Follow Retina 2018 on Twitter!  @fight_blindness #RetinaDublin