Retina International

Retina International
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Each month, we feature powerful personal stories from our members, offering a unique window into their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. In addition to these firsthand accounts, we’ll engage with leading researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and industry innovators to explore the latest advancements in retina research, cutting-edge care solutions, and the evolving landscape of support for those living with retinal conditions. Tune in for thought-provoking conversations that illuminate the path forward in the fight against retinal degenerative diseases. https://retina-international.org/

  1. Retina International In Focus Podcast: Professor Jose Carlos Pastor

    04/23/2025

    Retina International In Focus Podcast: Professor Jose Carlos Pastor

    On this week’s episode of the RI In-Focus podcast, Dr. Orla Galvin welcomes Professor Jose Carlos Pastor from the Institute for Applied Ophthalmology (IOBA) in Valladolid, Spain, who is Director of the IOBA retina group. Jose is also an ophthalmologist and joins Orla to discuss his experience of COVID-19 and its impact on ophthalmology which he believes is not being considered a priority health discipline, particularly from his experience within the clinic. Additionally, Jose speaks very passionately about the need for adopting a multidisciplinary and more unified approach to advancing research in all specialties, something he feels will emerge after the COVID-19 pandemic as scientists from various research collaborate in earnest to develop a safe and effective vaccine.

    21 min
  2. Retina International In Focus Podcast: Brian Mansfield

    04/23/2025

    Retina International In Focus Podcast: Brian Mansfield

    This week, Avril welcomes Brian Mansfield, PhD from Foundation Fighting Blindness to the RI In-Focus podcast. Brian is Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President of Research with FFB and joins Avril to discuss the MyRetina tracker registry; a research database of people and families affected by rare inherited retinal degenerative diseases (IRDs), which is provided by FFB. Brian explains the importance of knowing your genetic code and how the MyRetina tracker works to help people understand the condition that they live with. In this way, it helps to accelerate the discovery of treatments and cures for IRDs by sharing de-identified information within the research and clinical communities to enhance our understanding of the genes causing the disease, how the disease progresses and how it impacts people’s lives. For people that are interested in joining the registry, Brian also offers information so that you can get involved. If you wish to enquire further about the registry, please contact: coordinator@MyRetinaTracker.org Further information on Genetic Testing is available on the Foundation Fighting Blindness website: Open Access Genetic Testing Program General Genetic Testing Information

    26 min
  3. Retina International In Focus Podcast: Russell Wheeler

    04/23/2025

    Retina International In Focus Podcast: Russell Wheeler

    This week, Avril welcomes Russell Wheeler to the Retina International In-Focus podcast. Since the diagnosis of his son with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, a rare and inherited retinal condition, Russell has been a long-standing patient advocate within the retina community, working at a European level and as a patient representative on the board of the ERN-EYE. In this episode, Russell explains in great detail the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process, which is designed to collect and summarise information about a health technology such as drugs and medical devices with respect to their safety and effectiveness, as well as ethical, legal and other issues. In his conversation with Avril, Russell highlights the importance of patient engagement and involvement with the HTA process, and how, in his experience, having the patient perspective and voice as a key component in the decision making process has benefitted the outcomes for patient communities.

    34 min
  4. Retina International In Focus Podcast: Petia Stratieva

    04/23/2025

    Retina International In Focus Podcast: Petia Stratieva

    This week, RI Science Communications Executive, Seán Heagney welcomes Petia Stratieva, MD, PhD to the In-Focus podcast. Petia is a medical doctor and passionate patient advocate as a person living with Retinitis Pigmentosa who also has significant experience working in industry and thus understands the perspective of many stakeholders within the retina community. In this episode, Petia explains to Seán the challenges she and many others face to raise awareness around retinal conditions, including inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) in Bulgaria and Eastern Europe and how this inspired her to establish Retina Bulgaria in 2018. Petia also speaks in depth about the importance of inter-organisational engagement throughout Europe and the globe, as well as the need for transnational partnership to support the establishment of smaller and more recently founded organisations to help them grow and contribute as a vital part of the global community.

    20 min
  5. Retina International In Focus Podcast: Chad Andrews

    04/23/2025

    Retina International In Focus Podcast: Chad Andrews

    In episode 9 of the In-Focus podcast, Avril is joined by Chad Andrews from Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC). Chad works at FBC as Senior Advisor on Policy, Equity and Access. In their discussion, Avril and Chad discuss the multifarious projects and educational initiatives he has been involved in with FBC, including Vision Class and the Young Leaders Program as well as other newly established projects to support FBC’s members during COVID-19. Chad speaks in detail about some of FBC’s current initiatives, including Vision Quest and FBC’s ongoing webinar series View Point, which ranges from presentations on scientific research, such as stem-cell therapy, to discussions on social distancing and coping with sight loss during COVID-19. Registration for these webinars is free and can be done on the FBC website, where recording for previously-held meetings can also be found. Chad also explains to Avril the burden-of-illness studies being conducted by FBC during this time to understand the challenges and obstacles of living with vision loss from the patient’s perspective, as well as their Cycle For Sight fundraising event which is scheduled for Saturday June 20th 2020. It’s certainly not an episode to be missed!

    18 min
  6. Retina International In Focus Podcast: Carol Brill

    04/23/2025

    Retina International In Focus Podcast: Carol Brill

    In episode 8 of the In-Focus podcast, Avril welcomes Carol Brill to speak about her life and experience as a person living with Usher Syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to being on the Board of Directors for Fighting Blindness Ireland and CureUsher, Carol is very involved with the Retina International Usher Syndrome Special Interest Group and leads a very active lifestyle, as a member of her local Stackstown golf club and Irish Blind Golf. In her interview with Avril, Carol speaks openly and honestly about how the current pandemic has impacted her as a person living with a visual impairment,  and the issues she has faced with respect to the accessibility of many virtual platforms for the visually impaired community. As these means of communication become more prominent, Carol recognises that special considerations will need to be made to make these technologies more inclusive and accessible for the retina community. Additionally, as a person living with what she describes to be an “invisible” disability, Carol highlights the importance of raising awareness around the reality of retinal conditions and other disabilities which are not so easily recognised and urges us to become a more compassionate and considerate society post COVID-19.

    20 min
  7. Retina International In Focus Podcast: Professor John Flannery

    04/23/2025

    Retina International In Focus Podcast: Professor John Flannery

    This week, Avril welcomes Professor John Flannery to the Retina International In-Focus podcast. John is Professor of Vision Science and Neuroscience in the Department of Molecular Biology in University of California, Berkeley. In this episode, John’s explains the concept of optogenetics; a technique which involves light and genetic engineering (editing the genetic information) to control neuronal cells, and how he is applying it in his research to restore normal light-sensing capability to the photoreceptor cells of the retina and treat retinal conditions. Photoreceptor cells are responsible for detecting light which enters the eye and converting it to electrical impulses which are delivered to the brain, so images can be formed of our external environment. As many common and rare retinal conditions are caused by the degeneration and death of the rod and cone photoreceptor cells to cause a decline in peripheral or central vision respectively. In addition to discussing optogenetics, John also discusses other forms of gene therapy which are being investigated in treating a number of common and inherited retinal diseases, including Age-related Macular Degeneration and Leber Congenital Amaurosis.

    13 min
  8. Retina International In Focus Podcast: Marina Sutter

    04/23/2025

    Retina International In Focus Podcast: Marina Sutter

    This week, Dr. Orla Galvin Director of Research Policy at Retina International hosts and welcomes  Marina Sutter, Interim Chair of the Retina International Youth Council to our latest episode in a series of In-Focus podcasts. At the age of 12, Marina was diagnosed with an inherited retinal disease (IRD) called Stargardt Disease, a form of Juvenile Macular Degeneration. Although a challenging time for her, Marina remembers fondly the incredible support she received from her teachers and parents, who supported and empowered her throughout her journey. However, through Marina’s involvement and experience in the retina community at large, she is acutely aware that many young people have not had the same positive experiences, with many lacking similarly empowering figures in their lives. Through her role at Retina International as Interim Chair of the Retina Youth Council, Marina is working to provide comprehensive resources and social supports for young people living with retinal degenerations globally. Additionally, Marina believes this will help to establish a wide-reaching and welcoming community for young people to share their experiences, meet other young people in similar circumstances and realise they are not alone, something Marina regrets to admit she has heard too often from young people in the past.

    17 min
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About

Each month, we feature powerful personal stories from our members, offering a unique window into their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. In addition to these firsthand accounts, we’ll engage with leading researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and industry innovators to explore the latest advancements in retina research, cutting-edge care solutions, and the evolving landscape of support for those living with retinal conditions. Tune in for thought-provoking conversations that illuminate the path forward in the fight against retinal degenerative diseases. https://retina-international.org/

Information

  • Creator
    Retina International
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Retina International
  • Show Website
    Retina International