United In Vision 2026 Conference
Hope, Science and Solidarity in Fort Worth, Texas
A joint congress of Retina International and Fighting Blindness USA.
“I was privilege to represent Retina South Africa at this amazing congress. I was part of something remarkable: a gathering of around 650+ people, drawn from across the United States and every corner of the world, all united by a single conviction — that a future with more sight, more support and more dignity is within our reach”.
Science
The research presented in Fort Worth was exhilarating. Today the world has one approved gene therapy, Luxturna, treating the RPE65 form of Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). But the message from researchers was unanimous and electrifying: within the next three to five years, we can realistically expect many more treatments to reach patients.
Part of this acceleration has an unexpected source. The systems built to fast-track approvals during the COVID-19 pandemic have carried through to the regulatory process for other research- combining trial phases and trimming timelines. What used to take ten years is now happening in a fraction of that time.
Mental Health
Beyond the science and clinical data, one theme ran through the whole conference- mental health. It matters for every human-being, but for those of us living with sight loss it can carry an added weight. Research shared by Retina International found that in the retinal vision loss community: 3 in 10 people suffer from depression, and 5 in 10 people suffer from anxiety.
The call from Fort Worth was clear, we need to speak about it openly, without shame, and hold one another up along the way. This is a difficult road for many of us — but it is one we never have to walk alone. Mental Health must become one of our next great priorities.
The World In Our Pockets
Although it is never great to lose your vision, in many ways this is the best time in history to be a person with sight loss, because of the extraordinary technology now within our reach. We were able to test tools that are not yet in South Africa — but are not far off, either.
One that captured everyone’s imagination was GoodMaps, an AI-powered navigation app developed in the United States. Rather than relying on physical beacons installed throughout a building, it uses the camera on your phone — or a pair of connected smart glasses — together with artificial intelligence to guide you confidently through a city centre or public space. It is already active in USA and parts of Europe, and hopefully soon in Africa. To think that this kind of independence may soon live in our pockets is genuinely thrilling.
Stronger Together
A single word that captures the congress is TOGETHERNESS. The people from around the world united under one roof — as a community, as a society, and as a movement pushing forward to advocate for services, for treatment, and for the rights of everyone affected by retinal vision loss.
Pictured [from left] RI Delegates at the United in Vision Congress: David Sanchez, Spain, Chair RI Frans Baduras, Germany, Nabim Paudel, RI Staff, Ireland, Jason Menzo, CEO FFB, USA- Congress Organiser, Jeremy D’Souza, Australia, Manny Moodley, Avril Daly CEO Retina International, Ireland, Rosemary and Leighton Boyd, Australia, Claire Duggan, staff RI Office
This is the heart of what we believe at Retina South Africa, and it echoes a truth we hold dear- the concept of Ubuntu; I am, because we are. We are, without question, stronger together. It was a great honour to represent Retina SA on that stage, and an even greater joy to bring this hope home to you.
