Happy #RetinaUKDay & #WorldSightDay! 💙

As we celebrate 50 years, our community across the UK is raising awareness & funds for inherited sight loss. Text RETINAUKDAY to 70450 to donate £5 ⭐

 #Accessible A photo of our 50th anniversary cake, with the caption: “Today is Retina UK Day 2025!”.

#Accessible Navy blue background, white font "Retina UK Webinars", on the left is a picture of grass with sport rackets and balls scattered on the floor. Title of webinar in yellow (mention above) with date (17 Oct) and time (7pm) below. Across the image is a blue banner with the words "don't miss out" in the centre.

🚨 Don’t miss out! Our next free webinar is happening next Thursday and we’re teaming up with British Blind Sport! 

👉 Head to the link to register: https://retinauk.org.uk/event/webinar-getting-active-sport-and-sight-loss-with-british-blind-sport/

#Accessible picture of Professor Rachael Pearson smiling at the camera.

We wish to thank Stavros Niarchos Foundation for their recent grant to Retina UK, supporting Professor Rachael Pearson’s research project on retinal organoids.

Please see our recent edition of Look Forward to find out more: https://retinauk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/LF-ISSUE-187-LR.pdf.

We’re here to tell you about the #RetinaUK Membership, open to the inherited sight loss community. 🚨 Join our club for just £24 a year and have your voice heard. 💙

Find out more: https://retinauk.org.uk/membership
 
#Accessible Video of a staff member talking about membership.

#Accessible A photo of snow on the trees, with the caption: “Visit our Retina UK shop & stock up on your charity Christmas cards!”.

We’d love you to browse this year’s Christmas cards and spread festive joy by stocking up today! 🎄 Two designs are by Adrian Paternoster & Tina Wray, who both live with retinitis pigmentosa. Please visit our shop: https://retinauk.org.uk/shop/ 💙

#Accessible picture of a Retina UK staff member feet up on the desk. She is wearing black trousers and white trainers. There is a laptop and computer screen in the background of the image.

Phew… what a conference! 🎉

A massive thank you to everyone who joined us – our exhibitors, speakers, and attendees made it truly unforgettable.

Now it’s time to put our feet up (literally) and reflect on two days full of learning, inspiration, and connection. See you all next year! 💙

Thank you for exhibiting at our conference!

So glad you enjoyed! Thank you for coming,

💙 Play the #RetinaUK #Lottery for just £1 a go & you could win £25,000 weekly! 💥 28 supporters have already won – you could be next: https://retinauk.org.uk/lottery

#Accessible: Photo of lottery balls with text “Win £25,000 in time for Christmas with the Retina UK Lottery!”.

#RetinaUK50 #BBCLifelineAppeal #TeamRetinaUK
#Accessible The text reads: “Our BBC Lifeline Appeal will air on BBC One on Sunday 16 November 2025!” and below it is the BBC Lifeline logo and the Retina UK 50th anniversary logo.

Exciting news! Retina UK will be the focus of a BBC Lifeline Appeal on BBC One!

Save the date and tune in on Sunday 16 November 2025. 🚨

Find out more and sign up for a reminder: https://retinauk.org.uk/get-involved/donate/bbc-lifeline-appeal. ⭐

And that’s a wrap on an incredible weekend at the Retina UK Annual Conference – what a great 2 days! 🎉

Thank you to everyone who joined us. We are so grateful for your continued support and commitment to our community.

#RetinaUKConf25
#AnnualConference
#Volunteers
#ThankYou

Prof Julie Silvestri, wearing a purple top against a gray background.

Our ‘Ask the Expert’ session with Prof Julie Silvestri was a fantastic opportunity for delegates to explore the latest in care and research.

🩺 She answered questions from our community, sharing insights and practical guidance

#RetinaUKConf25
#AskTheExpert
#SightLossSupport
#Ophthalmology

Panel discussion with four speakers on stage, including a sign language interpreter at the bottom right. Audience attentively watching.

That was such a powerful session! Community choices sharing their lived experience across various topics.

A powerful reminder that research and innovation must remain anchored in lived experience. 

#RetinaUKConf25
#LivedExperience

James Clarke stands at a podium speaking, with a presentation slide behind him displaying the text "Creating Change Together" and a logo celebrating 50 years.

Thank you to the Income Generation team for that session! The session emphasized that real change arises when researchers, clinicians, funders, and community members come together with shared purpose.

#RetinaUKConf25
#CreatingChange

A man speaks at a podium in a conference room, presenting slides. Attendees are seated facing him, attentively listening.

Christopher Patnoe (Google) led a reflective session on the power of inclusive design and iterative innovation.

Delegates left with a renewed appreciation for how technology can reshape daily life and expand possibilities.

#RetinaUKConf25
#AccessibleTech
#InclusiveDesign

Speakers from AAVantgarde, Octant, Alkeus, Sepul Bio, and Beacon Therapeutics shared how discoveries at the bench are moving closer to real-world impact.

#RetinaUKConf25 #BiotechForSight

Rectangular cake with "RETINA UK 50" logos, adorned with bubbles displaying words like "Volunteers," "Ambitious," "Research," and "Impact."

It is time for you to grab your cuppas! A moment to pause, reflect, and connect. The morning reminded us that innovation in sight loss is not just about technology, but about human stories, collaboration, and resilience.

#RetinaUKConf25
#MorningReflections
#SightLossResearch

Prof Jane Sowden stands at a lectern, gesturing with her hands. Behind her, a slide on retinal anatomy is visible.

Professor Jane Sowden shared inspiring insights from her research.

What stood out was the careful balance between scientific ambition and patient-centered focus — the session reminded us that each approach has the potential to transform lives.

#RetinaUKConf25
#InnovationInSight
#RestoringVision

Professor Michel Michaelides speaks at a Retina UK event, presenting on eye research advancements. Audience listens attentively.

To kick off our research morning we were joined by Prof Michel Michaelides. From the complexities of genetics to the tools and machines that enable diagnosis, he acknowledged both the misses or experiments and the marvels that bring hope.

#RetinaUKConf25
#RetinalResearch
#ScientificJourney

Prof John Marshall speaks at a podium with a Retina UK 50th anniversary backdrop, discussing vision and progress.

✨ Kathy Evans (Chair of Trustees) and Professor John Marshall MBE opened the day with a profound reflection on 50 years of progress in research, treatment, and community support for people with sight loss.

#RetinaUKConf25
#50YearsOfImpact
#VisionToReality

The Retina UK Annual Conference is officially underway! Registration is now open for the Retina UK Annual Conference 2025.

It's fantastic to see so many faces coming together to share knowledge and experiences.

Let’s make today memorable!

#RetinaUKConf25
#Networking
 #Community

A pile of blue and white lanyards with "Retina UK" printed on them, attached to clear plastic name badge holders.

👏 That’s a wrap on the Retina UK Professionals Conference 2025!

A heartfelt thank you to all our speakers, delegates, and community members who made today such a success.

Safe travels, everyone!

#RetinaUKConf25
#ProfessionalsConference

A man in a yellow sweater (Davinder Kullar) speaks at a Retina UK event. A presentation slide behind him reads, "Technology: creating changing opportunities for people with inherited sight loss."

This afternoon, our in-person delegates joined role-specific sessions:

👁 ECLOs: Stevie Johnson (RNIB)

🧩 Rehabilitation & Habilitation Specialists: Simon Labbett and Bhavini Makwana

🔍 Eye Care Professionals: Louise Gow (RNIB)

Thank you for sharing your expertise!

#ReitnaUKConf25

A diverse group of people seated in a conference room, engaged in a panel discussion with three speakers at the front.

A woman stands at the front of a conference room speaking to a seated audience. She gestures towards a flip chart beside her.

For our other in person and online delegates, Davinder Kullar shared how technology is transforming independence and opportunity for people with inherited sight loss.

From assistive devices to digital innovations, tech is changing lives.

#RetinaUKConf25
#AssistiveTech

A table filled with brown paper bags under a screen displaying "RETINA UK 50 Years," supporting inherited sight loss.

It’s lunchtime here at the #RetinaUK Professionals’ Conference! An excellent opportunity to network with fellow professionals and exchange ideas about the future of eye care support. Let’s keep the conversation going!

#RetinaUKConf25
#Networking
#EyeCareSupport

Next up was Michael Crossland and Rachael Canavan explored strategies to support the mental wellbeing of young people living with progressive vision loss.

A vital session highlighting the connection between vision impairment and emotional health.

#RetinaUKConf25
#MentalWellbeing

Rob Henderson standing on a stage in a conference room, showing a slide presentation to an attentive audience.

Our afternoon has opened up with Robert Henderson who shared the latest research developments in IRDs, giving delegates an update on emerging treatments and scientific progress.

Exciting advances are shaping the future of care and therapy.

#RetinaUKConf25
#RetinalResearch

A white mug filled with tea sits on a wooden coaster, accompanied by two chocolate chip cookies on a white background.

☕ Time to grab a cuppa! The morning has been packed with insights from research, surveys, and community voices. What’s been your highlight so far?

#RetinaUKConf25