Symposia

May 3 & 7 | 8 - 10am MT

Sunday, May 3

8 - 10am MT

Mitochondria as therapeutic targets in ocular neurodegeneration and regeneration

Speaker(s): Navdeep Chandel; Patrick Yu-Wai-Man; Yang Hu; Lieve Moons; Wei Li; John Ash

Description:

Mitochondria are essential to the survival and function of nearly every eukaryotic cell, and they contribute much to metabolic control and cellular processes and pathways. Of particular importance, mitochondria produce the majority of the cellular ATP required to sustain neuron growth, survival, function, and regeneration. Mutations in mitochondrial proteins and dysfunction of these organelles also strongly contribute to a growing list of inherited diseases and various neurodegenerative disorders, including retina and optic nerve diseases. Because of their central role in human health and disease, it is crucial not only to understand the basic biology and fundamental function of these organelles but also to identify their pathogenic dysfunction to reveal novel therapeutic options for enhancing neuroprotection and regeneration. In line with the 2026 ARVO Annual Meeting theme, Achieving Precision Ophthalmology Through Innovative Vision Research, this symposium, consisting of a discussion among leading researchers in both basic mitochondria biology and mitochondria-relevant retina/optic nerve diseases, will be timely and useful for planning future research directions in neuroprotection and regeneration. The program will begin with a comprehensive overview of systematic cutting-edge studies of mitochondria, followed by clinical manifestations of mitochondrial diseases in the retina and optic nerve, and concluding with a discussion of specific aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction/enhancement related to neurodegeneration and regeneration, highlighting the therapeutic potential of new molecular approaches to restore mitochondrial health in ocular diseases.

Single cell intravital immune imaging in the living human eye

Speaker(s): Ethan Rossi; Juliette McGregor; Ester Carreno; Viacheslav Mazlin; Andrew Mehta; Scott Mueller; Richard Rosen

Description:

In recent years, rapid advances in intravital imaging modalities have made it possible to observe and track individual immune cells as they patrol and survey ocular microenvironments in living humans. These intravital studies allow novel insights into the normal biology of the immune system and allow for deeper investigations into the associations of immune cell behaviours with eye diseases and conditions. Quantitative analysis of immune cell densities, trafficking, motility, and activity can be used to identify immune profiles of ocular tissue in healthy eyes and in perturbed states caused by infection, autoimmune disease, or following minor physiological challenge. Interactions between motile leukocytes with stable tissue components, including nerves, blood vessels, or even other immune cells, further our understanding of the complex cellular interplay in the eye. In this session, recent updates on label-free imaging of immune cells as they dynamically navigate the cornea, retina, anterior chamber, vitreous, and other ocular tissues will be discussed. Future directions, including the potential for precision immunology and for the enhanced utility of automated imaging methods to streamline and improve cell analysis workflows, will be presented.

The transformative role of human organoids and iPSCs in ocular research

Speaker(s): Clive Svendsen; Jason Meyer; Shigeto Shimmura; Shukti Chakravarti; Michiko Mandai; Robert Johnston; M. Valeria Canto-Soler

Description:

This symposium will explore the groundbreaking potential of human organoid and organ-on-chip technologies in advancing ocular research and therapy. As we strive to achieve precision ophthalmology, these innovative models are transforming our understanding of eye development, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic discovery. Expert speakers will highlight recent advancements in the generation and application of human corneal and retinal organoids, as well as organ-on-chip platforms that accurately recreate the complex microenvironments of ocular tissues. The symposium will showcase how these models are being utilized to uncover the pathophysiology of corneal diseases, retinal degenerations, and glaucoma, while also accelerating the development of novel, patient-specific therapies.

Thursday, May 7

8 - 10am MT

Impact of aging on retinal blood flow

Speaker(s): Tony Ko; Phillip Bedggood; Stephen Burns; Toco Chui; Michael Atlan; Khushmeet K. Dhaliwal; Ching-yu Cheng

Description:

Fifty years ago, retinal blood flow velocity was measured for the first time using laser Doppler velocimetry. Since then, significant progress has been made, and ultrahigh resolution imaging techniques have been developed. As the population ages, changes to the eye include changes to the blood flow and vasculature. This can ultimately lead to neurodegenerative conditions and vision loss. In this symposium, we will celebrate this achievement. Panelists will describe the current state of the art in measuring and quantifying retinal blood flow and discuss its relevance in treating disease and limiting vision loss with ageing. They will also look forward to what the near future holds with improved imaging technology and with AI analysis.

Latest advances in treating retinal degenerative diseases

Speaker(s): Eric Pierce; Adriana di Polo; Catherine Bowes-Rickman; Penelope Allen; Serge Picaud

Description:

Retinal degenerative diseases, including conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and glaucoma, affect approximately 25 million people in the United States and over 250 million people worldwide. Current treatment strategies aim to repair or preserve retinal function through approaches such as gene therapy to correct mutations linked to inherited retinal degeneration, neuroprotective drugs to extend the survival of fragile retinal neurons, and stem cell therapies or prosthetic devices to replace neurons once they are lost. Exciting new methods to slow or even reverse degeneration are rapidly emerging. This symposium will present the latest research in each of these fields, led by experts developing these innovative therapies.