Minisymposia
(all times shown are MT)
Sunday, May 4
1 - 2:45pm
The translational scientist: Building programs for a brighter future (AP)
Speaker(s): Anita Chan; Mona Wang; Lauren Dalvin; Colleen Cebulla; Mohamed Abdel-Rahman; Martina Herwig-Carl; Swathi Kaliki
Description:
Translational research has the potential to dramatically shape the future of medicine. Bringing problems from the bedside into the lab and developing solutions that will ultimately improve patient outcomes can be a long journey and requires a team effort. Integrating the knowledge of clinical experts with basic scientists is paramount to pushing the envelope toward a brighter future. This symposium will discuss aspects of how to build a successful collaborative project along with some important discoveries resulting from collaborative teamwork in the fields of ocular oncology and pathology.
Vice Presidential Minisymposium: Advanced retinal imaging (IM)
Speaker(s): Richard Rosen; Michael Atlan; Tong Ling; Maciej Wojtkowski; Rainer Leitgeb; Xinyu Liu
Description:
Ocular imaging is a highly dynamic field that has seen multiple innovations in recent years. With the introduction of optical coherence tomography (OCT), retinal imaging has moved towards in vivo biopsy, but the information obtained is largely structural. Nowadays, there is a shift towards functional imaging targeted to obtain functional aspects of the retina using functional OCT and other technologies. In addition, efforts to improve axial and lateral resolution have been successfully implemented, allowing for single-cell visualization as well as the study of anatomical structures that were previously inaccessible, such as scleral collagen fibers. The current symposium will also cover functional techniques aimed at assessing ocular blood flow and neuronal function. In addition, low-cost OCT will be introduced, offering a pathway towards home monitoring for retinal disease.
3:15 - 5pm
Advances in corneal imaging: Novel technology from Bench to Bedside (CO)
Speaker(s): Daniel Saban; Kostadinka Bizheva; Yan Li; Viacheslav Mazlin; Kirill Larin; Travis Redd; Laura Downie
Description:
The cornea is responsible for transmitting and focusing light and housing the stem cells which repopulate and maintain its surface (limbus). Corneal diseases can affect the light transmission properties of the cornea and/or alter its shape, while limbal stem cell dysfunctions can compromise the regeneration of the corneal epithelium. All of these pathologies can potentially lead to blindness. Our ability to image the cornea is important for early and more precise diagnostics of anterior ocular pathologies, to better understand their origins, and to stage their progression. Such knowledge can lead to more effective therapeutic approaches. In this minisymposium, international experts will review the latest developments of imaging technologies for the cornea and its limbus – ranging from micro to macro-scale – and in preclinical models to clinical patients. The discussion will encompass the latest advances in molecular labeling, optical coherence tomography, biomechanics, and the innovative applications of artificial intelligence for early detection of corneal diseases.
Restoring the retina (VN)
Speaker(s): Juliette McGregor; Daniel Palanker; Rachael Pearson; Frans Vinberg; Maureen McCall; Henri Leinonen; Richard Kramer
Description:
Restoring sight or preventing vision loss in visually impaired or blind patients has been a long-sought-after goal. Various promising strategies are being developed, and some are already being tested in humans. Most of these strategies target the retina. Examples include optogenetic tools, implants, and cell, gene, or pharmacological therapy. In this minisymposium organized by the VN Section, the audience will be updated on the recent development and beneficial aspects of a selection of promising therapeutic strategies at cellular and molecular levels that are being evaluated to restore vision in animal models, and in preclinical as well as clinical studies.
Monday, May 5
8:30 - 10:15am
Emerging Waves in Digital Eye Health (CL)
Speaker(s): Yukun Zhou; Qingyu Chen; Yih Chung Tham; Brian L. VanderBeek; Michele Hribar
Description:
In alignment with the ARVO 2025 theme, "i3: imagining innovation and intelligence in vision science," this symposium delves into the latest advancements in digital eye health. We will explore how foundation models (FMs), ‘language-customised’ models, benchmarking datasets, open-source datasets, and digital screening devices are shaping the future of ophthalmology. As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies such as foundation models, large language models (LLMs), and open-source datasets evolve, they present transformative opportunities for both clinical care and research in ophthalmology. By leveraging these cutting-edge technologies, we can push the boundaries of early disease detection, precision diagnostics, and data interpretation in ophthalmology. This symposium will highlight the emerging and novel aspects of these models, focusing on the potential of next-generation FMs, language-enhanced models tailored for eye health, and benchmarking tools designed to evaluate AI models specific to ophthalmology. Additionally, we will explore the development of next-generation research-accessible datasets and digital screening devices that promise to revolutionize patient care. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and the future of digital eye health.
Diabetic eye (RC)
Speaker(s): Alan Stitt; Manuela Bartoli; Kaustabah Ghosh; Alexander Ljubimov; Debasish Sinha
Description:
Diabetes affects eye health in multiple ways. Although retinal vascular pathology leads to sight-threatening clinical manifestations of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema, diabetes-induced damage goes beyond the retina microvasculature and the retina itself. In this symposium, a group of experts will discuss the effects of diabetes-induced metabolic abnormalities on multiple retinal cells, as well as on promoting disease of the cornea, tears, and dry eye. This symposium will provide an opportunity to compare different disease mechanisms and identify common pathways in various retinal cells and ocular structures, such as oxidative stress and inflammation. The discussion could suggest common therapeutic targets and options to globally treat different diabetic ocular pathologies and better preserve vision in diabetic patients.
3 - 4:45pm
Lipids and lipid metabolisms in vision and visual disorders (LE)
Speaker(s): Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk; Julia Busik; Douglas Borchman; Kevin Schey; Rajendra Apte; Xingjun Fan; Paul Bernstein
Description:
Lipids are essential building blocks of life, including triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids. They play a crucial role in cellular structure, energy conservation, metabolism, hormone production, signal transduction, and serve as biomarkers. The lipid profile and its homeostasis are essential for visual functions, and disturbances in lipid metabolism are closely associated with several visual disorders. These disorders include retinitis pigmentosa, photoreceptor and ganglion cell degeneration, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), dry eye disease, diabetic retinopathy, Stargardt disease, lens barrier formation, and cataractogenesis. Lipid peroxidation is also a primary cause of ferroptosis, which is well known for causing photoreceptor degeneration, cataract formation, and other visual diseases. However, it is fair to say that the roles of lipids and lipid metabolic disorders in vision and visual disorders are understudied. This mini symposium aims to convey the most current understanding of lipid homeostasis regulation, metabolism, post-synthetic modification, and the role as signaling molecules in the eye. To achieve this, we have invited several experts in the field of visual research to share their findings and perspectives. We believe this symposium will significantly enhance our understanding of the essential role of lipids in the eye and identify areas that urgently need breakthroughs.
Tuesday, May 6
8:30 - 10:15am
AI regulation and implementation in ophthalmology (RE)
Speaker(s): Malvina Eydelman; Michael Abramoff; Noelle Whitestone; Lama Al Aswad; Amitha Domalpally; Aaron Lee
Description:
There has been an explosion of AI research in ophthalmology, yet only a handful of these innovations have achieved FDA certification and are actively used in patient care. This session aims to address the critical question: how can we, as the ARVO community, move beyond the current barriers to bring more AI tools into real-world applications? Attendees will gain insights from experts on navigating the FDA’s Total Product Lifecycle (TPLC), and international regulation and certification processes. Challenges to AI implementation in glaucoma and retinal diseases will be discussed, along with strategies for achieving regulatory compliance and ensuring ethical AI use.
Cutting-edge immunomodulation in ocular disease: Insights and innovations (IM)
Speaker(s): Sunil Chauhan; Rachel Caspi; Ashok Kumar; Rajendra S Apte; Jay Chhablani; Dong Feng Chen
Description: Immunomodulation has emerged as a transformative approach in the treatment of ocular diseases, offering new strategies to manage conditions characterized by dysregulated immune responses. These immune mechanisms, while essential for protecting the eye from infection and injury, can also contribute to chronic inflammation and tissue damage, leading to significant visual impairment and quality of life issues. In this symposium, we will delve into the latest research on immune cell interactions and molecular signaling pathways that influence ocular inflammation and repair and explore: emerging Immunomodulatory therapies, including targeted biologics, host immunomodulatory metabolites and cellular therapies including personalized medicine approaches and novel drug delivery systems. Additionally, understanding the role of commensal microbiota in mucosal immunity could provide insights into potential therapeutic strategies, including microbiota modulation and probiotic treatments, to restore or maintain ocular surface health while, Immunometabolism in regulating neuroretinal homeostasis can provides insights into the maintenance of retinal health and the pathogenesis of retinal diseases. Through this symposium, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in the field and foster a deeper understanding of how immunomodulation in ocular diseases can translate into clinical practice.
1:15 - 3pm
Clinical applications of adaptive optics imaging (VI)
Speaker(s): Jacque Duncan; Ethan Rossi; Yuhua Zhang; Zhoulin Liu; Elena Gofas; Ravi Jonnal
Description:
Over the past twenty-five years, the development of adaptive optics imaging has enabled visualization of individual photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium, ganglion cells, capillaries, blood flow and more in the living eye. Panelists in this session will describe current state-of-the-art techniques for using adaptive optics imaging to interrogate disease mechanisms along with applications of adaptive optics imaging for clinical research. Applications for assessing photoreceptor function through adaptive optics optoretinography will be included. In addition, the panelists will describe the potential, challenges and current use of adaptive optics imaging in clinical trials.
3:30 - 5:15pm
Omics in ophthalmology: Unveiling insights from proteomics, lipidomics and metabolomics in ocular fluids (BI)
Speaker(s): Lei Henry Zhou; Imre Lengyel; Nawajes Mandal; Marlies Gijs; Ashok Sharma
Description:
Omics refers to the study of biological molecules like genes, proteins, and lipids to understand an organism’s structure and function. Examples include proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics. These approaches allow scientists to analyze biological systems comprehensively, advancing disease understanding and identifying therapeutic targets. This mini-symposium will explore the latest advancements and future directions of omics in ophthalmology.
Charting the course from Bench to Bedside: Lessons learned, common pitfalls and regulatory approval in ophthalmic drug and device development (GL)
Speakers: Robert Weinreb; Malvina B. Eydelman; Chad Jackson; Gary D. Novack; Ali Tafreshi; Janet K. Cheetham
Description:
Charting the course from drug and device development to regulatory approval is essential for ensuring that innovations translate seamlessly from the laboratory to the patient. An early understanding of this process would enable researchers, clinicians, and innovators to align their discovery efforts with regulatory requirements and streamline the path from concept to clinical application. This process is also integral to the mission of the National Eye Institute (NEI), which seeks to advance scientific research and foster innovations to eliminate vision loss and improve quality of life. This mini-symposium will provide a comprehensive roadmap to drug and device development ranging from clinical trial design and outcome readouts to regulatory approval, with an eye towards discussing lessons learned and common pitfalls from both seasoned researchers and industry leaders experienced in drug and device development, as well as experts in navigating the regulatory landscape. The session will end with a panel discussion and Q&A session with the audience.
Wednesday, May 7
10:15am - Noon
Oculomics: “See” through the eyes (CL)
Speaker(s): Siegfried K. Wagner; Carol Cheung; Ching-Yu Cheng; Amani A. Fawzi; Jianhua (Jay) Wang; Vivek Jay Srinivasan; Lisa Zhuoting Zhu
Description:
This symposium will explore the rapidly emerging field of Oculomics, leveraging ocular biomarkers to assess systemic health. The session will span the full spectrum of advancements, from Upstream, which showcases the latest discoveries in identifying and applying retinal biomarkers, to Downstream, which focuses on real-world implementation, cost-effectiveness, and consumer engagement. This holistic approach will provide participants with cutting-edge updates on innovations in Oculomics and how these technologies are being integrated into healthcare systems.
Neuroplasticity in amblyopia (EY)
Speaker(s): Shahin Nasr; Emily Wiecek; Benjamin Thompson; Jiawei Zhou; Kevin Duffy; Mark Bear
Description:
This mini symposium will highlight current research investigating neuroplasticity in amblyopia. Amblyopia impacts up to 4% of children, with patching of the fellow eye to force use of the amblyopic eye being the mainstay of treatment. Amblyopia results from imbalanced binocular input early in life during a critical period of development when the brain is most plastic and vulnerable to visual deprivation. Because of this, patching must begin at an early age (<7 years) to achieve optimal outcomes. However, patching is not a cure-all. Up to half of treated children do not regain normal visual acuity, and of those that do, up to half will regress. Other deficits, including impaired binocularity and ocular motor dysfunction, persist into adulthood. Not surprising, these deficits further impact daily life functions such as attention, reading, motor ability, and self-perception. Thus, there is a pressing need to elucidate the neural mechanisms involved in the origins and persistence of amblyopia, to understand the factors that limit recovery in some children, and to examine whether neuroplasticity extends beyond childhood and can be leveraged for treatment during adolescence and adulthood. This mini symposium will highlight recent advances in neuroplasticity research in amblyopia and provide evidence for advancing amblyopia treatments.
2 - 3:45pm
Protection, rescue and replacement: Developing gene agnostic treatments for retinal degenerative diseases (RC)
Speaker(s): Muriel Perron; Thanh Hoang; Yunlu Xue; Stephen H. Tsang; Michiko Mandai
Description:
Millions of people worldwide suffer from vision loss due to retinal degenerative diseases. Because retinal degenerative disease can be caused by a wide variety of genetic mechanisms, interventions that are independent of the underlying mutation may provide the most robust therapeutic benefit. This symposium will highlight recent research on a variety of “gene agnostic” approaches, such as cell-based transplantation strategies, promoting retinal cell reprogramming, retinal regeneration, and gene editing to activate neuroprotective pathways.
Thursday, May 8
11:45am - 1:30pm
An updated toolkit for genetic analysis: new methods for heritable eye disease (BI)
Speaker(s): Carlo Rivolta; Marta Corton Perez; Bin Guan; Elfride De Baere; Theresa Erlenbach; Quentin Gouil
Description:
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has brought a step-change in how we analyze genetic eye disease. While detecting variants is increasingly possible, understanding their impact on disease is more challenging. Added to that is the complexity of detecting and characterizing variation in those regions of the genome intractable to short read sequencing and the question of what can be done for patients left unsolved following WGS analysis. The proposed session will deliver a series of talks from the leaders in the field and describe a range of novel approaches of genetic investigation in the post WGS age, and their successful implementation to identify and characterize variants in human ocular disorders.
Visual System Development (VN)
Speaker(s): Raunak Sinha; Julie Lefebvre; Saumya Jain; Mohamed Tawfik; Fei Chang
Description:
The proposed mini-symposium will provide a forum for scientists to share their data on new experimental approaches that provide new mechanistic insights in the field of visual system development. The talks will cover basic principles that drive the development of the visual system, with the ultimate goal that these findings will contribute to better treatments for visual-related diseases.
2 - 3:45pm
Cerebral/Cortical visual impairment unveiled: Advances in research and future directions (EY)
Speaker(s): Nicole Ross; Niranjan Pehere; Glen Prusky; Melinda Chang; Lotfi Merabet; Corinna M. Bauer; Shefa Gordon
Description:
This mini symposium will highlight the current global clinical challenges surrounding Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) and showcase groundbreaking research that is advancing our understanding of this complex condition. CVI is characterized by deficits in vision, visual and ocular motor function, and higher-order visual processing. Despite its prevalence, the condition is often underdiagnosed due to a lack of standardized screening, diagnostic protocols, and comprehensive care systems for at-risk children. This mini symposium will present the current clinical perspectives on CVI from both national and international viewpoints and highlight cutting-edge CVI research in novel visual function assessments, eye tracking, and biomarkers. The National Eye Institute will also discuss its initiatives and commitment to advancing understanding, improving rehabilitation strategies, and enhancing treatments to maximize functional vision and quality of life for children with CVI.
Retinal resilience: Exploring hormesis as a therapeutic pathway (RE)
Speaker(s):Yoko Miura; Derek Welsbie; Ralf Brinkmann; Donald T. Miller; Jay Chhablani
Description:
The number of patients with progressive retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy is increasing, and when they progress, it is difficult to control their progression, often leaving significant visual impairment and requiring lifelong treatment. Against this background, there is a strong need for treatment strategies that are earlier and capable of halting progression and rather improving visual function. In recent years, the concept of hormesis, in which low doses of stress and stimulation produce beneficial biological effects, has gained attention as a potential therapeutic approach. The principle of hormesis can be applied in many ways, but there is little understanding or discussion of it. In order to provide more effective treatment and develop new approaches, it is very important to deepen our understanding of hormesis. The goal of this symposium is to deepen our understanding of hormesis as a concept and theory, while examining its possible applications in retinal treatments. Therapeutic strategies and advanced diagnostic techniques will be examined to assess how hormesis can be utilized for neuroprotection and improving retinal function. Participants will gain insights into the latest research and approaches, along with an understanding of the core principles of hormesis and how it can be effectively applied in clinical practice.