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The platform, developed by University College London and Heidelberg Engineering, demonstrated accuracy and precision in early tests.

AI-powered Eye2Gene uses multimodal imaging to diagnose inherited retinal disease

Retina World Congress 2025 will take place May 8-11. As researchers prepare for their, presentation, we are highlighting the upcoming sessions that are scheduled for this meeting, which will be held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Note: The following list of presentations are in alphabetical order by company. Updates will be added to this article as new information becomes available.

The company highlight Phase 2 results for migaldendranib (MGB), Ashvattha’s investigational subcutaneous treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). The presentation, entitled, "Emerging Data om Anti-angiogenic Nanomedicine (Migaldendranib MGB/D-4517.2) for AMD and DME" will be given by Michael Singer, MD on Sunday, May 11, 2025; 11:11 – 11:16 am ET.

Phase 2 clinical data demonstrated that MGB administration lowered production of subretinal fluid reducing or eliminating the need for intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment in both the study eye and fellow eye in wet AMD and DME subjects with bilateral disease. New data indicates that MGB may be the first safe systemic therapy for the treatment of wet AMD and DME without ocular adverse events.

Huma Qamar, Chief Medical Officer at Ocugen will represent Ocugen at Retina World Congress to share a presentation and join retinal surgeons and industry peers during a panel discussion.

Inherited and Rare Retinal Diseases Session
Moderated by Rishi P. Singh, MD, FASRS and Kourous A. Rezaei, MD on Thursday, May 8, 2025, 10:35 – 11:12 AM ET

Ocular Therapeutix will present information at the meeting in Fort Lauderdale regarding the axitinib intravitreal hydrogel clinical trials, the use of its candidate OTX-TKI for diabetic retinopathy, and the HELIOS clinical trial for diabetic retinopathy.

Axitinib Intravitreal Hydrogel: Update on Clinical Trials

Presented by Carl C. Awh, MD, FASRS, on Friday, May 9, 2025, 4:33 – 4:38 PM ET.

Presented by Dilsher S. Dhoot, MD, FASRS on Saturday, May 10, 2025, 8:44 – 8:49 AM ET

Volumetric Macular Fluid Analysis of the Impact of a Single Axitinib Intravitreal Injection (OTX-TKI) from the HELIOS Clinical Trial for Diabetic Retinopathy

Presented by Carl J. Danzig, MD on Saturday, May 10, 2025, 8:52 – 8:57 AM ET

The company will present further insights from Stage 1 of the Phase 3 DIAMOND program reinforcing the efficacy and safety profile of OCS-01 eye drops for DME will also be shared. OCS-01 is being developed to be the first non-invasive treatment for DME, addressing key unmet needs for earlier treatment intervention and for inadequate responders to the current standard of care.

Ashvattha Therapeutics to Present at ARVO, Retina World Congress, and AOS Annual Meeting. Ashvattha Therapeutics. April 15, 2025. Accessed April 16, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/15/3061682/0/en/Ashvattha-Therapeutics-to-Present-at-ARVO-Retina-World-Congress-and-AOS-Annual-Meeting.html

Ocugen to Present on Modifier Gene Therapy Platform at Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2025 Annual Meeting and Retina World Congress. Ocugen Inc. April 29, 2025. Accessed April 30, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/29/3070074/0/en/Ocugen-to-Present-on-Modifier-Gene-Therapy-Platform-at-Association-for-Research-in-Vision-and-Ophthalmology-2025-Annual-Meeting-and-Retina-World-Congress.html

Ocular Therapeutix™ to Participate in Upcoming Investor and Scientific Conferences. Ocular Therapeutix. April 29, 2025. Accessed April 29, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/29/3070022/0/en/Ocular-Therapeutix-to-Participate-in-Upcoming-Investor-and-Scientific-Conferences.html

Oculis to Present its Innovative Late-Stage Pipeline Candidates at Upcoming Ophthalmology Conferences. Oculis Holding AG. May 1, 2025. Accessed May 1, 2025. https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/oculis-to-present-its-innovative-late-stage-pipeline-candidates-at-upcoming-ophthalmology-conferences

Companies working in the retina space have announced that data from clinical trials will be shared at this year’s meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

RWC 2025: Companies to share data at meeting in Fort Lauderdale

Marion Munk Euretina 2025

Marion Munk, a medical retina and uveitis specialist from Switzerland, introduced the International Retinal Imaging Society (IntRIS), a unique organization that brought together retina specialists, ophthalmologists, PhDs, and biomedical engineers. The society was dedicated to advancing retinal imaging through collaborative efforts. 

Munk highlighted the IntRIS symposium at the 2025 EURETINA annual meeting, which is taking place in Paris, France. The symposium featured several distinguished speakers who presented groundbreaking research. Giovanni Staurenghi discussed color autofluorescence. Phil Rosenfeld explored the impact of ocular perfusion on geographic atrophy progression. Srinivas Sadda presented on metabolic activity in RPE cells using adaptive optics fluorescein lifetime imaging. The symposium also included an overview of recommendation guidelines for fibrosis, focusing on development, quantification, and appropriate imaging modalities. 

Munk emphasized the society's unique approach, which brought together diverse specialists to provide comprehensive perspectives on medical challenges. A key strength of IntRIS was its collaborative model. Biomedical engineers worked closely with physicians to develop clinically relevant imaging technologies. This approach ensured that new devices addressed real-world medical needs and had potential market viability. The interdisciplinary nature of the group allowed for innovative thinking and novel approaches to understanding retinal diseases. 

Munk stressed the importance of ultra-widefield imaging and its potential to transform clinical decision-making. She noted that imaging technologies must go hand-in-hand with drug development, providing robust methods to quantify and visualize conditions like non-perfusion and fibrosis. The conversation highlighted the challenges in current imaging technologies, particularly in differentiating between various types of retinal tissue. Munk argued that as drug therapies advance, more sophisticated imaging techniques would become crucial for precise diagnosis and treatment monitoring. The IntRIS symposium represented a forward-thinking approach to retinal imaging, combining clinical expertise, technological innovation, and collaborative research to push the boundaries of medical understanding and treatment.

The International Retinal Imaging Society (IntRIS) had a significant presence at this year's EURETINA Congress.

Videos

EURETINA 2025: Marion Munk, Md, PhD, discusses the IntRIS symposium

EURETINA 2025: Sofia Androudi on retinal disorders mimicking inherited retinal diseases

Note: The following transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.

 Good morning. My name is Sofia Androudi, and I'm professor and head of the University Eye Clinic in Thessaloniki, Greece. The topic of my talk today is retinal disorders mimicking inherited retinal diseases. Inherited retinal diseases is the most frequent cause of visual loss in people of working age. They affect 2.5 million of people globally, and as you can expect, they have a significant impact in quality of life and income loss. But the thing is that inherited retinal diseases patients get a diagnosis based on clinical phenotype alone, and we're talking about very heterogeneous disease. For instance, a retinitis pigmentosa can look like Leber congenital amaurosis. But on the other hand, there are retinal diseases, acquired diseases that can look like inherited retinal diseases. 

We're entering the era of cell and gene therapies, and it's very important to have a correct diagnosis, so the patient can get the appropriate treatment or does not get mistreated. To reach this diagnosis, you we need to have a high index of suspicion. We need to look at the unilateral versus bilateral. For example, if the disease is unilateral, we shift away from the IRD. We have to take a detailed medical and clinical history and ophthalmic history. For instance, when did the symptoms start? Are there any other family members affected? We have to take good quality multimodal imaging, and don't forget the electrophysiology. Where we are going from now with the artificial intelligence, the registries, and the advanced imaging, yes, we can refine our diagnostic algorithms, but at the end of the day, it's the multi-disciplinary approach and collaboration and the clinical hands that are our best tools.

Yes. So if you have a case that you are on the fence on, then you have to refresh and restart and think the case from the start. And don't forget to ask for help, ask other colleagues. You are a retina specialist, ask the uveitis specialist, get the genetic testing big and do perform high-quality, multi-modal imaging that you are going to look at yourself. Don't wait for the technician to bring you a print out, but go-to the machine, to the OCT and scroll frame-by-frame to look [for] what you're missing. And don't forget the autofluorescence.

Prof. Androudi said differential diagnoses are more important than ever in the era of cell and gene therapies.

clinical

EURETINA 2025: Aleksandra Rachitskaya and Danilo Ianetta on the Vit-Buckle Symposium

The Vit-Buckle Symposium will be a part of the at EURETINA annual meeting in Paris, France again this year. To discuss this symposium, Aleksandra Rachitskaya, MD, FASRS, from Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute and Danilo Iannetta, MD, PhD, from Rome Sapienza University spoke with the Eye Care Network. 

The symposium was designed to showcase challenging surgical cases from presenters worldwide, with a significant portion dedicated to open and honest discussions. Participants believed that learning was most effective when sharing complex medical scenarios rather than just highlighting successes. Iannetta described the session as highly dynamic and interactive, structured around 2-minute surgical video presentations followed by extensive discussions. The format encouraged surgeons to learn from each other's experiences and perspectives. 

The Vit-Buckle Society distinguished itself by welcoming members at all training levels, including medical students, residents, and fellows. Members gained access to extensive educational resources, including webinars in surgical and medical retina, and opportunities to participate in international meetings. 

Iannetta shared his long-standing connection with the society, having first engaged with it in 2014 during a year-long stay in New York. He observed the organization's consistent growth and commitment to creating a multicultural, international scientific community. 

The society will host its annual meeting for April 9-11, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and is inviting abstracts from participants worldwide. The members emphasized their commitment to supporting young professionals, offering free membership for trainees and opportunities for international participants to present their work. 

Key highlights included the society's presence at multiple international conferences, including recent appearances at the Pan-American meeting and an upcoming event in Asia. Both Rachitskaya and Iannetta stressed the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and supporting emerging medical professionals. The symposium represented more than just a medical conference; it was a platform for global medical professionals to connect, learn, and grow together. By creating an inclusive, interactive environment, the Vit-Buckle Society aimed to advance medical knowledge and support the next generation of eye care specialists.

Aleksandra Rachitskaya, MD, FASRS, is a member of the Modern Retina editorial advisory board.

EURETINA 2025: Aleksandra Rachitskaya and Danilo Iannetta on the Vit-Buckle Symposium

Kreissig Award Lecture Throwing Away Wisdom: How we Abandon What Works

María Berrocal, from Drs. Berrocal and Associates in San Juan, Puerto Rico, delivered the Ingrid Kreissig Award Lecture titled "Throwing away wisdom: How we abandon what works." Her presentation focused on two medical techniques that she believes have been wrongly replaced by newer, less effective methods. 

The first technique is the minimal, non-drainage scleral buckle procedure for retinal detachments. Berrocal highlighted that this procedure achieves up to 97% success rates in a single operation, with better visual acuity results and fewer complications compared to primary vitrectomy. She emphasized that this approach is not only more effective but also has a smaller carbon footprint and requires less equipment. 

The second technique is pan-retinal photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Berrocal argued that this 40-year-old method provides long-term stability and excellent visual acuity results, unlike monthly anti-VEGF injections which offer only temporary treatment. She expressed concern about patients who become lost to follow-up with injection-based treatments, potentially leading to severe complications like neovascular glaucoma. 

Drawing from her 30 years of experience, Berrocal shared a personal patient case that illustrated the benefits of minimal procedures. She observed that complex vitrectomy procedures can significantly disrupt patients' lives, causing extended recovery times and additional complications like cataracts. Her key recommendations were twofold:

For rheumatogenous retinal detachments with few breaks, use a minimal scleral buckle procedure without drainage

Maintain pan-retinal photocoagulation as the standard treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Berrocal's lecture challenged the medical community to critically evaluate new treatments, emphasizing that newer doesn't always mean better. She urged physicians to prioritize patient outcomes, long-term stability, and quality of life when selecting medical procedures. The lecture concluded by advocating for procedures that provide the best patient results while minimizing complications and follow-up requirements.

María Berrocal, MD, titled her Kreissig Award Lecture "Throwing away wisdom: How we abandon what works."

EURETINA 2025: María Berrocal, MD, shares wisdom from her Kreissig Award Lecture

Ophthalmic device company BVI announced its first dual-function phaco-vitrectomy system, Virtuoso, to the European market.

 Virtuoso is a surgical platform designed for both cataract and vitreoretinal procedures.

BVI plans to introduce the new system at this year’s Congress of the European Society of Retina Specialists (EURETINA) being held September 4 to 7, 2025, in Paris, France.

Abstracts on Virtuoso will be presented in the EURETINA Scientific Program, highlighting data about post-occlusion break surge, energy delivery consistency, vitrectomy probe stiffness, and aspiration efficiency. To further research on the platform, Prof. Siegfried G. Priglinger is leading a prospective, single-center, clinical investigation at LMU Klinikum, Munich, Germany, with the aim of confirming the safety and efficacy of Virtuoso.

“Virtuoso represents a significant leap in surgical technology, bringing efficiency and control to both anterior and posterior segment procedures,” Shervin Korangy, president and CEO of BVI, said in a press release.

“With Virtuoso, we are expanding our presence in the equipment segment of ophthalmology and look forward to watching millions of patients benefit from this technology. The excitement from the ophthalmic community for this much-anticipated introduction is palpable.”

Combining advanced technologies across fluidics control, vitreoretinal applications, ultrasound delivery, and usability, Vitreoso offers a high-performance platform with control and accuracy. This new device also offers a thoughtful footprint to maximize space in the operating room.

“Virtuoso has a very novel fluidics concept, maintaining target IOP throughout all procedure steps, from phaco to I/A, uniquely fusing the control of a flow pump with the efficacy of a pressure pump,” Dr Tommaso Rossi (Italy) said in a press release.

According to BVI, Virtuoso is “addressing the needs of a growing number of ambulatory surgical centers and hospitals seeking flexible, cost-effective platforms.”

 Built into one platform, the device is designed to provide versatility in multispecialty centers, offering market-leading applications across cataract, vitrectomy, and combined procedures.

Vitreoretinal surgeon Dr David Steel (UK) noted the capabilities of the platform, saying, “The new Virtuoso platform shows very promising capabilities for vitreoretinal surgery: an enhanced aspiration performance matched with infusion under a variety of challenging scenarios, paired with high-speed and dual-action cutting performance, even under load with bent shaft.”

Commercial availability for Virtuoso will begin in select European markets, with a global rollout planned according to appropriate market approvals.

BVI Medical, Inc. BVI Unveils Virtuoso® – A Novel Dual-Function Surgical Platform for Cataract and Vitreoretinal Procedures. GlobeNewswire News Room. Published September 3, 2025. Accessed September 3, 2025. 

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/09/03/3143764/0/en/BVI-Unveils-Virtuoso-A-Novel-Dual-Function-Surgical-Platform-for-Cataract-and-Vitreoretinal-Procedures.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

BVI launches Virtuoso, a groundbreaking dual-function surgical platform for cataract and vitreoretinal procedures, enhancing efficiency and control in surgery.

Abigail Lewis, editorial intern

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