Display on whale eye anatomy
The annual meeting of the European Association for Vision and Eye Research (Ever) brings together researchers, clinicians and industry professionals to discuss the latest advancements in vision and eye research. The 2023 edition of Ever, held in Valencia, Spain, showcased a diverse range of topics and presentations, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among clinical eye care specialists, clinical scientists, researchers and industry.
The conference covered a broad spectrum of themes, reflecting the multifaceted nature of vision and eye research. The 875 attendees were spoilt for choice with a packed conference programme consisting of eight keynote lectures, more than 450 posters, 59 special interest group symposia, 13 courses and a total of 101 free paper and rapid-fire presentations.
Among some of the most popular sessions were those focusing on myopia (epidemiology, treatment advances and more), artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential for clinical applications, cutting-edge imaging technologies and updates on research in glaucoma and genetic eye disease.
Myopia
Several sessions presented data on current myopia trends, treatment outcomes, treatment modalities, its link with glaucoma and the use of AI in myopia research. A particular highlight was the Ophthalmic Recognition lecture delivered by Professor Frank Schaeffel (Basel, Switzerland) entitled ‘Functional changes in the myopic retina compromise emmetropization’.
He took the audience on a journey of emmetropization and explained how the retina analyses the focus of the image and generates appropriate biochemical signals to control choroidal thickness and scleral growth.
He further explained how using optical low coherence interferometry allows changes in eye length to be detected, in young human subjects, after just 30 minutes of watching digitally filtered movies. Professor Schaeffel explained that the emmetropic retina can distinguish real optical positive defocus from simulated/calculated defocus, which initially triggers choroidal thickening followed by thinning. The myopic retinal response does not follow the same pattern.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Clinicians and researchers discussed the latest developments in imaging technologies, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and adaptive optics, image analyses including the use of AI and its potential in identifying ocular disease.
While AI has great potential in eye research, Professor Schmetterer (Singapore Eye Research Institute) also pointed out some its shortcomings such as poor image quality (when using retinal photographs and scans) and that algorithms developed based on specific patient characteristics are not universally applicable to all patient cohorts. He also pointed out that liability when using AI for diagnostic purposes can pose a hindrance to its clinical implementation.
Considering costs and burdens associated with false positives and false negatives: while for some people attending a follow-up or treatment appointment is straightforward, he pointed out ‘for some it means to take unpaid leave to travel for one day to their treatment centre and another to travel back’, thus highlighting the importance of sensitivity and specificity for screening and diagnostic algorithms.
The poster gallery at Ever
Keynote lectures
A new introduction to this year’s annual meeting were the three named keynote lectures, which were in honour of three Ever founding members: Gisele Soubrane, Luc Missoten and Jean-Jacques De Laey. The Soubrane lecture was delivered this year by Professor Isabelle Audo who explained her research on inherited eye disease.
Professor Jose-Alain Sahel (Pittsburgh, USA) delivered the De Laey lecture where he focused on cone-directed strategies in retinal degenerations. For the Missoten lecture, Professor Yvonne Ou (San Fransisco, USA) spoke about the ‘Retinal circuit disassembly, plasticity and repair in glaucoma’.
Other keynotes included the Special Recognition lecture, delivered by Professor Marcella Votruba (Cardiff, UK), the Ever ACTA lecture by Professor Hannu Uusitalo (Tampere, Finland), the past president’s lecture by Professor Manuel Vidal-Sanz (Spain) and the Ophthalmic Heritage lecture by Professor Marie-Jose Tassignon (Antwerp, Belgium).
In the Ever Women session Professors Marcella Votruba, Isabelle Audo, Yvonne Ou and Marie-Jose Tassignon shared their experiences and discussed with Ever attendees to inspire, foster ideas, aid in career decisions and connected with peers and mentors.
Opportunity to network
Apart from listening to the latest basic and clinical research, there were plenty of networking opportunities during coffee breaks and through industry sponsored lunch symposia and evening events. The many poster presentations showcased the breadth of eye and vision research conducted in Europe and beyond.
In the rapid-fire sessions, the next generation researchers and clinicians gave an insight into their research; many of whom were rewarded not only with commendations, but prizes in recognition of their work.
While the city of Valencia itself has a rich heritage offering both culinary and cultural pleasures, Ever had its own exhibition for its attendees to enjoy: ‘The eye of the whale’ provided not only scientific insights into a whale’s eye but also a feast for the eyes which its impressive images of the cell preparations.
Clinical and teaching relevance
While celebrating the progress made in vision and eye research, the conference also addressed the topics such as simulator-based training for students and physicians, emerging therapies for geographic atrophy and ocular nutrition. Further discussions included the need for increased funding, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global efforts to address the future clinical needs in accessing eye care, managing patients and early diagnosis.
Professor Kolko (Denmark) showcased a project entitled Forever, which highlights the importance of data obtained during routine sight testing in primary optometric care to enhance patient outcomes and to help identify those requiring more specialist examination.
In summary, the annual Ever meeting of 2023 proved to be a dynamic and informative gathering of experts in the field.
The exchange of ideas, presentation of cutting-edge research, and the emphasis on collaboration underscored the commitment of the vision and eye research community to advancing knowledge and improving patient outcomes.
- Dr Rebekka Heitmar is a reader in optometry and vision sciences, within the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, School of Applied Sciences at the University of Huddersfield.