Retina UK Professionals’ Conference 2026
We will be heading to Birmingham (and online) in 2026 for our Professionals' Conference.
Join colleagues from across the eye‑health and sight‑loss sector at the Retina UK Professionals Conference on 18 September, held at the Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Birmingham. This free to attend, CPD‑accredited, hybrid event is open to practitioners, clinicians, researchers, and professionals across the sight‑loss sector, offering a day of learning, collaboration, and practical insight.
Below you’ll find the full programme for the day, including expert presentations, community conversations and specialist workshops tailored to different professional roles.
In‑person places are limited and offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Please register below to secure your spot below.
| 9.00am | Registration opens |
| 10.00am | Welcome and housekeeping |
| 10.05am | Welcome from our CEO
Tina Garvey, Chief Executive Retina UK |
| 10.10am | From innovation to independence: assistive technology for inherited sight loss
Our panel of experts share their professional and personal experience to bridge the gap between cutting-edge innovation, including AI, and everyday reality. Barrie Lane, Tech Advisor at Beacon Centre. Keith Dear, Tech Advisor at Sight for Surrey. Mark Baxter, Information and Support Coordinator, Retina UK. Anna Holloway and Ellie Dowdy, Retina UK Tech Peer Support Group volunteers. |
| 10.55am | Strengthening genetics conversations in IRD care – community and clinical perspectives
Kate Arkell, Research Director, Retina UK. Sian Sperring, Ophthalmology Genetic Counsellor, Oxford Eye Hospital. Rob Sears, who is living with inherited sight loss. |
| 11.35am | Refreshment break |
| 11.55am | Approaching difficult conversations, a framework
Professor Susan Downes, Consultant Ophthalmologist Oxford Eye Hospital and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at Oxford University. Dr Amanda Salisbury, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust. Claire Abbott, Senior Eye Clinical Liaison Officer |
| 12.35pm | Learning from lived experience: in conversation with our community
A panel session with members of our community. Paula McGrath, Deputy Chief Executive, Retina UK |
| 1.35pm | Lunch |
In the afternoon, delegates will go into their role-specific sessions, as detailed below.
These role specific sessions are only available to in-person delegates.
| 2.20pm | (In person only) Rehabilitation specialists and Habilitation specialists: Family dynamics and the timing of services for people with IRDs.
Richard Bounds, CEO of Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network |
| 2.20pm | (In person only) ECLOs: An overview of Usher Syndrome and Stargardt’s Disease and how ECLOs can best support those affected
Darren Paddick, RNIB ECLO Service Manager (South Coast) and Angela O’Kane, RNIB ECLO Service Manager (Northern Ireland) |
| 2.20pm | (In person only) Low vision/Optometrists: Experiential learning activities workshop
Winne Smith, Training and Development Manager, Health and Social Care Training Team, RNIB |
| 2.20pm | (In person only) QTVIs: Working with CYP with inherited retinal conditions to support their emotional needs and advocacy skills. A QTVI perspective.
Caireen Sutherland, Programme Lead and Senior Lecturer for the Mandatory Qualification (MQ) in MSI/deafblindness at Seashell Trust |
| 2.20pm | (In person and online) Nothing about us without us – supporting research participation
Kate Arkell, Research Director, Retina UK, Mark Baxter, Information and Support Coordinator, Retina UK. James Moore, who is living with sight loss. |
| 3.30pm | Close |