Macular Disease Conference 2025
The 2025 Macular Disease Conference: Hope for Future took place on Saturday 13 September 2025. We had a fantastic line up of macular disease experts share their research and knowledge, plus support for those with macular disease and their friends and family. There was also the opportunity to have your questions answered.
Missed a talk or want to rewatch your favourite moments? The recordings from the Macular Disease Conference 2025 are now available below. Watch the talks at your own pace and at anytime that suits you.
2025 highlights
This year’s programme included:
- Groundbreaking updates from leading macular disease researchers
- Practical tips and advice for daily living with sight loss
- Inspiring stories from people affected by macular disease
- Interactive Q&A sessions where your questions were answered live
Welcome
Speaker: Ed Holloway, chief executive, Macular Society.
Description: Ed Holloway welcomes you to our 2025 Macular Disease Conference.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) session
Age-related macular degeneration
Speaker: Mr Luke Nicholson, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Description: Mr Luke Nicholson shares the latest research on age-related macular degeneration, including current treatments and future developments.
The complement system and age related macular degeneration
Speakers: Professor David Kavanagh and Anneliza Andreadi from Newcastle University.
Description: Professor David Kavanagh and Anneliza Andreadi explore the role of the complement system in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Cellular senescence and emerging senotherapies for macular degeneration
Speaker: Dr Jian Liu, senior research associate at the University of Bristol.
Description: Dr Jian Liu explains the role of ageing retinal cells in macular degeneration and potential therapies that could slow or prevent progression.
What is the relationship between vision and the brain?
Speaker: Dr Rachel Hanson, research fellow at York & Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Description: Dr Rachel Hanson explores the fascinating connection between vision and the brain. Learn how the brain processes visual information, why this matters for people with macular disease, and how research is shedding light on new ways to understand sight loss.
Inherited Retinal Diseases and Working Age session
What's new about myopic macular degeneration?
Speaker: Dr Annegret Dahlmann-Noor, consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Description: Dr Annegret Dahlmann-Noor shares the latest research on myopic macular degeneration, including current treatments and future developments.
Investigating the genetics of RPGR-associated cone dystrophy
Speaker: Cristina Martinez, research associate at the University of Oxford.
Description: Cristina Martinez shares insights on investigating the genetics of RPGR-associated cone dystrophy.
Stargardt disease: overview and treatment horizon
Speaker: Dr Kenneth Fan, Retina Consultants of Texas.
Description: Dr Kenneth Fan shares an overview of Stargardt disease, including current and future research and treatments.
Demystifying assistive technology for work and home
Speakers: Iain Kennedy, partnerships and development manager and Stuart Lawler, head of digital content at Sight and Sound Technology.
Description: Iain Kennedy and Stuart Lawler share insights and developments in the field to help better understand the potential of assistive technology.
Macular and Me: Understanding Macular Disease Session
Introduction to the macula and common diseases
Speaker: Associate Professor Winfried Amoaku, reader in ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Nottingham.
Description: Associate Professor Winfried Amoaku gives an introduction and overview of the macula and explains the most common macular diseases.
Charles Bonnet syndrome updates
Speaker: Dr Jasleen Jolly, associate professor at Jolly Vision Science and honorary fellow at Melbourne University.
Description: Dr Jasleen Jolly shares updates on the latest Charles Bonnet syndrome research and development.
Emotional challenges of macular disease
Speaker: Suzanne Roberts, Macular Society.
Description: Macular Society counsellor Suzanne Roberts discusses the emotional challenges of living with macular disease and how to get support.
Making the most of your sight
Speakers: Hannah Keegan and Natalie Bale, programme coodinators and peer support volunteers, Pat McGeough, Ed Bebbington and Caroline Noall.
Description: Macular Society's Hannah Keegan, Natalie Bale and peer support volunteers, Pat, Ed and Caroline share practical tips on making the most of your sight, services available to you and guidance on eccentric viewing.
Live Q&A panel
Panel members: Macular Society's Emma Malcolm, director of fundraising and transformation, Jessica Kirby, director of services, Hannah Keegan, programmes coodinator, Suzanne Roberts, counsellor and associate professor Winfried Amoaku, reader in ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Nottingham.
Description: Watch the live Q&A panel where experts answered audience questions on macular disease, treatments, and daily living.
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