Launch of Retina World Congress unites global thought-leaders

Seattle-International thought-leaders in retina education will have a new forum with the inaugural Retina World Congress (RWC), Feb. 23 to 26, 2017, in Fort Lauderdale, FL. 

The aim of the conference-a federation of retina societies from around the world-is to foster ongoing dialogue and generate consensus about retinal disease, emerging technologies and treatments, best practices, and clinical research.

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Congress organizers and representatives of participating international retina societies gathered at an informational event during the Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting to discuss the evolution of global educational exchange in retina. 

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“With the pace of innovation in retinal medicine quickening and global rates of retinal disease surging, there is a growing international consensus that a new forum for practical, clinically focused retina education, incorporating best practices from around the world, is an absolute necessity,” said Rishi P. Singh, MD, president of the RWC founding Board and Executive Committee.

Already, the conference has secured the participation of 22 international retina societies, Dr. Singh noted.

Additional groups

“We anticipate that a number of additional national and regional groups, as well as key industry players, will join also us at the inaugural meeting,” he added.

“Recognizing the importance of international educational exchange for elevating the level of patient care around the world, we got involved with Retina World Congress early,” said Andre Gomes, MD, president of the Brazilian Retina and Vitreous Society (BRVS), which became a partner in 2015.

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“We look forward to welcoming our colleagues and industry supporters to this first ‘United Nation’ of retina and to working together to create a new model for clinical education and problem solving, one that will take global retina into an exciting future,” Dr. Gomes added.

The nonprofit-designated conference will feature presentations from international thought-leaders in retina on the latest clinical and scientific research, as well as accredited professional education courses, panel discussions on cases and controversies, and industry exhibits.

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Meeting proceedings will be published in The International Journal of Retina and Vitreous.

To register or for more information, go to www.retinaworldcongress.org.