Five members of Aniridia Network travelled to Paris for a conference about the science and treatment of aniridia. They met the world’s top experts on aniridia and learned about their latest research and techniques. They also took part in a meeting of Aniridia Europe.

General Assembly of Aniridia Europe

The event was the European Conference on Aniridia. It showcases the latest scientific research, potential surgical procedures and drug treatments for aniridia.

It is primarily for doctors and researchers to meet and present their work to each other. It encourages debate, collaboration and sharing of knowledge. Patients and others interested in aniridia also attend. Together they form a winning community with the goal of finding effective long-term methods of fighting sight loss and other difficulties caused by aniridia.

The conference is held every two years and this was the 4th occurrence. This time Katie, James, Eleanor, Dave and Allyn made the trip to France. The expenses of some were subsidised with grants from Eurordis via Aniridia Europe. Our representatives have also attended the previous events in Duisburg, Venice and Oslo.

In Paris, there were 205 delegates, including 75 professionals from 20 European countries and at least one from each of Asia, Africa and the Americas.

The new board of Aniridia Europe, including our chairperson Katie

It began on Friday with the General Assembly of Aniridia Europe, a meeting to discuss the organisation’s business and elect a new board of directors. Katie was successfully re-appointed.

“I am delighted to have been re-elected to the board, so we can further strengthen our important relationship with our international partners” said Katie.

Saturday was packed with presentations on a range of medical aspects of aniridia. Over 20 professionals spoke about their work and answered probing questions from their colleagues.

Later the speakers and other officials were treated to a gala dinner.

On Sunday morning the talks continued before the leaders of each topic session provided a summary.

“We were very impressed by the variety and standard of the presentations. They were really informative and comprehensive. We also made lots of great new connections, with amazing people doing superb work in hospitals and laboratories all around the world.  It is so exciting to hear of new and increasingly successful ways to team with aniridia and how we can support them.”

More photos from the event are available on Facebook.

Aniridia Network has offered to host the next European Conference on Aniridia in 2020. More details on that coming soon.