FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026

08:00-09:00

Polish Opthalmology Society (PTO) sesssion

09:00-10:30

BIG CONTROVERSIES IN RETINA AND BEYOND IN 2026                                                                                                                                                                                                                  HALL A

Chairs:

Baruch Kuppermann, USA; Anat Loewenstein, Israel; Zofia Anna Nawrocka, Poland

09:00-09:10

Welcome Remarks

Baruch Kuppermann, USA; Anat Loewenstein, Israel; Zofia Anna Nawrocka, Poland

09:10-09:30

Keynote Lecture:

09:10-09:25

Role of AI in Modern Vitreo-Retinal Surgery

Stanislao Rizzo, Italy

09:25-09:30

Q&A

09:30-10:00

Debate 1: Premium intra-ocular lenses can be considered for patients with macular disease

09:30-09:40

Yes: Zofia Anna Nawrocka, Poland

09:40-09:50

No: William F. Mieler, USA

09:50-10:00

Discussion

10:00-10:30

Debate 2: Sustained Delivery for NVAMD will be the preferred therapy in the future

10:00-10:10

Yes: Baruch Kuppermann, USA

10:10-10:20

No: Michaella Goldstein, Israel

10:20-10:30

Discussion

10:30-11:00

Coffee Break, Visit Exhibition, View ePosters                                                                                                                 EXHIBITION AREA

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026

HALL A

HALL B

11:00-12:30

MEDICAL RETINA 1 | Neovascular (“Wet”) AMD Management

11:00-12:30

NEURO-OPHTHALMOLOGY 1 | The Afferent Pathway

Chairs:

Michaella Goldstein, Israel; Baruch Kuppermann, USA;

Robert Rejdak, Poland

Chairs:

Andrew G. Lee, USA

11:00-11:30

Debate 1: Should the risk of converting to wet AMD influence use of complement inhibitors in treating GA?

11:00-11:30

Debate 1: Should we worry about “sulfa allergy” in IIH treatment

with acetazolamide (Diamox)

11:00-11:10

Yes: Jean Francois Korobelnik, France

11:00-11:10

Yes: Alex Sinclair, UK

11:10-11:20

No: Jordi Monés, Spain

11:10-11:20

No: Andrew G. Lee, USA

11:20-11:30

Discussion

11:20-11:30

Discussion

11:30-12:00

Debate 2: Treat and extend will continue to be the preferred treatment strategy in the era of sustained drug delivery

11:30-12:00

Debate 2: Do GLP-1 agonists cause NAION?

11:30-11:40

Yes: Linda Lam, USA

11:30-11:40

Yes: Leonie Keidel, Germany

11:40-11:50

No: Bora Eldem,Turkey

11:40-11:50

No: Andrew G. Lee, USA

11:50-12:00

Discussion

11:50-12:00

Discussion

12:00-12:30

Debate 3: Gene therapy in the (near) future will play a central role in the management of neovascular Age Relate Macular

Degeneration

12:00-12:30

Case Presentations: Afferent

Moderator: Andrew G. Lee, USA

12:00-12:10

Yes: David Almeida, USA

Panelists: All Speakers

12:10-12:20

No: Michaella Goldstein, Israel

12:20-12:30

Discussion:

12:45-13:45

Industry Sponsored Luncheon Symposium                                                                                                                                                                                                                  HALL A

(Lunch boxes served 12:30-12:45)

14:00-15:00

Industry-Sponsored Dessert Symposium                                                                                                                                                                                                                  HALL A

(Dessert boxes served 13:15-13:30)

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026

HALL A

HALL B

15:00-16:30

SURGICAL RETINA 1 | Controversial Approaches to Common Surgical Questions

15:00-16:30

NEURO-OPHTHALMOLOGY 2 | The Efferent Pathway

Chairs:

William F. Mieler, USA; Stanislao Rizzo, Italy;

Zofia Anna Nawrocka, Poland;

Chairs:

Andrew G. Lee, USA

15:00-15:30

Debate 1: In vitrectomy surgery for epiretinal membranes (ERMs), it is essential to remove the internal limiting membrane (ILM) in

order to maximize visual improvement and limit recurrences.

15:00-15:30

Debate 1: Should we scan all third nerve palsies regardless of the pupil?

15:00-15:10

Yes: Stanislao Rizzo, Italy

15:00-15:10

Yes: Andrew G. Lee, USA

15:10-15:20

No: William F. Mieler, USA

15:10-15:20

No: Leonie Keidel, Germany

15:20-15:30

Discussion

15:20-15:30

Discussion

15:30-16:00

Debate 2: Are methotrexate injections needed to improve outcomes in PVR RDd?

15:30-16:00

Debate 2: Should you test for Lambert Eaton Myasthenia Syndrome (LEMS) in suspected myasthenia gravis (MG)?

15:30-15:40

Yes: Zofia Anna Nawrocka, Poland

15:30-15:40

Yes: Andrew G. Lee, USA

15:40-15:50

No: Jerzy Mackiewicz, Poland

15:40-15:50

No: Alex Sinclair, UK

15:50-16:00

Discussion

15:50-16:00

Discussion

16:00-16:30

Debate 3: Pars plana vitrectomy is safe and effective in the management of myodesopsia (symptomatic vitreous floaters).

16:00-16:30

Case Presentations: Efferent

Moderator: Alex Sinclair, UK

16:00-16:10

Yes: Francesco Boscia, Italy

Panelists: All Speakers

16:10-16:20

No: William F. Mieler, USA

16:20-16:30

Discussion

16:30-17:00

Coffee Break, Visit Exhibition, View ePosters                                                                                                                                                                                                 EXHIBITION AREA

FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026

HALL A

17:00-18:00

VISION ACADEMY IN RETINA 2026 | Confronting challenges in an evolving retinal disease management landscape                                                                                                                                                                                                                         HALL A

Chairs:

Anat Loewenstein, Israel; Baruch Kuppermann, USA

17:00-17:05

Introduction to the Vision Academy Anat Loewenstein, Israel

17:05-17:10

Rapid-fire presentation:

Spotlight briefing: Imaging biomarkers in the management of nAMD Thibaud Mathis, France

17:10-17:15

Q&A

Moderators: Anat Loewenstein, Israel; Baruch Kuppermann, USA

17:15-17:35

17:15-17:21

17:21-17:27

17:27-17:32

17:32-17:35

Debate: anti-VEGF therapy can be discontinued in patients with nAMD that remains inactive with treatment at the maximum injection interval

Yes Jean Francois Korobelnik, France

No: Paolo Lanzetta, Italy Discussion (panel):

Vision Academy recommendations: Anat Loewenstein, Israel

17:35-17:55

Panel discussion / Q&A:

Current status and impact of AI use in screening, diagnosing and managing retinal diseases Moderators :Anat Loewenstein, Israel; Baruch Kuppermann, USA

Panelists:

Jean Francois Korobelnik, France

Paola Lanzetta, Italy

Thibaud Mathis, France

17:55-18:00

Session close

Anat Loewenstein, Israel, Baruch Kuppermann, USA

17:30-18:30

Industry Sponsored Symposium         HALL A

18:00-19:00

Welcome Reception     EXHIBITION AREA

End of Day

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026

07:30-08:30

Industries Sponsored Breakfast Symposium                                                                                                                                                                                                                   HALL A

(Light breakfast will be served from 07:00-07:30 at the entrance of the hall)

HALL A

HALL B

08:30-10:00

MEDICAL RETINA 2 | Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

08:30-10:00

GLAUCOMA 1

Chairs:

Francesco Bandello, Italy; Linda Lam, USA;

Bozena Romanowska-Dixon, Poland

Chairs:

Francesca Cordeiro, UK; Ewa Izabela Mrukwa-Kominek

08:30-09:00

Debate 1: Can artificial intelligence safely replace human graders in diabetic retinopathy screening?

08:30-09:00

Debate 1: Glaucoma Surgical Training Should Focus on MIGS Rather Than Traditional (Trabeculectomy/Tubes) Surgery

08:30-08:40

Yes: Goran Petrovski, Norway

08:30-08:40

Yes: Qëndresë Daka, Kosovo

08:40-08:50

No: Kamil Jonak, Poland

08:40-08:50

No: Tomasz Żarnowski, Poland

08:50-09:00

Discussion

08:50-09:00

Discussion

09:00-09:30

Debate 2: Novel topical steroids can be an option for the treatment of DME

09:00-09:30

Debate 2: Early Glaucoma Detection Should Prioritize Structure Over Function

09:00-09:10

Yes: Baruch Kuppermann, USA

09:00-09:10

Yes: Francesca Cordeiro, UK

09:10-09:20

No: Francesco Bandello, Italy

09:10-09:20

No: Bartlomiej Kaluzny, Poland

09:20-09:30

Discussion

09:20-09:30

Discussion

09:30-10:00

Debate 3: Sustained drug delivery can be an effective treatment for DME

09:30-10:00

Debate 3: GlaucOMICS Should Guide Treatment Decisions in Clinical Practice

09:30-09:40

Yes: Patricia Udaondo, Spain

09:30-09:40

Yes: Jacek Szaflik, Poland

09:40-09:50

No: Sobha Sivaprasad, UK

09:40-09:50

No: Barbara Cvenkel, Slovenia

09:50-10:00

Discussion

09:50-10:00

Discussion

10:00-10:30

Coffee Break, Visit Exhibition, View ePosters                                                                                                                                                                                                  EXHIBITION AREA

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026

HALL A

HALL B

10:30-12:00

MEDICAL RETINA 3 | Novel Technologies and Therapies in Retinal Diseases

10:30-12:00

UVEITIS 1

Chairs:

Jakub Kałużny, Poland ; Francesco Boscia, Italy;

Andrzej Grzybowski, Poland

Chairs:

Bahram Bodaghi, France; Zohar Habot-Wilner, Israel

10:30-11:00

Debate 1: Retinal vein occlusion is best managed with

injections of new long-acting anti-VEGF drugs

10:30-11:00

Debate 1: Systemic therapy is the best option to control uveitic

macular edema

10:30-10:40

Yes: Izabella Karska-Basta, Poland

10:30-10:40

Yes: Sarah Touhami, France

10:40-10:50

No: Christiana Dinah, UK

10:40-10:50

No: Zohar Habot-Wilner, Israel

10:50-11:00

Discussion

10:50-11:00

Discussion

11:00-11:30

Debate 2: Gene therapy is the best treatment option for inherited retinal diseases

11:00-11:30

Debate 2: Prophylactic laser retinopexy and early PPV for preventing RD in ARN

11:00-11:10

Yes: Max Gerhardt, Germany

11:00-11:10

Yes: Aniruddha Agarwal, UAE

11:10-11:20

No: Paolo Lanzetta, Italy

11:10-11:20

No: Sarah Touhami, France

11:20-11:30

Discussion:

11:20-11:30

Discussion

11:30-12:00

Debate 3: Photobiomodulation is the preferred treatment for intermediate dry AMD

11:30-12:00

Debate 3: HLA - testing is mandatory in the investigation of posterior uveitis

11:30-11:40

Yes: David Almeida, USA

11:30-11:40

Yes: Bahram Bodaghi, France

11:40-11:50

No: Jordi Monés, Spain

11:40-11:50

No: Ines Leal, Portugal

11:50-12:00

Discussion

11:50-12:00

Discussion

12:05-12:50

Industry Sponsored Innovation Symposium

12:50-13:45

Lunch                                                                                                                                                                                                             EXHIBITION AREA

13:45-14:30

“On the Horizion” Industries Sponsored Dessert Symposium                                                                                                                                                                                                                  HALL A

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026

HALL A

HALL B

14:30-16:00

SURGICAL RETINA 2 | Controversies in the Utilization of Cutting

14:30-16:00

GLAUCOMA 2

Edge Vitreoretinal Surgical Technology

Chairs:

William F. Mieler, USA; Francesco Boscia, Italy;

Chairs:

Francesca Cordeiro, UK;

Jerzy Nawrocki, Poland; Aniruddha Agarwal, UAE

Ewa Izabela Mrukwa-Kominek, Poland

14:30-15:00

Keynote Surgical Lecture:

14:30-15:00

Debate 1: Glaucoma Screening Should Be Implemented as a

Flaps for macular hole

Population-Wide Program

Jerzy Nawrocki, Poland

14:30-14:40

Yes: Barbara Cvenkel, Slovenia

14:40-14:50

No: Jacek Szaflik, Poland

14:50-15:00

Discussion

15:00-15:30

Debate 1: The Use of Heads Up Digital (HUD) Imaging in

15:00-15:30

Debate 2: Novel Pressure-Lowering Pathways Should Replace

vitrectomy surgery has led to significant visual and anatomic

Traditional IOP-Lowering Medications

improvement in surgical outcomes.

15:00-15:10

Yes: Stratos Gotzaridis, Greece

15:00-15:10

Yes: Qëndresë Daka, Kosovo

15:10-15:20

No: William F. Mieler, USA

15:10-15:20

No: Francesca Cordeiro, UK

15:20-15:30

Discussion

15:20-15:30

Discussion

15:30-16:00

Debate 2: The use of a preoperative intravitreal anti-VEGF

15:30-16:00

Debate 3: Trabecular MIGS Should Be the First Surgical

injection 3 to 5 days prior to surgery for a diabetic traction

Option for All Glaucoma Patients

retinal detachment, helps to limit intraoperative complications

and improves anatomic and visual outcomes

15:30-15:40

Yes: Francesco Boscia, Italy

15:30-15:40

Yes: Ewa Izabela Mrukwa-Kominek, Poland

15:40-15:50

No: Paolo Lanzetta, Italy

15:40-15:50

No: Tomasz Żarnowski, Poland

15:50-16:00

Discussion

15:50-16:00

Discussion

16:00-16:30

Coffee Break, Visit Exhibition, View ePosters

EXHIBITION AREA

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026

HALL A

HALL B

16:30-18:00

MEDICAL RETINA 4 | Non Neovascular AMD

16:30-18:00

UVEITIS 2

Chairs:

Mario D. Toro, Italy; Francesco Boscia, Italy;

Omer Trivizki, Israel

Chairs:

Bahram Bodaghi, France; Zohar Habot-Wilner, Israel

16:30-17:00

Debate 1: Should deep learning algorithms be used to predict GA progression and guide personalized treatment decisions?

16:30-17:00

Debate 1: Post-operative macular edema may be considered and managed as a uveitis

16:30-16:40

Yes: Omer Trivizki, Israel

16:30-16:40

Yes: Bahram Bodaghi, France

16:40-16:50

No: David Almeida, USA

16:40-16:50

No: Aniruddha Agarwal, UAE

16:50-17:00

Discussion

16:50-17:00

Discussion

17:00-17:30

Debate 2: Cataract surgery should be delayed in patients with non neovascular AMD

17:00-17:30

Debate 2: The use of biosimilars in uveitis

17:00-17:10

Yes: Mario D. Toro, Italy

17:00-17:10

Yes: Zohar Habot-Wilner, Israel

17:10-17:20

No: Robert Rejdak, Poland

17:10-17:20

No: Sofia Androudi, Greece

17:20-17:30

Discussion

17:20-17:30

Discussion

17:30-18:00

Debate 3: The future of management of geographic atrophy will continue to be complement inhibition

17:30-18:00

Debate 3: Inflammatory choroidal neovascularization may be treated by anti-VEGFs alone

17:30-17:40

Yes: Aniruddha Agarwal, UAE

17:30-17:40

Yes: Ines Leal, Portugal

17:40-17:50

No: Sobha Sivaprasad, UK

17:40-17:50

No: Sofia Androudi, Greece

17:50-18:00

Discussion

17:50-18:00

Discussion

End of Congress