Basic research plays a crucial role in ophthalmology, as all scientific knowledge is based on its results. The Thursday of the congress will be dedicated all day to basic research.
Results, structures and challenges will be presented. Clinical problems such as childhood myopia or diabetic retinopathy will be examined from different perspectives by clinicians and researchers. This holistic approach makes it possible to combine both perspectives in a meaningful way and to link the latest findings from basic research with relevant clinical issues. This will lead to translational findings and promote future developments in ophthalmology.
8:30-9:45
Raum XV
Highlights in Translational Science – Light Irradiation in the eye: From Threats to Therapeutic Opportunities
Thursday, 24th September 2026, 8:30-9:45
Chair: Maria Notara (Köln) und Francine Behar-Cohen (Lausanne, CH)
Introduction and interactions between visible light and the retina; the role of light in myopia
Francine Behar-Cohen (Lausanne, CH)
Standards concerning exposure to visible light
Alicia Torriglia (Paris, F)
Pterygium: The Quintessential Anthropic Ultraviolet Affliction
Minas Coroneo (Sydney, AUS)
The role of UVA in ocular surface immunomodulation
Referent / Speaker: Felix Bock (Köln)
10:15-11:30
Raum XV
Highlights in Translational Science – Corneal epi- & endothelial stem & progenitor cells: From Concepts to Treatments – DOG-EVER-Symposium
Thursday, 24th September 2026, 10:15 – 11:30
Chair: Tina Dietrich-Ntoukas (Berlin) und Thomas Armin Fuchsluger (Rostock)
Clinical pathologies and unmet needs resulting from corneal stem & progenitor cell deficiencies
Jesper Hjortdal (Aarhus, DK)
Bench: Limbal epithelial cells – Characteristics, sensitivities against drugs and cell models
Nora Szentmary (Homburg/Saar)
Bench: Corneal endothelial transition zone – Characterization, Visualization and Relevance for Endothelial Transplantation
Sonika Rathi (Rostock)
Bedside: Limbal stem cell transplantations & Corneal endothelial cell modulations
Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt (Erlangen)
Daniel Meller (Jena)
15:00-16:15
Raum XV
Highlights in Translational Science – Life in 3D – Shape Matters: From Ocular Organoids to Patient Care
Thursday, 24th September 2026, 15:00 – 16:15
Chair: Yoko Miura (Lübeck) und Florian Groeber-Becker (Düsseldorf)
Why Shape Matters: Structural Integrity and Functional Outcomes in Ophthalmic Tissue Repair
Marius Ueffing (Tübingen)
Organ Cultures in Infection Research: Lessons for Tissue Modeling and Translation
Stefan Hippenstiel (Berlin)
Biofabrication in the Eye: Opportunities and Current Technical Barriers
Transplant Shape Matters: How Graft Architecture Influences Retinal Integration
Michiko Mandai (Kobe, J)
16:45-18:00
Raum XV
Highlights in Translational Science – IL-6 in retinal diseases & gene therapys
Thursday, 24th September 2026, 16:45 – 18:00
Chair: Felicitas Bucher (Freiburg) und Immanuel Philipp Seitz (Tübingen)
IL6 in retinal disease: Uveitis and beyond
Felicitas Bucher (Freiburg)
IL6 biology and therapeutic potential
Stefan Rose-John (Kiel)
IL6 in the immune response to gene
Kanmin Xue (Oxford, UK)
First clinical experiences with intravitreal IL-6 inhibitors
Sebastian Bemme (Göttingen)