Dear all

We are pleased to announce that the Abstract Book from the UK-EGG Annual Conference 2025 has been officially published and is now accessible online.

Readers may view the complete collection of abstracts by selecting the images below or by visiting the following link - https://bmjophth.bmj.com/content/10/Suppl_5

Regards
Ms Neeru A Vallabh
Clinical Senior Lecturer in Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences |
Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist (Glaucoma), St Pauls Eye Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Dr Randa TH Li

Monday 16th June 2025

Tsuzuki lecture theatre, St Anne’s College, Oxford

The 2025 UK-EGG annual meeting was held in Oxford on 16th June. 100 delegates came together on a glorious summer day. We were warmly welcomed by Professor Susan Downes (Professor of Ophthalmology, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Oxford), to the beautiful venue of St Anne’s College.

In a lecture room without empty spaces, attendees were spellbound by breath-taking research delivered by distinguished speakers. Dr Kanmin Xue and Professor Sobha Sivaprasad gave us insights into the latest developments in AMD treatment, Professor Robert MacLaren updated us on RPGR gene therapy and gave promise of a 2nd gene therapy soon to be approved, whilst Dr Jasmina Kapetanovic showcased her current research in optogenetics. Professor Omar Mahroo was as excited as ever about electrophysiology and its applications in CSNB. Miss Samantha de Silva kept us on our tip toes by asking us thought provoking questions such as “Can stationary IRDs be progressive?”. Dr Panos Sergouniotis briefed us on the genotype-phenotype correlation in albinism and Professor Dominik Fischer told us of the challenges of gene therapy for achromatopsia.

Professor Susan Downes delivered the keynote speech on Stargardt through the ages (photo 1, Prof Downes accepting a bouquet from Prof Moosajee). How lucky we are to be on the cusp of emerging treatments! The importance of research into genetic eye disease was further emphasised in charity perspectives delivered by representatives from Stargardt’s connected registry, Fight for Sight, Retina UK and Macular Society.

Early career researchers shared their promising genetic eye disease studies in a fascinating array of posters and high-quality presentations. Amidst strong contenders, Dr Nicky Cronbach won the best oral presentation and Dr Sara Romero-Vázquez won the best poster presentation. Prizes were awarded by the Chair of UK-EGG, Professor Mariya Moosajee (photo 2, L-R Prof Downes, Dr Nicky Cronbach, Prof Moosajee, Dr Sara Romero-Vázquez). The UK-EGG Seedcorn Grant was awarded to Danyun Zhao, a PhD student in the lab of Dr Cerys Manning at the University of Manchester, to support “Developing a CRISPR activation approach to prevent Stargardt disease progression”.

UK-EGG would like to thank all delegates, sponsors and speakers for contributing to a successful 2025 meeting and extend our appreciation to our local hosts and organisers Samantha de Silva and Professor Downes (alongside Prof Moosajee and Dr Kapetanovic, photo 3, L-R Prof Moosajee, Prof Downes, Dr Kapetanovic, Miss de Silva).