Talking Euretina

Episode 75: Transitioning from Retina Specialist to Industry

What drives leading retina specialists to trade the clinic for corporate innovation? In this episode, Euretina Board member Kourous Rezaei speaks with Jay Duker (CEO, Eyepoint), Sascha Fauser (SVP, Roche), and Marion Munk (CSO, Gutblick Group; CMO, Isarna Therapeutics) about their transitions from clinical practice to industry. Together they share insights on leadership, research, and the evolving relationship between academia and biotechnology in shaping the future of retinal therapeutics

Episode 74: Intuition in Uncharted Waters: The Art of Retinal Surgery

In this episode Professors Dean Eliott, Grazia Pertile, and José García-Arumí join chair Kourous Rezaei to explore how surgical mastery is built through intuition, preparation, and reflection. They share practical insights on mentorship, focus, teamwork, and managing stressful cases — from avoiding coffee before surgery to resetting after complications — revealing that great surgeons are defined not just by skill, but by judgment, patience, and care for the patient

Episode 73: When to Treat Small Choroidal Melanomas: A Debate Between Early Intervention and Observation

In this first-ever debate edition of Talking Euretina, Dr Rumana Hussain (Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre) introduces Professors Arun Singh (Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic), Heinrich Heimann (Liverpool Ocular Oncology Service) and Bertil Damato (Moorfields Eye Hospital) as they debate one of ocular oncology’s most enduring questions — when to operate on small choroidal melanomas. The panel examines diagnostic uncertainty, genetic risk and patient choice in determining when to treat.

Episode 72: Bridging the Gap - Why Diversity in Retina Trials Can’t Wait

Retinal diseases disproportionately affect certain populations—yet these groups are underrepresented in research. In this episode, Dr. Christiana Dinah chairs a global panel including Drs. Adrienne Scott, Charles Wykoff and Jeremiah Brown to explore the systemic and structural barriers to inclusion in retina trials, and why the stakes for equity have never been higher

Episode 71: Restoring Vision with Bionics: Inside the Prima Implant Breakthrough

In this episode, Prof. Frank Holz leads a panel discussion on a major leap forward in retinal prosthesis: the Prima system for geographic atrophy. Joined by Dr. Mahi Muqit and Prof. Lars-Olof Hattenbach, they explore how their extraordinary wireless subretinal implant is restoring visual perception in late-stage AMD. 

Episode 70: Highlights from the Euretina Congress 2025 in Paris.

In this episode, Profs. Lejla Vajzovic (USA), Sandrine Zweifel (Switzerland), and Heinrich Heimann (UK) reflect on a fantastic few days in Paris and share their highlights from the 2025 programme for you to watch back through the portal.

Episode 69: Pioneering Retina: Prof. Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth on AI, AMD & 25 Years of Euretina

Euretina President Prof. Anat Loewenstein speaks with Prof. Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth, 25th Euretina Lecturer, about her groundbreaking career in retinal disease, from imaging innovations to AI-driven early detection. They discuss the EU-funded iScreen project, the future of AMD management, and the significance of two women presidents (past and present) as Euretina celebrates its 25th anniversary in Paris

Episode 68: AI, Epidemiology & Innovation: Prof. Korobelnik on the Future of Retina

Ahead of his Gisbert Richard Lecture at this year’s Euretina Congress in Paris, Prof. Jean-François Korobelnik joins Prof. Nicole Eter to reflect on a career at the forefront of retinal research. From surgical breakthroughs to his leadership of the E3 consortium, and his cautious optimism for AI, Prof. Korobelnik shares insights on past progress and future priorities in retina

Episode 67: Throwing Away Wisdom – Maria Berrocal on Saving Proven Treatments for PDR and Retinal Detachment

Ahead of her Kreissig Award Lecture at the Euretina Congress in Paris, Professor Maria Berrocal (Puerto Rico) joins Euretina past president Alistair Laidlaw to discuss why time-tested treatments like PRP and scleral buckling still matter. They explore the risks of over-reliance on anti-VEGF in proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the decline in buckle training, and how chandelier techniques could revive it

Episode 66: A Holistic Approach? Patient Experience, Mental Health and Emotional Intelligence

In this thought-provoking episode, Professor Tariq Aslam and Retina International’s Avril Daly join Jonathan McCrea to explore the emotional and psychological dimensions of retinal disease. From the power of empathy in clinical care to the need for integrated mental health services, the discussion highlights why supporting patients beyond the medical chart is more vital than ever—especially in an AI-driven world.