The eighth ERN-EYE 2025 Scientific Workshop was held on October 6 and 7, 2025 at the Robert Hollman Foundation in Padua, Italy, bringing together clinicians, researchers, rehabilitation specialists, and patient representatives from across Europe.
Over the course of the two days, participants examined how to improve assessment, diagnosis, and care pathways for people with visual impairment from childhood through adulthood.
Day 1 – Childhood and transition to adult services
The first day was mainly devoted to visual impairment in children and managing the transition from pediatric to adult services.
Speakers addressed the challenges and opportunities related to pediatric visual impairment, including:
- The impact of visual impairment on neuropsychological development
- Advances in the assessment of visual function, such as the use of eye-tracking technology
- The methodologies of vision assessment in children with developmental disabilities
- Early intervention strategies and understanding parents’ needs
In the afternoon, the focus shifted toaccessibility in education, “reflection-based” rehabilitation approaches, and quality-of-life assessment tools, such as the European project SeeMyLife.
A session devoted to the transition from childhood to adulthood presented reference models drawn from ERN ReCONNET, Irish guidelines and practical case studies, culminating in a plenary discussion.
Day 2 – Care and rehabilitation in adulthood
During the second day, speakers covered the assessment and management of visual impairment in adulthood, focusing on:
- Common clinical scenarios in adults with rare eye diseases
- Reliable test methods for low and ultra-low vision
- Patient-reported outcome measures(PROMS)
- The role of mental health in the treatment of rare eye diseases
The session on Rehabilitation Pathways presented innovations in low vision services, the role of Eye Care Liaison Officers (ECLOs), the results of the ERN-EYE Survey on low vision services, and advances in optical and digital aids.
The day concluded with a discussion on new assistive technologies, hybrid models of telerehabilitation, and patients’ perspectives on rehabilitation needs and expectations.
David Keegan of the ERN EYE board said, “We had a fruitful and very inspiring meeting of the ERN-EYE group in Padua, Italy, at the Robert Hollman Foundation, hosted by our colleague Agnese Suppiej.
It was inspiring to hear about all the work being done in the field of inclusion and supportive therapies for children with low vision or blindness, including family support and education.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen early diagnosis, improve coordination of care across all life stages, expand access to rehabilitation and assistive technologies, and put the patients’ perspective at the center of care for Rare Eye Diseases in Europe.
