S+S, Fall 2024
i2Eye, the sixth annual interdisciplinary conference on innovative imaging of eye diseases, was held in September at the UPMC Vision Institute. Around 165 people from all over the world attended the three-day event, with 40 from France.
Speakers and attendees were a mix of physicists, biologists, and ophthalmologists. This year’s conference experimented with broadening the scope to include more biological and neuroscience topics, as well as more industry participation and professional development programming for trainees.
In his introductory message, Department Chair José-Alain Sahel said, “”We are thrilled to host the i2Eye conference at the Vision Institute of Pittsburgh. This conference was started six years ago by Kate Grieve, Michel Paques and Ethan Rossi and has become an annual event bringing together a growing community of researchers around innovative imaging of eye diseases and now many other areas of vision science.”
Topics included innovative imaging technologies for structural imaging of the anterior segment and retina, functional retinal imaging, ocular immunology and inflammation, eye movements, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, animal models, organoids and novel vision restoration therapies such as optogenetics. Scientific sessions consisted of invited and submitted talks grouped by topic followed by lengthy discussions. These discussion sessions are a unique aspect of the i2eye format, where “we aim to bridge between disciplines for fruitful discussions on how to move our interrelated fields of investigation forward together,” the conference website stated.
Additional programming included a poster session, roundtable discussion with industry, hands-on demonstrations of innovative imaging technologies, Vision Institute laboratory tours, and professional development activities for trainees.
On-site and online registration was free of charge to all invited speakers and attendees working in academia or at nonprofit institutions. Online participants were able to join virtually for certain sessions.
Dr. Sahel said one of the key strengths of the conference was the people. “The ability to bring together people from the U.S. and Paris and so many important researchers from all the countries [means that there is] lots of expertise,” he said. “They wish to work together and bridge the gaps and knowledge and provide better care for our patients.”
Director of the IHU FOReSIGHT, Christophe Baudouin, expressed how important it is to continue the strong relationship between Paris and Pittsburgh, which means meeting repeatedly in both countries. He lauded the fascinating achievements in imaging. “Innovation in terms of imaging right now and potential application in the future has been absolutely amazing,” he said.