Local peer support groups Retina UK Local Peer Support Groups offer information and support via regular meetings.

Want to learn more about our support groups? retinauk.org.uk/information-and-support/...

Or interested in volunteering? Drop us an email at volunteering@retinauk.org.uk

Green background with a picture Martin smiling at the camera wearing a blue t-shirt with the Retina UK logo. Above is the curved text "Volunteer Spotlight" and below is a blue box with the white text "Martin Hills”.

🌟 Volunteer Spotlight 2025 🌟

This month we’re shining a light on Email Helpline volunteer Martin Hills. Martin uses his lived experience of sight loss to offer calm, thoughtful support to anyone reaching out for information or reassurance.

We are so thankful to volunteers like Martin. 💙

Five Retina UK volunteers in branded shirts and caps pose with a guide dog under a banner asking for support.

Our 50th anniversary year ends in June! Support our work at retinauk.org.uk/get-involved/donate/anniversary-appeal, or text ANNIVERSARY to 70560 to donate £10 (plus one standard message rate). Thank you for helping us drive forward sight loss research and support.

The molecular map of congenital stationary night blindness – the science of seeing in the dark CSNB is caused by mutations in the genes that affect a calcium channel (CaV1.4) in the retina, which is essential for sending light signals from the photoreceptors in the eye through the neurons to…

Read the full article here:

#Accessible Navy blue background with a green speech bubble in the centre. Text says: "The molecular map of congenital stationary night blindness – the science of seeing in the darkk".

New research shows different CSNB mutations affect the retina in distinct ways, even within the same gene. This early‑stage work suggests future treatments may need to be tailored to each mutation. Full article can be found below.

#Accessible A female researcher is working in a lab, with the caption: "Make an impact today & support Retina UK in 2026!"

We need you to get behind Retina UK in 2026. 💙

Generous monthly gifts – either as a regular donation, or by being a Retina UK member – help us to achieve our research and support services goals. 🔬

Get behind Retina UK today and make an impact: https://retinauk.org.uk/get-involved/donate 📧

#Accessible Backdrop of Exeter cathedral. Top left is navy bubble with white font "Sight Village Exeter". On the right are 3 bubbles (navy, light blue and navy) with dates of the event and times "14 April" and "9:00am-3:00pm) and the venue " Westpoint Conference Centre, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ".

We'll be exhibiting at #SightVillage Exeter on 14 April!

You'll be able to meet us in person and find out more about what we offer. Pre-registration is available and recommended by calling 0121 803 5313 or by emailing sv@qac.ac.uk.

We look forward to seeing you on the day!

Green speech bubble: Ocugen's gene therapy shows early promise in slowing vision loss from Stargardt disease.

Ocugen’s OCU410ST gene therapy aims to slow vision loss in Stargardts. Early results show good safety and signs of reduced retinal damage, supporting a larger phase 2/3 trial: retinauk.org.uk/news/slowing-sight-loss-...

#RetinaUK50 #TeamRetinaUK #5KADayInMay #Accessible 2 smiling supporters during a walking challenge, with the caption: "5K A Day In May returns in 1 month!"

1 month to go until 5K A Day In May starts! 🚨

Round up your loved ones for National Walking Month and take on our fundraising and exercise challenge: Donate £10 to take part! Complete 5K of exercise every day in May!  💙

Sign up here: https://retinauk.org.uk/event/5k-a-day-in-may-2026 🚶

Adults seated in a community meeting, listening to a presenter at the front under ring lights.

Five RETINA UK volunteers and staff in matching shirts and caps at an event, one holding a white cane and a guide dog in front.

Dr Hilgen wearing glasses speaks into a handheld microphone, gesturing beside a large screen above orange cabinets in a meeting room.

Two Retina UK staff members speaking with members of the community at our stand.

It was fantastic to meet so many members of our community and professionals in Glasgow at #SightVillage Scotland this month. Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Retina UK Research Update event, and a special thank you to Dr Brithe Hilgen for sharing her insights.

#RetinaUK  #Scotland

1 month until our amazing TCS London Marathon runners hit the streets! We can’t wait to cheer on #TeamRetinaUK. Want to support them? Join our volunteer team on the day.

Feeling inspired for 2026? Visit retinauk.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising...

Green background with a picture centre of Suzanne and Anne wearing Retina UK t-shirts and smiling at the camera. Above is the curved text "Volunteer Spotlight" and below is a blue box with the white text "Suzanne and Anne”.

🌟 Volunteer Spotlight 2025 🌟

This month we’re celebrating Suzanne and Anne, who use their lived experience of sight loss to support others across the South‑West through peer groups, Talk & Support and our Helpline. We’re so grateful for all they do. 💙

SB-007 update: dose-expansion portion of SpliceBio’s phase 1/2 trial underway with first participant dosed at Oxford What is SB-007? SB-007 is a type of adeno-associated viral vector (AVV) gene therapy. This means that a small virus, that doesn’t cause illness in humans, is used as a delivery system to introduce or…

Read the full article here:

SB-007 update: dose-expansion of SpliceBio's phase 1/2 trial underway; first participant dosed in Oxford.

SpliceBio has started the dose‑expansion phase of its phase 1/2 trial of SB‑007, a dual AAV gene therapy for Stargardt disease. The ASTRA trial runs alongside the POLARIS natural history study, which supports recruitment and helps improve understanding of disease progression and research endpoints.

#TeamRetinaUK #Baking #Fundraising #Accessible The background shows some chocolate mini eggs, with the caption: "Could you organise an Easter bake sale for Retina UK?"

#Easter’s coming, a perfect time to run a bake sale for Retina UK! Your fundraising helps support people with inherited sight loss in 2026 and beyond.

Find more Easter fundraising ideas here: retinauk.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising...

#Accessible A dark blue background with an intricate geometriic pattern. Three gold lanterns and several gold stars hang from the top. In the centre, large white text reads “Eid Mubarak.”

As Ramadan comes to a close, we send our warmest wishes to everyone in our community celebrating Eid.

Eid Mubarak from all of us at Retina UK. 💙

Opus Genetics has begun an early clinical trial of OPGx‑MERTK, a gene therapy for MERTK‑related RP, aiming to restore a functional MERTK gene via a single subretinal injection. Full article: retinauk.org.uk/news/opus-genetics-launc...

#Accessible dark blue background with pink border. In the centre is a text box with a blue fog horn to its right. The text in the centre reads "registration is open for the Retina UK annual conference!"

Registration is open for the Retina UK Annual Conference on 19 Sept in Birmingham and online. Open to anyone affected by inherited sight loss. In-person places are limited so secure your spot now: https://retinauk.org.uk/event/annual-conference/

#Accessible Our 50th anniversary logo, with the caption: "Support us before our 50th anniversary year ends..."

Time is running out to support our 50th anniversary appeal! 🚨 

Donate at retinauk.org.uk/get-involved/donate/anniversary-appeal or text ANNIVERSARY to 70560 to give £10 (plus one standard message rate).

Thank you for your continued support.💙

#Accessible Dark blue graphic with the title “Coffee Hour with Professor Jugnoo Rahi”. Event details read: Thursday 26 March, 3 – 4 pm, Coffee Junction, 42 Provost Street, London, N1 7SU. On the right side is an image of a coffee cup with froth, and in the corners are logos for NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre and Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Moorfields Eye Hospital hosts a Coffee Hour with Prof Jugnoo Rahi on Thurs 26 March, 3–4pm at Coffee Junction, 42 Provost St, London N1 7SU. Hear about childhood visual health research, ask questions, and share views. Free coffee and pastries. More info: https://moorfieldsbrc.nihr.ac.uk/events/

#Accessible A dark blue graphic with a subtle circuit‑board pattern in the background. At the top, a white rounded rectangle displays the hashtag “#TopTechTuesday.” Below, large bold text reads “Robotic Smart Glove,” highlighting an assistive technology theme.

For this week’s #TopTechTuesday, we’re highlighting a smart glove that uses ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles from 2–300cm, offering tactile or audio alerts to support safer navigation. Learn more: https://retinauk.org.uk/?s=toptechtuesday

The brand new Retina UK online auction is here! 💰

Please start your bidding on some fantastic prizes and support those living with inherited sight loss: http://retinauk.org.uk/auction ☺️

#Auction #Fundraising #RetinaUK

#Accessible A promotional graphic for the Retina UK Research Update event. It features a photo of Dr Birthe Hilgen, Senior Research Associate at Newcastle University. Text reads: “Retina UK Research Update Event. Dr Birthe Hilgen. 1–2pm. Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow, G51 1EA.” Retina UK’s logo and a “50 Years” emblem appear on the design.

Join us at Sight Village Scotland for a Retina UK research update with Dr Birthe Hilgen. Hear the latest on inherited sight loss research.

Time: 1–2pm
Register: https://retinauk.org.uk/event/glasgow-research-update/

Thank you to Irwin Mitchell for sponsoring our event.

#Accessible A photo of a male volunteer smiling as he takes a Helpline call, with the quote above as the caption: “Retina UK has helped me in so many ways - emotionally & practically.”

Monthly gifts and memberships help us reach our 2026 goals. “This charity has helped me emotionally and practically. The sense of community and warmth is indescribable and I’m so grateful to Retina UK for always being there for me.”

Support us today: https://retinauk.org.uk/get-involved/donate

#Accessible featuring a white wearable assistive device with a padded band and compact control module, photographed on a light background. The text “#TopTechTuesday” appears at the top, and “The Sixth Sense” is displayed in bold orange text at the bottom.

New navigation tech for people with sight loss from Hope Tech. Sixth Sense is worn like headphones, detects objects up to 3m using sonar, echolocation and computer vision, and offers GPS voice guidance via an app. Overview here: https://retinauk.org.uk/resource/toptechtuesday/