Global Ophthalmology Summit

PROJECT SUMMARY Global Ophthalmology is an expanding field within ophthalmology that unifies the local and international community to advance research, clinical care, education, and policy to prevent blindness worldwide. The Global Ophthalmology Summit is the only United States (U.S.) based meeting that delivers in depth and focused content in research in global eye health and health equity. It brings together leaders to create community and foster collaboration amongst meeting participants which is an opportunity to captivate a young audience to lay the foundation for future collaborations, mentorship, and inspire a career in vision science. Key research topics addressed include global scale collaborative research consortia, disease-specific interventions, technology and innovation, sustainability, education, and advancing eye health systems in the U.S. and globally. The resources sought in this proposal aim to enhance the participation of young researchers within the field of global ophthalmology through the following aims. In aim 1 we want to provide an opportunity to strengthen the global eye research community by bringing local and international expertise together to focus on innovative solutions to prevent and treat blindness worldwide. In aim 2 our goal is to create collaboration through providing intentional meeting content amongst the diverse group of attendees. In aim 3 we want to support innovative vision research in global ophthalmology of trainees and early career investigators. The mission of the Global Ophthalmology Summit is in alignment with the National Eye Institute’s new strategic plan to drive innovative vision research, foster collaboration, build global research consortia, inspire and recruit a diverse workforce, and educate our community and policymakers on the pressing needs of vision research. The National Eye Institute’s cross cutting areas of research emphasis addressed in past and future Summits include genetic research, data science, individual quality of life, and public health and disparities research.