Two major eye diseases, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, account for two-thirds of all cases of blindness in Europe. With the ageing population in all Western societies and the limitations of current therapy, there could be a dramatic increase of blindness due to diseases of the ageing eye in the future. The impact on the individuals affected, societies and national economies will be challenging.

The Ageing Eye Conference will address these issues by bringing together experts in the fields of epidemiology, health economics, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, mechanisms of ageing and stem cell research.

The conference will provide European and global perspectives on the major causes of blindness, the latest research on the pathogenesis of the major age-related eye diseases and their socio-economic impact. The current options for treatment and rehabilitation will be discussed and future treatment strategies will be envisaged.