ALL-PHILADELPHIA GLAUCOMA RESEARCH RETREAT ADVANCES COLLABORATION AND DISCOVERY
PHILADELPHIA (March 24, 2026) – Researchers from several of Philadelphia’s leading academic and medical institutions convened at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia on March 13–14 for the inaugural All Philadelphia Glaucoma Research Retreat, a meeting dedicated to fostering collaboration and accelerating progress in glaucoma research.
Organized by Wills Eye Hospital and hosted at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, the two-day retreat brought together principal investigators, laboratory leaders, and trainees from Wills Eye, the University of Pennsylvania’s Scheie Eye Institute, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Temple University, and Drexel University. Through scientific presentations, poster sessions, and roundtable discussions, participants shared insights into ongoing research and explored new opportunities for cross-institutional collaboration.
“This retreat highlights the extraordinary depth of glaucoma research taking place across Philadelphia,” said Joel S. Schuman, MD, FACS, Vice Chair for Research Innovation, Co-Director of the Glaucoma Service, and co-director of the Advanced Center for Ophthalmic Research in Neuroimaging (ACORN) Lab at Wills Eye Hospital. “By bringing investigators together to exchange ideas and identify areas of synergy, we hope to accelerate discoveries that will ultimately benefit patients affected by glaucoma.”
The meeting was facilitated by C. Ross Ethier, PhD, a leader in glaucoma research, who guided discussions aimed at identifying opportunities for collaboration among laboratories across the region. The program also featured a keynote address by Adriana Di Polo, PhD, whose work focuses on neuroprotection and neuroregeneration in neurodegenerative diseases, including glaucoma.
In addition to presentations from principal investigators, research trainees from participating laboratories presented posters highlighting emerging discoveries, providing an opportunity for early-career scientists to engage directly with leaders in the field. Posters ranged from topics such as basic science investigations on neurodegeneration, neuroprotection and neuroenhancement to novel diagnostic methodologies to various new approaches to glaucoma treatment, including technological advances and gene therapy.
“Bringing investigators together from different institutions creates opportunities to see connections between different areas of research that might otherwise remain siloed,” said Ahmara G. Ross, MD, PhD, a retreat participant from Scheie Eye Institute at Penn Presbyterian and an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Neurology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. “Meetings like this help build the critical ‘team science’ collaborations that are essential for advancing our understanding of glaucoma and developing new approaches to treatment.”
The second day of the retreat focused on collaborative discussions centered on neuroprotection, neuroregeneration, and neuroenhancement, which are all areas of growing interest that hold promise for preserving vision and slowing the progression of glaucoma.
The All Philadelphia Glaucoma Research Retreat was made possible with philanthropic support of the innovative glaucoma research taking place at Wills Eye Hospital and elsewhere, helping to foster collaboration among investigators across the broader ophthalmic and scientific community.
“Philanthropy plays a vital role in advancing research and creating opportunities like this for innovation,” said Dr. Schuman. “We are deeply grateful to our donors for their support of this gathering and their commitment to accelerating progress in glaucoma detection, prognosis, prevention and treatment.”
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. By bringing together researchers across institutions to share discoveries and identify new areas of partnership, the All Philadelphia Glaucoma Research Retreat aims to strengthen connections among investigators and encourage the region’s leadership in advancing innovative approaches to understanding and treating the disease.
About Wills Eye Hospital
Wills Eye Hospital is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of vision. As a trusted leader in ophthalmology, the clinical skill and innovative research of top-ranked, compassionate physicians combined with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment procedures make Philadelphia a global destination for eye care. As an independent specialty hospital, with four regional surgical centers, Wills Eye serves as a comprehensive center for ophthalmology focused on patient care, research, and education. Founded in 1832 through a bequest by Quaker merchant James Wills and registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Wills Eye Hospital has consistently earned top national ranking on U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Hospitals” survey.