Amplifying the global voice of people affected by retinal conditions
Advocate is one of Retina International’s three key pillars, alongside Empower and Innovate, and is central to our mission of creating meaningful change for people affected by retinal conditions.
Through advocacy, we ensure that the experiences, priorities, and needs of people living with retinal conditions are recognised and reflected in healthcare, research, and policy decisions.
We advocate for policies and systems that improve lives, working to ensure that retinal health remains a global priority and that everyone has access to timely diagnosis, appropriate care, support services, clinical trials, and emerging treatments.
Through collaboration with our members, partners, researchers, clinicians, and policymakers, we strengthen the patient voice and promote meaningful change across healthcare and research systems worldwide.
Our advocacy work
Why advocacy matters
Ensuring the needs of people affected by retinal conditions are heard
Advocacy plays a vital role in creating meaningful change for people affected by retinal conditions. Around the world, individuals and families face challenges including delayed diagnosis, unequal access to healthcare, limited support services, and barriers to participating in research and innovation.
By bringing together lived experience, evidence, and collaboration, advocacy helps ensure that decisions about healthcare, research, and policy reflect the real needs of the people they are intended to serve.
Raise awareness and Influence decision-making
Working towards better outcomes for the global retinal community
Improving Early Diagnosis and Access to Care
Timely diagnosis and appropriate care are essential for people affected by retinal conditions. We advocate for healthcare systems that support earlier identification, accurate diagnosis, effective care pathways, and access to appropriate support services.
Promoting Equitable Access to Treatments and Clinical Trials
Advances in retinal research are creating new opportunities for people affected by retinal conditions. We advocate for fair and equitable access to emerging therapies, clinical trials, and innovations regardless of geography or circumstance.
Supporting Patient-Centred Healthcare
Healthcare decisions should reflect the experiences, priorities, and needs of the people they impact. We advocate for meaningful patient involvement throughout healthcare planning, research, and decision-making.
Influencing Health and Research Policy
Strong policies are essential to advancing retinal health. We engage with stakeholders to promote policies that support research, innovation, access, and improved outcomes for people affected by retinal conditions.
Raising Awareness of Retinal Conditions
Greater awareness leads to better understanding, recognition, and action. We work to ensure retinal conditions are visible within global health conversations and that the experiences of affected communities are recognised.
Amplifying the experiences of people affected by retinal conditions worldwide
People living with retinal conditions are at the centre of Retina International’s advocacy work. Their experiences, perspectives, and priorities provide essential insight into the challenges faced by communities around the world.
As a global alliance of patient-led organisations, Retina International brings together diverse voices from different countries, cultures, and healthcare systems to create a stronger collective voice for retinal health.
Connecting patient organisations and communities
Connecting the global community through awareness, action, and collaboration
Throughout the year, Retina International and the wider retinal community come together to recognise important awareness days, campaigns, and events that highlight the experiences of people affected by retinal conditions.
These moments provide opportunities to raise awareness, share knowledge, amplify patient voices, and bring communities together to advocate for improved research, healthcare, access, and support.
From global awareness initiatives to scientific meetings, community events, and advocacy campaigns, these key dates help strengthen collaboration and keep retinal health at the forefront of conversations worldwide.
Driving policy change to improve outcomes for people affected by retinal conditions
Retina International works to influence policies, systems, and decisions that affect the lives of people living with retinal conditions.
Through evidence-based advocacy and collaboration with our members, partners, researchers, clinicians, and policymakers, we work to ensure that retinal health remains a priority and that healthcare and research systems are designed around the needs of the people they serve.
Our policy and campaign work focuses on improving access, strengthening patient involvement, supporting research progress, and creating more equitable systems for people affected by retinal conditions worldwide.
Building healthcare systems that recognise and respond to retinal health needs
Ensuring research reflects patient priorities and delivers meaningful impact
Promoting equitable access to the support and innovations people need
Ensuring healthcare decisions reflect the voices of those affected
Living with a retinal condition?
Connect with 43 member organisations across 40+ countries.
