E98-Inherited Retinal Diseases in 2026 - Dr. Brian Ballios

Dr. Brian Ballios from the University of Toronto and Toronto Western Hospital returns to The Retina Channel for a comprehensive update on inherited retinal diseases (IRDs). We discuss the evolving landscape of gene therapy, including long-term experience with RPE65 therapy and emerging treatments for IRDs including antisense oligonucleotides, optogenetics, new therapies for Stargardt disease, stem cell and photoreceptor replacement strategies, and the importance of natural history studies in designing future clinical trials. Brian was the second-ever guest on The Retina Channel back in 2017, making his return for Episode 98 nearly nine years later a particularly special one. A fascinating discussion about how far the field has come — and where IRD treatment may be heading next.