The European Medicines Agency (EMA) hosted its first workshop for over 200 eye disease experts from all over the globe.

The two-day workshop enabled the experts to review regulatory and scientific challenges encountered when developing eye disorder medicines.

Participants included European regulators, doctors and patient representatives from Australia, Japan, Europe and the USA. They discussed visual function measurement methods in clinical trials, stem cell development and retinal disease gene therapy. Other topics covered included macular disease treatments, inflammation treatments, corneal surface repair with stem cells and dry eye treatment methods.

Treatment developments for childhood eye disorders including retinal diseases in premature babies, childhood glaucoma, postoperative pain relief and childhood glaucoma were all discussed at the workshop.

Spiros Vamvakas, head of Scientific Advice at the EMA, said; "The workshop was successful in developing interactions between European regulators, doctors and patient representatives. We will now move forward with regulatory guidance in areas such as dry eyes and macular oedema, which will require further stakeholder input. Further discussion and research is needed before we can provide guidance in other areas such as trial designs and endpoints in inflammation of the eye, and advanced therapies in corneal and retinal disease."