23.10.2025 The second edition of CRATER (Conference on Recent Advances in Translational Eye Research), organized by the International Centre for Eye Research (ICTER), the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and the Candela Foundation, took place at the Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw from October 8-10, 2025. The event attracted 188 participants worldwide – scientists, physicians, engineers, and representatives of the med-tech industry – who came together to discuss how basic research can truly transform clinical practice in ophthalmology.
CRATER was designed as a space for dialogue between three worlds: science, clinics, and technology. The program included the latest discoveries in fields such as ocular optics and imaging, genetics, molecular biology of the retina, artificial intelligence, and cell and gene therapies. Parallel sessions discussed molecular vision processes, functional retinal imaging, AI applications in diagnostics, and new methods of interferometry and adaptive optics.
From the outset, it was emphasized that the conference’s goal was not merely to present results, but also to build a bridge between the laboratory and the clinic – symbolized by the participation of researchers, practitioners, and engineers designing future ophthalmic devices.
Speakers shaping the future of vision
The speakers included world-renowned authorities in ophthalmology and biomedical engineering.
The conference was opened by Professor Amanda Carr of University College London, co-founder of the London Project to Cure Blindness, who presented the current state of research on cell-based therapies for treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a plenary lecture.
Professor Amanda Carr’s lecture also generated considerable interest. Richard B. Rosen from the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, who presented the pioneering use of adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AO-SLO) in revealing retinal microstructures.
Professor Majlinda Lako from Newcastle University presented the results of research on the role of extracellular vesicles and complement activation in the pathogenesis of AMD. Her work, based on patient-derived cell lines, combined the threads of molecular biology and personalized medicine.
Icons of optics and biomedical engineering were also present. Prof. Claude Boccara, one of the founders of modern optical tomography, discussed the evolution of corneal imaging methods – from classical light scattering measurements to new approaches utilizing forward propagation phenomena.
Professor James Bainbridge from the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology discussed the opportunities and limitations of gene therapy for retinal diseases, pointing out that the greatest challenge remains precise delivery of the gene vector to the target cells and maintaining a long-lasting therapeutic effect.
Prof. Thomas Ach (University of Lübeck) demonstrated how retinal autofluorescence can become a marker of metabolic eye health, and Prof. Ethan Rossi from the University of Pittsburgh demonstrated how adaptive autofluorescence optics techniques open up new possibilities for monitoring photoreceptor degeneration.
New ICTER Research Group and 25 years of SD-OCT
On the second day of the conference, the formation of a new research group at ICTER was announced: PICO (Parallel Interferometry and Computational Optics). Its leader, Dr. Dawid Borycki, is tasked with developing parallel methods for interferometry and computational optics. The announcement, jointly presented by Prof. Olaf Strauss and Prof. Maciej Wojtkowski, was one of the most symbolic moments of this year’s CRATER. For many participants, it confirmed that Polish science is not only keeping up with global trends but is also beginning to set them.
At a special moment in the conference, CRATER 2025 participants expressed their gratitude to Professor Maciej Żylicz, President of the Foundation for Polish Science, for his long-standing support of the ICTER mission. It was thanks to the FNP’s International Research Agendas program that the center’s establishment and development were possible. It was emphasized that his leadership vision helped create an environment conducive to bold ideas, interdisciplinary collaboration, and trust in young scientists. Thanks to his commitment, ICTER developed world-class laboratories, research programs, and international partnerships, and many young researchers gained space to pursue their own translational projects.
The third day of the conference was dedicated to celebrating the 25th anniversary of the development of the SD-OCT method. This technology – developed by, among others, Professor Maciej Wojtkowski – revolutionized the diagnosis of eye diseases, enabling non-invasive imaging of microscopic structures in real time.
The anniversary sessions featured leading researchers and OCT pioneers: Andrew M. Rollins, Yoshiaki Yasuno, Rainer A. Leitgeb, Johannes F. de Boer, Christoph K. Hitzenberger, and Marinko Sarunic. Their lectures, covering both the history and future of the technology, reminded us that every scientific revolution begins with bold ideas and daring attempts to push the boundaries of knowledge.
Evening networking events and poster sessions fostered the building of new relationships, especially between young researchers and recognized authorities. In the atmosphere of open exchange of ideas, it was clear that the eye research community was becoming increasingly interdisciplinary and global.
There were also initiatives on a lighter note, such as the presentation of the educational book “Oczulęta”, created by Tomasz Samojlik, biologist and creator of acclaimed educational titles such as “Żubr Pompik” and “Ambaras”. This book introduces children to the mysteries of sight and light in an accessible way. It was this spirit of knowledge dissemination, combining science and sensitivity, that complemented the character of the CRATER conference.
A bridge between the laboratory and the clinic
CRATER 2025 confirmed that research into vision and eye function is one of the most dynamically developing fields of modern science today. From molecules and photoreceptors to artificial intelligence and robotics, each of these elements creates a shared translational ecosystem, with humans and their ability to see at its center.
As emphasized by Prof. Maciej Wojtkowski concluded the conference:
“We see ever more deeply – but our task is to better understand how to help people. CRATER is not only about the science of light, but also about how light can restore the light of life.”
The conference was not only a review of the latest achievements in ophthalmology but also a testament to the maturation of the Polish ICTER center as a major player in global eye research. Three days of discussions, 188 participants, dozens of lectures, and hundreds of scientific contacts established – this is the summary of an event that has already become a fixture in the calendar of the international translational ophthalmology community.
