Purpose: To define unmet needs in ophthalmology which can realistically be addressed in the next years (2019-2025) and to describe potential avenues for research to address these challenges.
Methods: Outcomes of a consensus process within the European Vision Institute (EVI, Brussels) are outlined. Disease areas which are discussed comprise glaucoma, retinal dystrophies, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye disease, corneal diseases, cataract and refractive surgery.
Results: Unmet needs in the mentioned disease areas are discussed and realistically achievable research projects outlined.
Conclusion: Considerable progress can be made in the field of ophthalmology and patient-relevant outcomes in the near future.
Keywords: Forthcoming challenges; Ophthalmology; Research; Research and developmental needs; Road map.