American Academy of Optometry Opens Registration & Housing for Academy 2026 Anaheim

The American Academy of Optometry has opened registration and housing for Academy 2026 Anaheim, its premier annual meeting bringing together leaders in eye care, research, and vision science. The meeting will take place September 30-October 3, 2026, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. Early bird registration rates are available now through July 29, 2026.

Academy 2026 Anaheim will offer more than 300 hours of continuing education, along with new research and clinical insights designed to advance patient care. Attendees will have the opportunity to customize their experience through a wide range of educational formats and special programs.

Education highlights include:

More than 300 hours of coinuing education
Scientific papers and posters showcasing the latest research and interesting case reports
Section and Special Interest Group (SIG) symposia addressing specialized and relevant areas of focus
Hands-on workshops and intimate Academy Classroom Exchange (ACE) courses available to add-on enhancing your experience
Advanced training opportunities in lasers, surgical procedures, and aesthetics, with each offering 16 hours of CE as well as a certification in these specialized areas

“The Academy meeting is more than an event; it’s a celebration of the people and ideas that move our profession forward,” said Academy President, Jeffrey Walline, OD, PhD, FAAO. “When we come together in Anaheim, we strengthen our community, elevate our science, and reaffirm our commitment to lifelong learning. Register now and join us for an unforgettable Academy 2026 Anaheim.”

A featured highlight of this year’s meeting is the Plenary Session, “Insights to

Action: Research Redefining Clinical Practice Today,” taking place

Wednesday, September 30. This session will bring together leaders from Academy Sections and SIGs to present landmark studies that are reshaping clinical care. Through concise and high-impact presentations, this Plenary Session translates cutting-edge evidence into meaningful clinical insights, reinforcing the Academy’s commitment to advancing patient care through research driven practice.

Another key session, the Monroe J. Hirsch Research Symposium, titled “Oculomics – Leveraging Ocular Biomarkers to Assess Systemic Health,” will explore how advances in ocular imaging and diagnostics are enabling earlier detection of systemic diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative conditions.

The meeting will also feature hundreds of Scientific Program paper and poster presentations, including the popular Hot Topic CE Paper Sessions, offering timely insights into emerging research and clinical trends.

The abstract submission window for the Scientific Program will be open May 1May 29, 2026, and are open to both members and nonmembers. Guidelines can be accessed here . The final program schedule will be announced in late July.

In addition to the continuing education opportunities, attendees will have access to a robust exhibit hall Wednesday through Friday, featuring more than 170 companies showcasing the latest technologies and innovations in eye care. There will also be additional opportunities to engage with industry partners during enriching breakfast, lunch, and dinner sessions scheduled throughout the meeting.

The Academy 2026 Anaheim Program Preview provides an overview of meeting highlights, educational offerings, and attendee resources, including information on contracted hotels, childcare services, and things to do in Anaheim.

Registration and housing are now open. Early bird registration rates will be available through July 29, 2026. For more information or to register, visit www.aaopt.org/2026 .

About the American Academy of Optometry

The American Academy of Optometry inspires excellence in eye care by fostering research and disseminating knowledge in vision science through its journals, Optometry and Vision Science and Clinical Insights in Eyecare, and the continuing education presented at its annual meeting. Fellows of the Academy are committed to the premise that learning is a lifelong obligation of a professional, as is the commitment to expand the profession’s knowledge base through ongoing fellowship and exchange. The next annual meeting of the American Academy of Optometry will be Academy 2026 Anaheim, September 30 – October 3, 2026 in Anaheim, CA. For more information, visit www.aaopt.org .