After last year’s East Coast-based presence, the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) headed west to Anaheim, California for its 2026 annual meeting:.
Ahead of four days packed with research, product innovations from over 180 exhibitors, and 300+ hours of CE, the meeting opened with a few notable announcements from the Academy.
Let’s start with a look at the big picture.
From the official Academy program’s session lineup of new clinical data to product (and investigational candidate) showcases, a few key topics are most prominent this year.
- Oculomics and artificial intelligence (AI)
- Myopia control via spectacle lenses and atropine
- A crowded presbyopia drop field
- Dry eye and ocular surface
- Retina and glaucoma
- Scope of practice expansion
Good to know … and how did the meeting kick off?
Academy 2026 opened bright and early Wednesday with an Alcon-sponsored welcome event to the estimated 7,000 attendees on-site.
AAO President-Elect Carl Spear, OD, MBFA, FAAO, took the stage to thank this year’s visionary sponsors—including Alcon, represented by Carla Mack, OD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA, head, global and U.S. professional education and development—before opening the floor to AAO President Jeffrey J. Walline, OD, PhD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, who offered a look at the lineup of events on the meeting agenda.
Also announced: a few new additions to the Academy’s offerings.
I’m listening …
At this year’s meeting: The AAO introduced a new course format called Academy Classroom Exchange (ACE) consisting of small-group, add-on courses.
And looking ahead: Dr. Walline announced the launch of Academy Always On, a new online program designed with flexible, year-round access with a research-to-practice focus.
The premise: This online, four-module framework will feature case-based learning delivered by clinical experts in an expanded 90-minute format—plus reflective, post-course quizzes for ODs to apply learnings directly into their practice.
- How to access: The program is expected to launch in the “not-too-distant future,” according to Dr. Walline. And as a bonus, Academy members will have free-of-charge access until the end of 2026 (more details to follow).
Any other updates?
Looking ahead to 2027: Dr. Walline also announced three regional meetings that will kick off across the country:
- Myopia Summit: March 20
- Location: Sheraton Charlotte Airport (Charlotte, North Carolina)
- Glaucoma Summit: May 15
- Location: Hilton Long Beach (Long Beach, California)
- Ocular Emergencies Summit: July 24
- Location: Sheraton Albuquerque Airport (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
If you’ll recall: The AAO hosted two regional events this past year—the Retina Summit in Indianapolis, Indiana (April), and the Myopia Summit in St. Louis, Missouri (June).
Didn’t Glance cover one of those meetings?
Indeed we did. Click here and see here to read our on-site coverage of the Retina Summit, as presented by two clinical experts
- Mohammed Rafieetary, OD, FAAO, FORS, ABO, ABCMO
- Roya Attar, OD, MBA, DHA, FAAO
Nice! Now, I know it’s still eary in the meeting, but were any ODs honored?
It’s never too early. In fact, the Academy recognized the newest recipients of the AAO Foundation Ezell Fellowship for their “outstanding research, leadership, and commitment to vision science that's helping shape the future of optometry and eye care.”
And for attendees with time on their hands Wednesday evening, Edwin Marshall OD, MS, MPH, FAAP, the 2026 Henry Peters Award Lecture winner, presented his lecture Beyond the Exam Room: The Public Health Movement in Optometry.
Speaking of evening events … did the Exhibit Hall open?
Yes! Doors opened following Dr. Walline’s ceremonial ribbon cutting.
And with that, thousands of attendees descended on the show floor for a first look at the exhibitors showcasing the latest technology, products and innovations shaping the future of optometry and vision science.
Amazing. Since you mentioned exhibitors, who was on-site?
189 companies.
While not a comprehensive list, we’ll share a few below (note: each hyperlink leads to our latest coverage on the companies).
Amgen. Avulux. Barti Software. BioTissue. Carl Zeiss Meditec USA. Carrot (formerly VirtualField). Cellution Biologics. Coburn Technologies. Dompé. EssilorLuxottica. Eyecare Partners. Haag-Streit USA. Harrow. iCare USA. Johnson & Johnson.
For more on these—and the plethora of research they sponsored—check back this weekend for that rundown.