Ophthalmology conferences provide an invaluable environment for medical students to network with peers, collaborate with mentors, exchange educational ideas, and enhance their research presentation skills. Meeting abstracts are an exceptional way for students to strengthen their resumes, positioning them for future career advancement.
Although conferences offer many opportunities for trainees, attendance can be costly, and many medical schools do not fund student participation. However, several conferences offer scholarships for medical students, residents, and fellows to attend. Some conferences also offer funding opportunities for trainees from backgrounds that are underrepresented in medicine (URiM) and ophthalmology.
A few society conferences require trainees to submit an abstract under a member of that society. In these cases, trainees must identify a mentor with whom to submit an abstract. Typically, the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Retina Society, and American Ophthalmological Society require abstracts to be submitted with a society member’s sponsorship.
To help with conference planning, I have compiled a list of ophthalmology conferences that welcome trainee abstract submissions. The conferences listed are held in the United States, and several offer travel grant opportunities. Although some of the listed deadlines and meeting dates have already passed, these dates remain similar year to year and may still be useful in planning next year’s submissions.
OPHTHALMOLOGY CONFERENCE DETAILS FOR TRAINEES | 2025 & 2026
- January 17–23, 2026 | Waikoloa Village, Hawaii
- Abstract submission deadline: July 14, 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $580
American Uveitis Society (AUS) Winter Symposium
- January 18–20, 2025 | Park City, Utah
- Abstract submission deadline: September 16, 2024
- Approximate registration cost: $400
- Scholarship: resident/fellow travel awards and registration up to $2,500
Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) Annual Meeting
- February 4–7, 2026 | San Diego
- Approximate registration cost: $350
EnVision Summit Ophthalmology & Optometry
- February 13–16, 2026 | Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
- Approximate abstract submission deadline: November 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $0
American Glaucoma Society (AGS) Annual Meeting
- February 19–22, 2026 | Rancho Mirage, California
- Approximate abstract submission deadline: October 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $0
American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) Annual Meeting
- March 18–22, 2026 | Boston
- Approximate abstract submission deadline: September 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $350
- Scholarship: student/resident travel awards up to $1,500
North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) Annual Meeting
- March 20–24, 2026 | Boston
- Approximate abstract submission deadline: October 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $350
- Scholarship: abstract and manuscript awards up to $1,000 for conference costs
Vit-Buckle Society (VBS) Annual Meeting
- April 9–11, 2026 | Las Vegas, Nevada
- Approximate abstract submission deadline: October 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $200
- Scholarship: student/resident travel awards up to $500 with free registration and lodging; FOstering Careers for Underrepresented Stars (FOCUS) Program for medical students and residents underrepresented in medicine (URiM)
- April 10-13, 2026 | Washington, DC
- Approximate abstract submission deadline: September 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $0
American Uveitis Society Spring Meeting
- May 3, 2025 | Salt Lake City
- Approximate registration cost: $50
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Imaging in the Eye
- May 3, 2025 | Salt Lake City
- Abstract submission deadline: February 7, 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $215
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting
- May 4–8, 2025 | Salt Lake City
- Abstract submission deadline: December 6, 2024
- Approximate registration cost: $395
- Scholarship: travel awards and registration of approximately $1,000
- May 8–11, 2025 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Abstract submission deadline: March 3, 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $175
American Society of Ophthalmic Trauma (ASOT) Annual Meeting
- May 9–10, 2025 | Houston
- Abstract submission deadline: March 1, 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $0
- May 15–17, 2026 | Austin, Texas
- Abstract submission deadline: April 2026 or until spots are filled
- Approximate registration cost: $95
- Scholarship: student/resident travel awards up to $200 with free registration and lodging
American Ophthalmological Society (AOS) Annual Meeting
- May 15–17, 2025 | Naples, Florida
- Abstract submission deadline: January 23, 2024
- Approximate registration cost: $300
Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) Annual Meeting
- June 25–28, 2025 | San Diego
- Abstract submission deadline: February 3, 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $500
- Scholarship: student/resident travel awards up to $1,500
American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) Annual Meeting
- July 30–August 2, 2025 | Long Beach, California
- Abstract submission deadline: February 5, 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $200
Women in Ophthalmology (WIO) Summer Symposium
- August 7–10, 2025 | Amelia Island, Florida
- Abstract submission deadline: March 27, 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $375
- Scholarship: travel awards and registration for URiM residents
AAO Global Ophthalmology Summit
- August 15–17, 2025 | Chicago
- Abstract submission deadline: April 11, 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $150
- Scholarship: resident/fellow travel awards
The Retina Society Annual Scientific Meeting
- September 10–13, 2025 | Chicago
- Abstract submission deadline: March 30, 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $400
- Scholarship: travel awards and registration up to $2,500 for residents in Retina Society’s URiM (RESOURCE) Mentoring Program
American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) Fall Scientific Symposium
- October 16–17, 2025 | Orlando, Florida
- Abstract submission deadline: April 28, 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $535
- Scholarship: travel awards and registration up to $2,000 for URiM residents
- October 17–20, 2025 | Orlando, Florida
- Abstract submission deadline: April 8, 2025
- Approximate registration cost: $75
