
What to expect at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting
The agenda includes subspecialty days, evening events and partner programmes from practice management organisations
The 2025 
Shortly before the main meeting, Subspecialty Day programmes are scheduled for 17 and 18 October. Day one features glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular oncology and pathology, refractive surgery and the first retina day. On day two, attendees will focus on cornea, oculofacial plastic surgery and a continuation of the retina subspecialty day. All events are held in the Orange County Convention Center.
Other gatherings of interest are the American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives Practice Management Program and the American Academy of Ophthalmic Professionals Clinical Teams Program, which are scheduled for 17 to 20 October.
Those interested in attending the AAO meeting in person may 
AAO also offers the option to attend virtually; those interested can 
Main meeting highlights
Attendees have exhaustive educational opportunities to choose from, which include instructional courses, paper sessions, poster sessions, skills transfer courses, Academy Café, "Ask the Experts" programming, podium posters and symposia, all of which are sprinkled throughout the meeting.
The following is just a few of the available highlights on each day. All times are expressed in Eastern Daylight Time.
Friday, 17 October
- Troutman Award Lecture
 Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty Using Dehydrated Versus Standard Organ Culture-Stored Donor Corneas: Prospective Randomized Trial, from 11:57 to 13:35
- The Charles L. Schepens MD Lecture
 How to Describe New Diseases, the Same Skills Necessary to Become an Outstanding Clinician, from 9:23 to 10:35
- The 2025 American Glaucoma Society Subspecialty Day Lecture
 Truly Personalized Glaucoma Care, from 11:30 to 13:43
Saturday, 18 October
- Opening Session and Annual Business Meeting, 9:00 to 11:00
- Dr. Allan Jensen and Claire Jensen Lecture
 Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and the Future of Ophthalmology, 11:30 to 12:30
- C. Stephen and Frances Foster Lecture
 “Bedside” to “Bench” and Back, 11:30 to 12:30
- Jackson Memorial Lecture
 Using Genetics for Glaucoma Screening and Risk Stratification, 9:46 to 10:11
- William F. Hoyt Lecture 
 What Have We Learned from the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial?, 14:57 to 15:15
- Michael F. Marmor Lecture in Ophthalmology and the Arts, 10:14 to 10:39
- Robert N. Shaffer Lecture
 Glaucoma at the Center of the Earth from 14:53 to 15:08
Sunday, 19 October
- YO Programme Part 1 
 Private, Independent and Powerful: The Future of Solo Practice symposium, 8:00 to 9:15
- Zimmerman Lecture
 Discovery, 14:50 to 15:13
- Castroviejo Lecture
 Innovation in Ophthalmology: Advances in the Management of Endothelial Dysfunction, 10:38 to 10:58
- Parker Heath Lecture
 Innovations in Ophthalmology and Global Health Policy: Shaping the Future of Global Eye Care, 8:45 to 9:00
- Jones/Smolin Lecture
 Viral and Other Infectious Culprits of Conjunctival Tumors, 8:55
- Charles D. Kelman Lecture
 Perfect Prediction—Are We There Yet?, 16:40
- Marshall M. Parks Lecture
 High Pressure Situations: When Optic Discs Don’t Follow the Rules, 12:23 to 12:43
Monday, 20 October
- Scientific Findings from the RPB/AAO Award for IRIS Registry Research symposium, 9:45 to 11:00
- Wendell L. Hughes Lecture
 Prioritizing Anatomy and Knowledge of Surgical Techniques to Fuel Innovations, 10:33 to 10:48
- Whitney G. Sampson Lecture
 Role of Corneal Nerves in Wound Healing and Disease, 8:45 to 9:05
- Ruedemann Lecture
 Orbital Socket and Implant Management: Lessons Learned From Guatemala to Ukraine, 12:19 to 12:39
Exhibit Hall
The exhibit hall will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00 and on Monday from 9:00 to 15:30.
The list of exhibitors is available 
Evening Events
A special event, Illuminate, is scheduled for Saturday, October 18, from 19:30 to 22:30. The venue is Live! at the Point Orlando, located at 9101 International Drive.
Illuminate, aka Illuminate the Night in Orlando, creates a block party-style event that will allow attendees to “reconnect, recharge, and revel in good company, all while supporting ophthalmic education," according to AAO.1
Attendees can enjoy cocktails and appetizers while visiting four themed venues: Houndsmen Lounge, Sports and Social, PBR Cowboy Bar and Shark Bar.
This year, AAO will celebrate honorees Christie L. Morse, MD, and the Knights Templar Eye Foundation for their leadership and commitment to improving vision.
Tickets for Illuminate can be purchased tickets while registering for AAO 2025.
On Sunday, October 19, attendees can enjoy Universal Islands of Adventure from 17:00. And from 20:00 to 13:30, AAO invites conference attendees to “unlimited access to the most amazing theme park rides and attractions in Orlando,” during which time specific areas are reserved for conference attendees.
Tickets can be purchased while registering for AAO 2025.
Camp AAO
Camp AAO is a childcare opportunity offered by the AAO. Parents of children aged 6 months to 12 years can take advantage of this service
The camp is described as “a safe, nurturing environment located near the Orange County Convention Center. Children will have the opportunity to participate in arts and crafts, a variety of active games, and additional activities.”
Parents must provide food for their children at the time they are dropped off or parents can bring food during the day.
Registration and payment for Camp AAO are required by October 9.
Reference
- Illuminate. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed October 8, 2025. https://www.aao.org/foundation/celebration-overview
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