AAO 2026, the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is the world’s largest and most comprehensive ophthalmology conference, held October 9–12, 2026 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

It brings together 25,000+ eye‑care professionals from more than 140 countries, offering an expansive scientific program across all major subspecialties—cataract, cornea, glaucoma, retina, pediatrics, oculoplastics, refractive surgery, neuro‑ophthalmology, and uveitis. Attendees can participate in hundreds of CME‑accredited courses, symposia, original paper sessions, poster discussions, video programs, and hands‑on Skills Transfer labs.

The meeting opens on Saturday, Oct. 10, featuring the 83rd Edward Jackson Memorial Lecture by Janet L. Davis, MD, and a keynote by Robert Wachter, MD, discussing AI’s impact on healthcare. Subspecialty Day sessions on Oct. 9–10 provide deep dives into glaucoma, retina, neuro‑ophthalmology, and more.

The Expo—the largest ophthalmic exhibition globally—showcases cutting‑edge technologies, surgical devices, diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals. Networking opportunities, expanded Friday programming, and signature sessions like Spotlight on Cataract round out a meeting designed to help clinicians connect, learn, and advance.