ARVO Events Calendar

The current global environment has myriad impacts on ophthalmology, such as effects on ophthalmic research funding, regulatory issues, travel visas for researchers and trainees, prescription drug pricing (e.g., most-favored-nation policy), global research and teaching collaborations, ophthalmic biomed and medtech innovation, ophthalmology education, and patient care. In this webinar, impacts and ethical challenges presented by the current global environment with respect to ophthalmology will be discussed.

During this virtual event, join leading experts and fellow researchers from around the world for a dynamic professional development conference designed to spark new ideas, expand your networking skills, and strengthen your career. Through interactive sessions, practical workshops, and engaging discussions, you’ll gain actionable insights, connect with peers and leave inspired to take your career to the next level.

Advocacy for vision research is essential to securing funding and advancing progress, yet many researchers have little experience in this critical area. This webinar will highlight effective advocacy strategies from around the world, with speakers sharing hands-on experiences in launching and sustaining successful campaigns, even in difficult political or social climates. Attendees will gain practical insights into how these efforts were accomplished, obstacles that had to be overcome, and the resources available to help initiate advocacy programs of their own. This session will also empower vision researchers to take a more active role in championing research support globally.

Join your colleagues at ARVO 2026 to learn from top eye and vision researchers from around the world, network with your peers, and access the latest research on the cutting edge of vision science at the largest gathering in the field.

Innovations in experimental design to minimize animal use in vision research will highlight recent advancements that support the three Rs of animal research — Refining, Replacing, and Reducing animal use — while maintaining scientific rigor in vision science and ophthalmology. This workshop will showcase innovative tools, model systems, and experimental approaches that either reduce reliance on animal models or optimize their use. Speakers will address the growing ethical, policy, and scientific pressures driving these changes, and provide practical insights into how researchers can integrate these methods into their own work. Attendees will gain the knowledge needed to evaluate new approaches, overcome barriers to implementation, and ultimately advance research while promoting improved ethical practices.

Bridging the gap: How to build successful academic-industry collaborations will explore how vision science researchers can effectively translate groundbreaking discoveries into real-world impact through stronger partnerships with industry. This session will address the disconnect between academic innovation and commercialization by highlighting best practices in technology transfer, intellectual property management, and aligning research with industry needs. A diverse panel of experts — including academic collaborators, industry scientists, technology transfer professionals, and early-career researchers who have transitioned into industry — will share strategies, case studies, and mentorship insights. Attendees will gain practical knowledge and actionable skills to initiate collaborations, navigate cross-sector challenges, and contribute to building an innovation ecosystem that accelerates the development of new treatments and technologies for patients.