American Academy of Ophthalmology

09/06/2026

One traveled 26 hours to Global Ophthalmology Summit 2026 from the Philippines and came home with an award. Another wasn't sure she belonged, submitted a project anyway, and called it her favorite conference yet.

Five trainees from the Philippines, Guatemala, Chicago, Rochester, and Texas share how they ended up at GOS 2026 in Philadelphia and what they're taking home — from hackathon breakthroughs to a renewe

09/05/2026

Show your Academy pride wherever you go!

Official AAO apparel and accessories, including hoodies, jackets, backpacks and drinkware are now available: https://ow.ly/TrJN50ZJ1gN

**Order by Sept. 8 to receive your items in time for AAO 2026. Shipping is available within the U.S. only.

09/05/2026

A 32-year-old woman with familial vascular leukoencephalopathy underwent retinal evaluation. Genetic testing revealed a heterozygous COL4A1 mutation (p.Gly299Arg). Her mother had a history of cerebral aneurysms and exhibited characteristic second- and third-order retinal arterial tortuosity. Ophthalmoscopy showed a unilateral peripheral vascular lesion with a gliotic appearance (A, arrowhead). Indocyanine green angiography was unremarkable (B). Fluorescein angiography demonstrated marked vascular dragging with telangiectasias (C) and late leakage (D), findings suggestive of retinal hamartoma. Imaging of the fellow eye was normal. Although this finding could be coincidental, an association between COL4A1 mutations and retinal hamartomas has not been reported to our knowledge.

From “Peripheral Retinal Angiopathy Associated with COL4A1 Mutation” by Prithvi Ramtohul, MD, Kevin Mairot, MD, Thierry David, MD, PhD. Published by Ophthalmology Retina online on January 30, 2026.

Read: https://ow.ly/hbtt50ZiRe6

09/05/2026

AI technology is making inroads in glaucoma, cataract, retina, and beyond. Plus, the risks and barriers to broader adoption of AI tools in ophthalmology.

[Academy members] https://ow.ly/nQ4Y50ZHYFm

Eye surgeons who are working to ensure AI’s use in ophthalmology is developed and used responsibly answer 10 top questions about the technology.

09/05/2026

Join the Academy and the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) on September 24 for the 2026 Update in Oculoplastics webinar, exploring oculoplastic "near misses" that can affect planning and outcomes in cataract and other intraocular procedures.

Register today: https://ow.ly/51e050ZGJCF

09/04/2026

Experience the impact at in New Orleans from Oct. 9–12!

No matter your specialty, there are countless opportunities to gain hands-on learning, connect with ophthalmologists from around the world, and bring something back to your practice.

Plus, join us Saturday evening, New Orleans style, at the Illuminate celebration. Make lasting memories and celebrate the ophthalmology community.

Don’t miss your opportunity to save on registration before rates increase on Sept. 10: aao.org/register

09/03/2026

What cardiovascular risk score can offer clues about future eye health?

New Ophthalmology Journal Podcast: Rukhsana Mirza, MD, & Anne L. Coleman, MD, PhD, discuss her study on Pooled Cohort Equations cardiovascular risk scores and the future development of AMD, glaucoma, DR, RVO, and hypertensive retinopathy.

Listen here: https://ow.ly/ljhq50ZGfbC

09/02/2026

Yesterday, the Academy attended the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General's Live Real Life Symposium alongside AAPOS President Dr. Örge.

The event brought together federal officials, health leaders, and advocates to discuss the Surgeon General’s Advisory on the harms of screen use. The Academy’s Public Health Advocacy team participated to learn more about U.S. Department of Health and Human Services priorities related to screen use and children’s health and to identify opportunities for ophthalmology to contribute to future discussions.

09/01/2026

Dr. Abdelsattar Farrag aims to add structure to the plethora of imaging modalities and results available and to prevent “Random Scrolling Syndrome”: Verify (patient information), Indication (why a test was ordered), Scan quality (exclude artifacts), Identify normal (recognize normal anatomy), Observe (describe precisely), Name the diagnosis (synthesize across modalities).

Learn more: https://www.aao.org/education/basic-skills/vision-method-structured-approach-to-multimodal-op

This video introduces a 6-step approach to systematic imaging interpretation: Verify (patient, date, eye, modality), Indication (why this test was ordered), Scan quality (exclude artefact), Identify n

09/01/2026

An OR fire during a blepharoplasty. A globe perforation during a block. Both likely preventable with a brief preoperative conversation. Read the two closed legal claims and the checklist of what to share.

Ophthalmologists often know critical patient risk factors that anesthesia providers don't. Learn why proactive preoperative communication — backed by two closed malpractice claims — is an essential su