AAO | American Academy of Ophthalmology 2026
Event Date
October 9–12, 2026
Location
New Orleans, LA
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryAAO is the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. AAO 2026 will take place in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The meeting brings together ophthalmologists, physicians in training, medical students, practice administrators and allied clinical team members from around the globe for continuing medical education, scientific exchange and networking.
The program spans clinical sessions, original paper presentations, instruction courses, Skills Transfer labs, posters and videos, alongside the AAOE Practice Management Program and the AAOP Clinical Teams Program. Reasons to attend include unparalleled networking, world-class hands-on labs and Skills Transfer courses, global experts on stage, the latest technology at the largest ophthalmology Expo, and CME opportunities.
Attendees can earn CME credit for both in-person and virtual participation, explore the profession's largest exhibition of ophthalmic technology, and choose from specialized Subspecialty Day meetings covering fields such as glaucoma, retina, cornea and pediatric ophthalmology. It is a must-attend event for anyone in the eye care field seeking education, innovation and professional connection.
Show Highlights
- Expanded Friday programming: A new symposium on the transformative potential of digital technology in ophthalmology education, Podium Poster presentations at the Poster Theater, and Poster Panel Discussions.
- Marquee speakers: Global experts on stage including Janet L. Davis, MD and Robert Wachter, MD.
- Signature lecture: Choose among 7 Skills Transfer labs, 39 courses, 3 original paper sessions, and 9 symposiums, including the Spotlight on Cataract, which concludes with the Charles D. Kelman Lecture given by Nicole R. Fram, MD.
- Subspecialty Day: Dedicated Friday and Saturday meetings in glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology, refractive surgery, retina, uveitis, cornea and oculofacial plastic surgery.
- Illuminate: The must-attend networking and fundraising event that takes place on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Registration
Register directly with the Academy at aao.org; both in-person and virtual options are offered. In-person registration includes instruction courses, clinical sessions and original papers, Skills Transfer lectures, the AAOE Practice Management Program, the AAOP Clinical Teams Program, videos and posters, the Expo, and AAO 2026 Virtual content. Separate registration is required for Subspecialty Day meetings and half-day Coding Sessions, and tickets for Skills Transfer labs and Illuminate are purchased separately.
Key deadlines:
- Aug. 5: Early registration fee deadline. Fees increase Aug. 6.
- Sept. 9: Advance pricing fee deadline. Fees increase Sept. 10.
Sample fees for the AAO 2026 in-person or virtual meeting: $225 early, $250 advance, and $275 onsite for Academy Members. Nonmember physicians pay $1,100 early, $1,150 advance, and $1,200 onsite. Registration is free to members of the media. For groups of 10 or more, contact groupreg@aao.org.
Venue & Travel
Venue
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Blvd.
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center sits on the banks of the Mississippi River near the French Quarter and Arts District. In addition to the 1.1 million sq. ft. of exhibition space and 140 meeting rooms, The Great Hall offers a 60,300 sq. ft. divisible, column-free ballroom. Its 1.1 million square feet of exhibit space can be divided into 12 halls.
It is one of the nation's largest and busiest facilities — with its 1.1 million square feet of space in one hall, it has the largest single exhibit space in the U.S., and has become one of the Top 10 hosts for conventions and trade shows in the country since it opened in 1985. Additional spaces include the 4,032-seat New Orleans Theater, the 36,000-sq-ft La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom, and the Great Hall's rooftop terrace. High-density Wi-Fi is capable of serving 20,000 users simultaneously. The center is currently undergoing a multi-year, roughly $557 million modernization of roofing, technology, lobbies and a new linear park.
Parking
The Convention Center owns and operates multiple parking lots on the south end of the building, across from Halls H, I, and J. The daily rate is approximately $23.00 per vehicle and $42.00 per oversized vehicle, with no in-and-out privileges. The venue is cashless, and parking fees are paid through the ParkMobile app. Ample ADA parking is available; overnight parking is prohibited. Several privately operated lots and garages are also located within a short walk along Convention Center Boulevard and nearby streets.
Getting There
The nearest airport is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). The Louis Armstrong International Airport is 13 miles from the MCC. Taxis, rideshare and airport shuttle service connect the airport to downtown hotels.
Public transit stops directly at the venue: the W-2, W-3, and W-8 buses stop directly in front of the convention center, as does the Riverfront Streetcar Line (Route 2). The center's walkable riverfront location also makes it easy to reach the French Quarter and Warehouse District on foot.
Nearby Hotels
The convention center is within walking distance of thousands of hotel rooms in the Warehouse/Arts District and toward the French Quarter. The MCC is within walking distance of thousands of hotel rooms in and around the French Quarter and Arts District. Options steps from the venue include:
- Hyatt Place New Orleans Convention Center — across the street from the venue, offering business-class amenities.
- Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Convention Center — directly across the street from the convention center on Convention Center Boulevard.
ASSP also arranges a discounted hotel block for attendees, bookable through the official conference housing portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is AAO 2026 taking place?
AAO 2026, the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting, takes place October 9-12, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center at 900 Convention Center Blvd.
Who should attend AAO 2026?
The meeting is designed for ophthalmologists, physicians in training, medical students, practice administrators and allied clinical team members. Only optometrists who are members of the American Academy of Optometry and selected for presentation may attend, and optometrists may not attend Subspecialty Day.
How do I register and what does it cost?
Register directly with the Academy at aao.org for in-person or virtual attendance. Academy member fees start at $225 early registration, while nonmember physicians start at $1,100; early registration ends Aug. 5 and advance pricing ends Sept. 9 before fees increase.
What is included in my meeting registration?
In-person registration includes instruction courses, clinical sessions and original papers, Skills Transfer lectures, the AAOE Practice Management Program, the AAOP Clinical Teams Program, videos and posters, the Expo, and AAO 2026 Virtual content. Subspecialty Day meetings, Coding Sessions, Skills Transfer labs and the Illuminate event require separate tickets.
How do I get to the venue and where can I park?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) serves the city, and public buses plus the Riverfront Streetcar Line (Route 2) stop in front of the convention center. Ample paid daily parking is available at 400 Calliope Street, though overnight parking is prohibited.
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