The AAO 2025 Annual Meeting in Orlando lived up to its “Imagine” theme, uniting thousands of eye care professionals from around the world for three days of cutting-edge education, innovation, and networking. In this recap, we highlight the most popular sessions and key takeaways, the impressive attendance and energetic social events (from Illuminate to an exclusive night at Universal), and how Virtual Field captured the excitement of every tech-loving, time-strapped attendee with the launch of DICOM 360 Sync. Read on for all the post-conference highlights and insights from ophthalmology’s premier event.
Record Attendance and Global Participation
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2025 Annual Meeting, themed “Imagine,” drew a vibrant international crowd to Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center from October 17–20, 2025. In total, well over fifteen thousand attendees converged in the City Beautiful, including more than 10,000 ophthalmologists and vision scientists from around the world. This makes AAO’s annual meeting the largest gathering in ophthalmology and maintains its reputation as a premier global forum showcasing the latest advances in eye care.
Attendees ranged from renowned surgeons and clinical researchers to ophthalmologists, trainees, practice administrators, and industry professionals, truly representing the full spectrum of the eye care community. The atmosphere was electric and collaborative, with hallways abuzz in dozens of languages, all united by a shared passion for innovation in vision health.
Educational Highlights: Top Sessions and Big Takeaways
AAO 2025 delivered an overflowing agenda of educational opportunities, ensuring something for everyone. Subspecialty Day on October 17 kicked things off with focused programs in glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, ocular oncology, refractive surgery, retina, cornea, oculoplastics, and more, setting the stage for a weekend of shared learning. Once the main meeting opened, attendees could choose from hundreds of sessions, including hands-on Skills Transfer labs and interactive case discussions, as well as symposia, scientific paper presentations, and rapid “podium poster” talks.
Among the standout sessions were the prestigious named lectures that drew large audiences. For example, the Dr. Allan Jensen & Claire Jensen Lecture on opening day explored “Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and the Future of Ophthalmology,” a timely assessment of how AI is transforming eye care.
Another highlight was the Jackson Memorial Lecture, where experts discussed using genetic data for glaucoma screening and risk stratification —a cutting-edge topic that resonated with attendees. In fact, themes of AI and big data in ophthalmology appeared throughout the meeting, underscoring their growing impact on clinical practice.
Attendees also packed sessions like “Compassionate Vision: A Candid Conversation on Mental Health in Ophthalmology,” reflecting an increasing interest in provider well-being, and a Young Ophthalmologists (YO) symposium on the future of solo practice, which offered practical insights for early-career docs. From groundbreaking research to practice management pearls, AAO 2025’s educational program truly offered comprehensive insights and perspectives, and many talks were standing-room-only.
Notably, the conference wasn’t just about theory. It also delivered major news and research updates that had people talking. On the philanthropy front, AAO announced a $1.5 million donation to expand the EyeCare America program to patients as young as 18, marking the most significant expansion in the program’s 40-year history.
In the research realm, one high-profile study examined whether cataract surgery affects the progression of age-related macular degeneration. Using seven-year patient data from the AAO’s IRIS Registry, researchers reported conflicting findings, highlighting that the effect may vary case by case and urging individualized management for patients with AMD who need cataract surgery.
Clinical trials and new treatments were also front and center: retina specialists discussed promising results from the GALE extension study of pegcetacoplan for geographic atrophy, offering hope for patients with advanced dry AMD. And in cataract care, experts like Dr. John Berdahl shared advanced intraocular lens options for complex cases (e.g., pseudoexfoliation patients) to improve long-term outcomes. Whether it was the latest gene therapy, a novel drug, a surgical technique, or a public health initiative, AAO 2025 delivered plenty of novel research. Attendees left inspired and armed with practical knowledge to implement back home.
Expo Hall Buzz and Virtual Field at Booth 1261
As always, the Expo Hall was a major attraction, showcasing the state-of-the-art in ophthalmic devices, pharmaceuticals, and tech. The expansive exhibit hall housed hundreds of booths where companies demonstrated everything from surgical robots and lasers to diagnostic AI tools and practice management software. It was truly a glimpse into the future of eye care, as an attendee could get hands-on with a new OCT, then wander over to see the latest in gene therapy research.
According to AAO, the exhibit hall featured cutting-edge diagnostic systems, novel therapeutics, and even AI-driven platforms for eye care. Traffic on the expo floor was steady and enthusiastic throughout the meeting, with clinicians and industry mingling in a shared excitement for innovation.
Virtual Field was thrilled to be part of this energy. Located at booth #1261, our team had a constant stream of visitors during the expo. In fact, we connected with ophthalmologists, practice managers, and technicians who stopped by to experience virtual reality visual field testing firsthand.
Attendees could demo our latest VF3 Pro headset, many trying a VR visual field test for the very first time, and see how intuitive and portable modern perimetry can be. We also gave attendees an exclusive first look at DICOM 360 Sync, our newly launched interoperability feature.
DICOM 360 Sync Debuts – Instant, Error-Free Connectivity
The 2025 AAO meeting was extra special for Virtual Field because it marked the official launch of DICOM 360 Sync. We announced DICOM 360 Sync just ahead of the conference, and AAO Imagine was the perfect place to unveil it live to the ophthalmology community. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. “This is a game-changer!” was a phrase we heard more than once from impressed doctors after they learned that DICOM 360 Sync transforms exam workflows into a fully connected, zero-touch experience — from patient setup to report sync to record attachment. Designed for eye care clinics that demand speed, accuracy, and effortless interoperability, the suite eliminates wasted time, reduces human error, and elevates patient care.
This next-generation connectivity hub brings something truly groundbreaking to eye clinics – instant, automatic, error-free interoperability from visual field exam to EHR. In simpler terms, DICOM 360 Sync links our VR visual field device with electronic medical records in real time, with zero manual steps. It can pull patient orders from the EMR, set up the test with no typing, then automatically push the finalized visual field report back into the patient’s chart the moment the exam is done. Every test result is attached to the correct patient record without fail, eliminating the risk of misfiled PDFs or data entry errors. The result is a zero-click workflow for busy practices: technicians can focus on patient care, doctors get immediate access to results, and no one has to spend time uploading or cross-checking files.
Why is this such a big deal? As many AAO attendees told us, clinics have been struggling for years with clunky manual processes to get diagnostic results into their EHRs.
“For too long, providers have been bogged down by manual uploads and fragmented workflows,” noted Jeremy Barlow, CEO of Virtual Field, in our launch announcement. “Connectivity shouldn’t be a luxury. Eye care clinics deserve technology that just works — instantly, securely, and without excessive costs. With DICOM 360 Sync, we’re giving our customers automation that competitors charge extra for, and setting a new bar for what eye care technology should deliver — instant, automatic, and error-free performance that practices can rely on every day.”
DICOM 360 Sync is available at no extra charge to all Virtual Field Pro users—a bold move that reflects our commitment to making connectivity a core part of the product, not a premium upsell.
The response to DICOM 360 Sync at AAO Imagine was outstanding. Many clinicians simply couldn’t believe that true plug-and-play integration was finally here—and included with the device, no less. We heard remarks like, “This will save us so much time,” and “No more manual uploads? Sign me up!” It was validating to see how directly DICOM 360 Sync addresses the pain points ophthalmologists have voiced for years.
This launch also solidified Virtual Field’s reputation as an innovator in eye care tech. (To date, over 4 million visual field exams have been run on the Virtual Field platform – over 1 million in the last six months alone – underscoring how rapidly practices are embracing our technology). DICOM 360 Sync is the latest milestone in our mission to streamline eye exams, and based on the excitement at AAO 2025, it’s poised to make a massive impact in clinics worldwide.
After-Hours Networking and Orlando Social Events
Of course, no AAO annual meeting is all work and no play. AAO 2025 Imagine had a strong social side, with plentiful opportunities for attendees to network, relax, and have a little fun after the daytime sessions. On Saturday evening, the Academy hosted a new event, Illuminate — a high-energy networking and fundraising reception held at Pointe Orlando. It was a block party for ophthalmology: attendees mingled under the stars with live music, drinks, and food, all while supporting a good cause, as the event raised funds for ophthalmic programs and outreach.
The vibe at Illuminate was festive and collegial, as eye surgeons and their families got a chance to connect outside the lecture halls. Meanwhile, on Sunday night, AAO offered an exclusive outing to Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park. Select areas of the park were opened just for AAO meeting attendees.
Virtual Field added to the social calendar as well with our own special event: “The Future Is Now” DICOM 360 Sync Launch Party. Held on Saturday, October 18 at the trendy 3NINE lounge at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, just a short skybridge walk from the convention center, this invite-only bash brought together forward-thinking ophthalmologists and practice leaders to celebrate our big launch.
If you joined us, you know how fun it was – and if not, here’s what you missed: a futuristic theme with neon lights and LED décor, signature “futuristic” cocktails, delicious bites, and live music that kept the energy high. Guests enjoyed an interactive LED photobooth and snagged VIP swag bags upon arrival. And when we say swag, we don’t mean your typical pens and stress balls; we went big with goodies like Apple AirTags, YETI tumblers, and other quality gear to thank our early supporters.
Throughout the night, attendees networked with peers and the Virtual Field team – many shared great ideas and candid insights on implementing DICOM 360 Sync over cocktails. We also spiced up the evening with a cash giveaway, raffling off prizes to lucky winners. Click below to watch the party recap video.
The party was an absolute success and captured the spirit of AAO Imagine: innovation, neset uprking, and a foooking mindset, We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone whoto attended “The Future Is Now” event. Your enthusiasm and feedback mean the world to us, and we’re glad we could celebrate this launch together in style.
Looking Ahead
As the curtain fell on AAO 2025, there was a unanimous feeling that this year’s meeting had truly delivered on its promise. Attendees left Orlando with new knowledge, new connections, and renewed inspiration to “imagine” better care for patients. For Virtual Field, it was an honor to be part of this incredible event from the scientific sessions to the expo and after-parties and to share how our innovations like DICOM 360 Sync are helping shape the future of ophthalmology. I
f we didn’t get a chance to meet you at AAO, please know our team is always available for a one-on-one demo or consultation (you can contact us anytime or request a virtual demo on our website). We love continuing the conversation beyond the conference.
Looking ahead, we’re already excited for AAO 2026 in New Orleans next year – another opportunity to push boundaries and connect with this amazing community of eye care professionals. But until then, we’ll be hard at work implementing all the great insights we gained at AAO 2025 and, of course, supporting our customers as they embrace the instant interoperability of DICOM 360 Sync in their practices.
Thank you to AAO and to everyone who made “Imagine 2025” such a memorable meeting. The future of ophthalmology is bright, and we’re thrilled to be on this journey with all of you.
See you at the next conference! 👁️👋
About Virtual Field
Virtual Field delivers an exceptional eye exam experience. Eye care professionals including ophthalmologists and optometrists examine patients faster, more efficiently, and more comfortably than ever before. Exams include Visual Field, 24-2, Kinetic Visual Field (Goldmann Perimetry), Ptosis, Esterman, Color Vision, Pupillometry, Extraocular Motility (EOM), and more.
