2026 midyear eye care conference review: Key clinical takeaways

2026 conference recap: EnVision Summit, SECO, Vision Expo, ARVO, and AOA

The first half of 2026 brought a packed slate of optometric meetings, each spotlighting where the field is heading next. Glaucoma care saw renewed momentum behind earlier intervention and collaborative models, while dry eye discussions pointed to a fast-expanding therapeutic pipeline. Myopia control research delivered some of the year's most striking data, and sessions on contact lenses and retinal disease underscored how much patient evaluation continues to evolve. Below is a chronological recap of key sessions from EnVision Summit, SECO, Vision Expo, ARVO, and AOA's Optometry's Meeting.

EnVision Summit (February 13-16 – Río Grande, Puerto Rico)

For the glaucoma track, Pathik P. Amin, OD, FAAO, detailed an educational track session on glaucoma management, covering optimized non-surgical care, interventional options such as iDose and SLT, access and capacity constraints in field testing, and the case for MD-OD collaborative care models to meet rising patient demand. In dry eye,Rahul S. Tonk, MD, MBA, discussed emerging dry eye therapies, highlighting updated TFOS DEWS III screening tools, TRPM8 receptor agonists, Miebo, and the promise of upcoming options like reproxalap and biologic serum tears. For uveitis treatment, Julia Pulliam, OD, shared how academic medical center resources and close collaboration with rheumatology, pulmonology, and dermatology colleagues support more efficient management of uveitis, including the growing role of immunosuppressive therapies like Humira in reducing flare-ups.

Watch another overview of conference coverage here.

SECO (February 25-March 1 – Atlanta, Georgia)

In contact lenses, John Womack, OD, presented real-world data on a kalifilcon A daily disposable toric lens (INFUSE for Astigmatism, Bausch + Lomb), finding strong orientation and comfort outcomes among new contact lens wearers across a diverse patient population. For glaucoma, Nate Lighthizer, OD, FAAO, reviewed the evolving role of selective laser trabeculoplasty in glaucoma care, noting that trial data now support SLT as first-line therapy rather than a treatment reserved for after medications fail. Lastly, Mile Brujic, OD, FAAO, shared a 12-office retrospective chart review of real-world lifitegrast use for dry eye disease, reporting high clinician satisfaction and meaningful symptom resolution within 1 to 3 months for most patients.

For more SECO coverage, click here.

Vision Expo (March 11-14 – Orlando, Florida)

In myopia, Sheila Morrison, OD, MS, discussed behavioral and preventive strategies for pediatric dry eye and myopia, emphasizing that children often underreport ocular surface symptoms and that consistent screening at every visit is critical to catching issues early. For contact lenses, Mark Schaeffer, OD, FAAO, and Andrew Bruce, LDO, addressed advanced clinical evaluation and risk management considerations for contact lens fitting, underscoring the importance of thorough patient assessment beyond routine prescription checks. In retina, Mary Beth Yackey, OD, outlined how management of AMD and diabetic retinopathy has evolved, urging optometrists to refer dry AMD earlier given new geographic atrophy therapies and to sharpen diabetic retinal care as treatment options expand.

Watch another overview of conference coverage here.

ARVO (May 3-7 – Denver, Colorado)

HOYA Vision Care and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University presented 12-month data showing MiYOSMART iQ spectacle lenses halted myopia progression in 9 of 10 children, with efficacy demonstrated for the first time in children as young as 4 years. SightGlass Vision shared 24-month CATHAY study results showing its DOT spectacle lenses reduced myopia progression by 67% and axial elongation by 62% compared with controls in Chinese children. Additionally, Regina Morales-Reyes presented a 10-year comparison showing contact lens use tripled among university students between 2015 and 2025, with notably higher uptake among female students.

For more ARVO coverage, click here.

AOA Optometry's Meeting (June 17-20 – Phoenix, Arizona)

Jacqueline Theis, OD, FAAO, walked clinicians through critical appraisal of research, including how to interpret statistical versus clinical significance and the real meaning of FDA terms like registered, cleared, and approved. In the retina track, Raman Bhakhri, OD, FAAO, reviewed key retinal OCT biomarkers for diabetes and AMD, including disorganization of the inner retinal layers, hyperreflective foci, and reticular pseudodrusen, as tools for earlier diagnosis and treatment decisions. For myopia, Langis Michaud, OD, MSc, FAAO, addressed challenging pediatric myopia cases, stressing individualized treatment, real-world adherence checks, and the need for long-term evaluation given how environmental factors like climate can complicate standard management recommendations.

For more AOA coverage, click here.