Thinking of attending an optometry conference (or two or three) this year? It’s professional development; it’s networking; it’s CE; it’s staying on top of all the latest advancements and best practices in optometry.
But travel requires planning, so let’s take a look at what 2025 has in store for us. Here are the in-person optometry conferences and events on our radar.
JANUARY 2025
Island Eyes Conference 2025
Dates: January 12 – 18, 2025
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Hosted by Pacific University, this conference offers up to 30 COPE-accredited hours of continuing education, featuring renowned educators and a half-day schedule to allow attendees to enjoy Maui’s attractions.
The Vision Council 2025 Executive Summit
Dates: January 22 – 24, 2025
Location: Santa Barbara, California
A posh event that brings together industry leaders for several days of high-level networking and leadership development. Designed to shed light on the evolving landscape of the vision industry, this one features a robust schedule of interactive panels, expert presentations, and keynote addresses.
Global Specialty Lens Symposium (GSLS) 2025
Dates: January 22 – 25, 2025
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
GSLS focuses on the latest innovations in specialty contact lenses, including scleral lenses, ortho-K, and myopia management. Attendees can benefit from workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with global experts.
Eyeball Palm Springs 2025
Date: January 25, 2025
Location: Palm Springs, California
Here’s a chic, curated event combining eyewear fashion, creativity, and continuing education. Brett Cates, co-creator, is “deeply passionate about independent eyewear and the rejection of corporate influence in both art and eyewear.”
FEBRUARY 2025
MIDO Eyewear Show 2025
Dates: February 8 – 10, 2025
Location: Milan, Italy
MIDO is one of the world’s largest international eyewear trade shows, featuring over 1,200 exhibitors and attendees from more than 160 countries. You can expect to see the latest eyewear collections, technological innovations, and industry trends.
EnVision Summit 2025
Dates: February 14 – 17, 2025
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico
This summit is intentionally family-friendly and offers continuing education in ophthalmology and optometry, featuring clinical discussions, mentoring, and research collaborations.
Vision Expo East 2025
Dates: February 19 – 22, 2025
Location: Orlando, Florida
Where eyewear, education, fashion, and innovation mingle. Join eyecare professionals, buyers, influencers, and technology leaders in Orlando (the conference moved from NY to FL this year!). Tip: Also consider the 2025 VM Leadership Summit happening in Orlando on 2/19.
SECO 2025
Dates: February 26 – March 2, 2025
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
SECO 2025 is a premier event for optometry professionals, offering cutting-edge education, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities with industry leaders from around the world.
MARCH 2025
The Frame Affair 2025
Dates: March 13 – 15, 2025
Location: New York City, New York
Curated as “a luxury art gallery,” this eyewear show creates a space where independent designers and visionary artisans converge to showcase the finest in eyewear craftsmanship. Think immersive brand storytelling, upscale cuisine and drinks, and a luxury fashion show.
EYECON 2025
Dates: March 14 – 16, 2025
Location: New York City, New York
EYECON is another luxury eyewear show in NYC this week. Exclusive product launches, trend insights, creative exhibitions, and engaging panel discussions will explore innovations shaping the eyewear industry.
JUNE 2025
International Congress of Scleral Contacts (ICSC) 2025
Dates: June 20 – 21, 2025
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
ICSC 2025 offers interactive panels, hands-on workshops, and educational tracks tailored for both experienced and new scleral lens practitioners. Global experts share insights on emerging trends, challenges, and advanced clinical practices related to scleral lenses.
Optometry’s Meeting® 2025 & 5th World Congress of Optometry
Dates: June 25 – 28, 2025
Location: Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
The 128th Annual AOA Congress and 57th Annual AOSA Conference will host the 5th World Congress of Optometry, focusing on advancing universal access to high-quality eye health and vision care. Find all manner of CE, collaboration and strategic partnership opportunities, plus practice solutions, business services, and resources.
JULY 2025
CE in the Rockies
Dates: July 17 – 20, 2025
Location: Estes Park, Colorado
Join the University of Houston College of Optometry for an unforgettable continuing education conference with a view. Earn essential CE credits while immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains. This unique experience blends professional growth with personal renewal.
2025 NOA National Convention
Dates: July 17 – 20, 2025
Location: Columbus, Ohio
A continuing priority of the National Optometric Association is the promotion of greater cultural diversity within the schools and colleges of optometry. Recent NOA efforts have focused on the Association’s desire to better educate those populations who are at higher risk of developing sight-threatening conditions like glaucoma and diabetic eye disease — specifically urban, rural, and minority populations with poor access to eye health care. This annual event incorporates all of the above!
AUGUST 2025
CE Charleston
Dates: August 8 – 10, 2025
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
While outstanding clinical education is important, Optometric Education Consultants also feels that the experience is equally important. They design conferences to allow attendees flexibility in getting outstanding clinical continuing education (16 hours in three days) and the opportunity to enjoy the facilities and surrounding area.
AACO Annual Conference
Dates: August 22 – 23, 2025
Location: Savannah, Georgia
The American Association of Corporate Optometrists will host two days filled with 16 hours of CE (including GA & FL jurisprudence), networking with corporate optometrists just like you, and 22+ exhibitors.
Canadian Rockies CE
Dates: August 31 – September 7, 2025
Location: Banff and Lake Louise
Discover the majestic natural setting while ensconced in luxury at Fairmont Banff Springs. Tropical CE offers destination education administered under the auspices of the Rosenberg School of Optometry, University of the Incarnate Word. The University reviews and endorses all course materials, speakers, and presentations.
SEPTEMBER 2025
Vision Expo West 2025
Dates: September 17 – 20, 2025
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Like it’s eastern counterpart, Vision Expo West is a top event for ophthalmic professionals, combining education, fashion, and innovation. The conference offers accredited education sessions, and the exhibition hall showcases the latest in eyewear and optical technology.
2025 NORA Conference
Dates: September 18 – 21, 2025
Location: Denver, Colorado
The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, International (NORA) Annual Conference is the premier event for neurorehabilitation professionals committed to improving the lives of individuals affected by traumatic brain injury and other neurological conditions. The 2025 theme, “Bridging Neuroscience and Clinical Vision Rehabilitation,” emphasizes the integration of cutting-edge neuroscience with practical, team-based clinical approaches to visual recovery.
8th International Eye and Vision Congress
Dates: September 22– 23, 2025
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
The 8th International Eye and Vision Congress aims to unite academic institutions and clinical research centers in a collaborative environment to exchange innovative ideas, foster partnerships, and evaluate emerging advancements in the field of eye and vision care worldwide.
EyeCon 2025
Dates: September 26 – 27, 2025
Location: Hollywood, Florida
At this premier eye care summit for optometrists and ophthalmologists, you’ll find top-notch faculty with key insights into the latest diagnostic strategies and clinical trial evidence for the treatment of corneal diseases, glaucoma, myopia, ocular oncology, ocular trauma, retinal diseases, uveitis and more. Explore a variety of hands-on workshops and networking opportunities with the EyeCon faculty and your peers.
SILMO PARIS
Dates: September 26 – 29, 2025
Location: Paris, France
If you’re looking for an excuse to get to Europe, this annual trade show takes place at the exhibition Center Paris Nord Villepinte and welcomes professionals of the optical and eyewear sector (opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, manufacturers…).
AOA on Capitol Hill 2025
Dates: September 28 – 30, 2025
Location: Washington, D.C.
The American Optometric Association’s annual advocacy event, where optometrists and students meet with lawmakers to discuss critical issues affecting optometry and eye care. This event includes advocacy training, legislative briefings, and opportunities to make a direct impact on policy. Note the new September date.
OCTOBER 2025
Academy 2025 Boston
Dates: October 8 – 11, 2025
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Hosted by the American Academy of Optometry, this major annual conference brings together optometrists, vision scientists, and students for comprehensive continuing education and the latest research in optometry.
Note: The Optometric Glaucoma Society Annual Meeting coincides with Academy 2025, taking place on October 7.
Vision By Design 2025
Dates: October 22 – 25, 2025
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Hosted by the American Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (AAOMC), this conference focuses on orthokeratology, myopia control, and specialty contact lenses. You can engage in lectures, workshops, and networking opportunities designed for both experienced practitioners and those new to the field.
Music City Fall Classic
Dates: October 24 – 26, 2025
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
The continuing education conference is hosted by Optometric Education Consultants and offers up to 22 hours of COPE-approved learning. It features expert-led sessions, interactive networking opportunities, and engagement with leading industry exhibitors.
NOVEMBER 2025
EastWest Eye Conference
Dates: November 5 – 8, 2025
Location: Columbus, Ohio
The leading optometry event in the Midwest, offering 100 hours of continuing education (max of 24 hours per OD). Organized by the Ohio Optometric Association, the conference features expert-led sessions, hands-on workshops, an exhibit hall with the latest industry innovations, and networking opportunities with peers and industry leaders.
MOD Live 2025
Dates: November 7 – 9, 2025
Location: Austin, Texas
Presented by Modern Optometry, this event focuses on the evolving field of medical eye care, offering insights and education for optometrists adapting to new clinical practices.
Ocular Surface Symposium
Date: November 8, 2025
Location: New York City
This comprehensive one-day event provides ODs with a deep dive into ocular surface disease with an emphasis on dry eye, MGD, and blepharitis. Experts will share the latest data, research, and current treatment strategies. This program stemmed from the success of the New Technologies and Treatments in Eye Care conferences series, a long-running and trusted program.
Optometric Management Symposium
Dates: November 13 – 16, 2025
Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
OMS 2025 is headed back to Disney (Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club, to be exact). At this premier event for clinical, business, and retail management education, you’ll earn CE credits, network with peers, and gain insights that you can bring back to your practice.
