Connecting Vision Research and Advocacy at AAO 2026

Alliance for Vision Research was proud to join the ophthalmology community in New Orleans for AAO 2026, connecting with researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, advocates, and partners from across the vision community.

Throughout the meeting, our team welcomed attendees at Booth 4819 to learn more about our work to protect and advance federal investment in vision research, our growing advocacy efforts, and #SeeWhatMatters.

AAO also provided an important opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships and begin new conversations about how we can work together in 2027 and beyond. With federal research funding and policy facing continued uncertainty, bringing together voices from across the vision community has never been more important.

From Combat to Clinic

A highlight of the meeting was Alliance for Vision Research Executive Director Dan Ignaszewski’s participation in “From Combat to Clinic: Veterans Health Administration and Department of Defense Research Driving the Future of Patient Care.”

The session highlighted the important role federal research programs serving Service Members and Veterans can play in driving discoveries with applications far beyond the military community.

That connection is particularly important to Alliance for Vision Research as we continue advocating for the Department of Defense Vision Research Program, alongside strong federal investment in NIH and the National Eye Institute. Our work is focused on ensuring that the research ecosystem supporting discovery and innovation remains strong and that policymakers understand how those investments ultimately translate into better care for patients.

Building Partnerships Across the Vision Community

Some of the most valuable moments at AAO happened outside the formal sessions.

Over four days, we had the opportunity to reconnect with longtime partners, meet new leaders from across ophthalmology and industry, and discuss opportunities to collaborate on advocacy, education, awareness, Congressional Briefings, and other initiatives in the year ahead.

Those conversations are critical to our mission. Alliance for Vision Research works to unite researchers, patients, clinicians, industry, and policymakers around a shared goal: ensuring vision research remains a national priority.

AAO gave us another opportunity to listen to what matters most to members of the vision community while sharing what is happening in Washington and why engagement from researchers, clinicians, companies, and advocates is so important.

Helping More People #SeeWhatMatters

We were also excited to continue introducing the vision community to #SeeWhatMatters and encouraging attendees and organizations to use and share the campaign.

#SeeWhatMatters is about making the impact of vision loss and the value of vision research understandable and personal. AAO provided the perfect setting to continue that conversation with people who see firsthand every day what research and innovation can mean for patients.

As we look toward 2027, the relationships and conversations that began or continued in New Orleans will help strengthen our collective voice at a time when vision research needs it.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, attended Dan’s session, talked advocacy with us, shared ideas, explored opportunities to partner, or simply took a few minutes to say hello.

We left New Orleans energized by what this community can accomplish together and even more committed to ensuring policymakers and the public #SeeWhatMatters.