Vision Expo 2026 Marks 40 Years With Expanded Education Experience

Produced by RX and The Vision Council, Vision Expo is celebrating its 40th year in 2026 with an enhanced educational conference designed to deliver greater access, flexibility and real-world learning for vision care professionals. 

The first unified annual Vision Expo will take place March 11-14, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando. For the first time, all conference sessions, workshops and show floor education will be located on the same floor and within the same hall, allowing attendees to move seamlessly between education programming and the exhibition floor.

The educational conference will feature more than 220 hours of accredited continuing education, beginning March 11, with the exhibit hall opening March 12. Programming spans optometry, opticianry, allied health and business topics, including disease treatment, practice management, lens innovation, optical technology, digital health and retail solutions.

2026 Education Enhancements

Education at Vision Expo 2026 introduces several updates designed to simplify participation and enhance learning outcomes for doctors, opticians and allied professionals.

Streamlined Registration and Flexible Learning

New for 2026, attendees will select either an 'Unlimited' or 'Single Day' education package during registration. Courses will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with attendees encouraged to arrive early for high-demand sessions. Workshops will have limited capacity, and optometry workshops will require a separate purchase. Education badges will be scanned for course entry, and access to courses requires an Education registration.

Exclusive Hands-On Courses

Vision Expo 2026 will debut 10 exclusive hands-on courses not available at any other optical event. These instructor-led sessions aim to offer practical training with very limited capacity, providing skills that can be applied immediately in clinical and optical practice.

Simplified Continuing Education Reporting

Continuing education reporting has been streamlined across disciplines. ABO–NCLE attendees may enter their certification number during registration, allowing credits to be reported automatically after the event. COPE–ARBO attendees will provide their OE Tracker number at registration and scan a QR code at the conclusion of each approved course to sync credits directly to their OE Tracker account. Official CE Attendance Verification Letters for state board license renewal will be emailed several weeks after the conference.

“With Vision Expo 2026, we are redefining how education is delivered at an industry event,” said April Stackhouse, Event Vice President of Vision Expo. “Guided by the Vision Expo Educational Planning Committee, OptiCon leadership and our advisory committees, this year’s programming was thoughtfully developed to deliver the most relevant optometry, opticianry and business education across a broad range of subjects. Vision Expo helps set every member of the eyecare team up for success.”

Featured Educational Programming

Highlighted optometric sessions include:

• Top 5 Practice Problems & How to Avoid Them (Thursday, March 12, 9:45–10:45 a.m.), presented by Jessilin Quint, OD, FAAO, and Dave Kading, OD

• Dry Eyes & Myopia Management – When Kids Win and Lose (Thursday, March 12, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.), presented by Sheila Morrison, OD, and Shalu Pal, OD

• Putting the OD in AI (Friday, March 13, 2:45–4:45 p.m.), moderated by Scot Morris, OD, with panelists Selina McGee, OD, and Brianna Rhue, OD

OptiCon course highlights include:

• Creating and Presenting Effective Continuing Education for Opticians (Thursday, March 12, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.; encore Friday, March 13, 8:30–9:30 a.m.), presented by Pete Hanlin, ABOM

• Explore the Floor: Technology Edition (Thursday, March 12, 2:30–3:30 p.m.; encore Friday, March 13, 9:45–10:45 a.m.), presented by Cira Collins, MPH, ABOM, NCLEC, LDO

• The Ins and Outs of Advanced Scleral Fitting (Friday, March 13, 3:45–4:45 p.m.; encore Saturday, March 14, 8:30–9:30 a.m.), presented by Nicole Edwards, NCLE-AC

Expanded Programs and Specialized Learning

Additional educational offerings include the Myopia Control Program, Low Vision education, the New Technology Showcase, hands-on workshops, Vision Series sessions held over breakfast and lunch, and all-new one-hour Summits designed to address the most pressing challenges in eye care.

For more information on educational courses and packages for Vision Expo 2026, visit the Vision Expo website.

Originally published online on Eyewire+.