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Welcome Message from APAO President
Issue 2 -
June 2025
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Dear Colleagues and
Friends from Around the World,

With great enthusiasm, I
welcome you to the 41st Asia-Pacific Academy
of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress, taking place in the
cosmopolitan city of Hong Kong, China, from February 5
to 8, 2026.
Each year, our congress
gathers thousands of ophthalmologists and visual
scientists from across the Asia-Pacific and beyond. It
has become an increasingly prominent event in our field,
as the growth of APAO in recent years has made us larger
and stronger than ever. Since its inception in 1960, the
academy has expanded to encompass 27 national and
territorial societies plus 12 subspecialty societies,
representing approximately 120,000 eye doctors — a
remarkable 59% of the global ophthalmology community.
Leveraging this collective strength, our annual congress
offers you an unparalleled opportunity to meet your
international peers, share knowledge, and build
friendships.
Through the pooling of
expertise, research and innovation, we strive to push
the boundaries of ophthalmology, continuously improving
patient outcomes and making a lasting impact worldwide.
I extend my utmost gratitude to our local hosts and
everyone involved in the organization of this congress,
whose hard work and commitment are making this
meaningful exchange possible. Their tireless efforts
ensure a rewarding experience for all delegates,
fostering collaboration, education, and discovery.
Equally important, your active participation and
contributions are crucial to the success of this event,
as they will inspire fresh perspectives and spark the
next wave of breakthroughs in our profession. 
Building on the solid
foundation of our previous
congresses,
I am confident that this
meeting in Hong Kong
will scale new heights.
Let us
come together to shape the
future of ophthalmology and strengthen our global
vision!
With best regards,
Tetsuro OSHIKA
President
Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology |
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Our dedicated team from
Hong Kong is getting ready to create an unforgettable
congress experience for delegates from all over the
world. Check out their faces on the
Organizing Committee
website and say hello when you see them at APAO 2026! |
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Proudly standing on the
waterfront of the iconic Victoria Harbour, the Hong Kong
Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) has been voted
the Best Convention and Exhibition Centre in Asia 13
times.

Conveniently accessible,
the location is just a 10-minute walk from three major
transport hubs: the MTR Exhibition Centre Station (in
service since May 2022), Wan Chai Station, and the Wan
Chai Ferry Pier.
For more information about
the HKCEC and its transport options, please visit our
venue guide. |
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As a special
arrangement this year, APAO is accepting
abstracts in both English and Chinese.
Regardless of language, each author may submit
up to 5 abstracts in total. Updated
submission guidelines
are now available online.
Share your work
by September 1, 2025 and stand a chance
to be celebrated for your outstanding research!
Top-rated free papers in each subspecialty, as
evaluated by our abstract reviewers, will be
recognized with Best Scientific Paper Awards,
while delegates will elect the Most Popular
Posters, e-Posters and Videos among themselves. |
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We are pleased to announce
the opening of applications for the APAO 2026 Travel
Grants, offering financial support to selected delegates
through two categories:
These grants provide an
excellent opportunity to connect with regional and
global experts, expand your professional network, and
participate in high-level scientific sessions.
Benefits
Include:
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Funding of
US$1,000 (or US$300 if the recipient lives in Hong
Kong)
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Complimentary
registration for APAO 2026
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Invitation to the
Congress Cultural Party
How to
Apply:
Applications must be
submitted via the
congress system. After
logging in, go to the ‘Registration’ section and click
on the ‘APAO Travel Grants’ tab.
Application Deadline:
September
30, 2025 at 23:59 (GMT+8)
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For full eligibility
requirements and detailed information, please visit:
https://2026.apaophth.org/travel-grants/. |
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Early bird registration
for APAO 2026 is available until October 30, 2025.
Register now to secure
your spot at a discounted rate!
And be sure also to mark
these important dates:
Activity |
Date† |
Abstract Submission Closes |
September 1, 2025 |
Early Bird Registration Closes |
October 30, 2025 |
Advance Registration Closes |
January 15, 2026 |
On-site Registration |
February 5 – 8, 2026 |
Opening Ceremony & Plenary Session |
February 5, 2026 |
† All
the dates are indicated in Hong Kong Time (GMT +8).
Please check the time difference from your location to
avoid missing any deadlines. |
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We are excited to
launch the official
APAO YouTube channel, your new
destination for Award Lectures, Congress
highlights, curated content from APAO
activities, and much more. All available to
watch anytime, for free.
New videos
will be added regularly. Subscribe today
to stay updated and connected with the APAO
community! |
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Still catching up on APAO
2025? As a registered delegate in our previous congress,
you have complimentary access* to all recorded sessions
via the APAO Video-On-Demand Portal until June 30,
2025, using your Scientific Portal login.

Access the Video-On-Demand Portall
Whether you missed a
session or want to revisit your favorite presentations,
the portal lets you watch anytime at your convenience.
*Complimentary access ends
June 30, 2025 (GMT+8). Continued access may be available
through paid options. |
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To ensure that emails from APAO 2026
reach your inbox and are not
mistaken
as spam, please consider adding
secretariat@apaocongress.org
to your address book.
© Asia-Pacific Academy of
Ophthalmology |
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APAO®
Secretariat |
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Guangzhou Headquarters:
APAO
c/o State Key Laboratory (Ophthalmology)
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center
Sun Yat-Sen University 1/F, No.7 Jinsui Road
Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
Guangdong, P.R. China
Tel: (852) 5661-1026
WhatsApp / Wechat Call: (852) 5661-1026 |
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Hong Kong Office:
APAO
c/o Department of Ophthalmology and Visual
Sciences
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 4/F
Hong Kong Eye Hospital
147K Argyle Street
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3943-5827
Fax: (852) 2715-9490 |
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