2026 IEOC/an-vision Symposium
- Dec 19, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 56 minutes ago
Thank you an-vision, for agreeing to sponsor the Symposium as our name-sake sponsor!
Named one of TIME’s 2024 World’s Greatest Places, World Equestrian Center (WEC) features a premier equestrian and multidisciplinary event venue located in Ocala, Florida. The Center is committed to providing an unparalleled experience for exhibitors, spectators, vendors, sponsors and retailers.
The IEOC Symposium will be hosted at this facility, meeting space, restaurants, housing and unique on-site equine competitions and events. Saturday evening attendees may choose to attend an equine event competition as a group for our fun evening mingling event! More information and registration for this Saturday equine event will open by early April.
Update as of February 13, 2026:
Symposium registration is now available through this link, closing May 31st.
Hotel, reduced rate reservation information link is available below.
The Call for Papers is open, closing end of day Feb. 28th!
Exhibitor reservations are being taken, 2 spots left!
Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Program and State of the Art Speakers are available here.
Symposium Registration
Online registration will open 2.13.26. Attendees must be a member to register, kindly renew or apply for membership before submitting registration.
Call for Papers
The 2026 Call for Papers and presentations is now open. Please review the guidelines documents, then when ready, submit your application using the below online form and attach the completed materials. The Call is scheduled to close by February 28th, end of day.
Tentative General Schedule
The continuing education hours offered are typically 12 - 14 total CE. This includes a mix of abstract and case report presentations from the podium, and a limited poster presentation section. The Symposium offers attendance in-person only. Registration will open early February. Trainees are encouraged to submit for presentation and monetary awards may be sponsored again this year. (as of 2.12.2026)
Thursday, June 18, 2026
6:00pm-8:00pm Welcome Reception
Friday, June 19, 2026 7:00am-8:00am Breakfast with Exhibitors 8:00am-5:00pm Exhibits Open 8:30am-8:45am Welcome and Introduction 8:45am-9:45am State of the Art Lecture 9:45am-10:00am Break with Exhibitors 10:00am-11:00am State of the Art Lecture cont. 11:00am-12:00pm Abstract & Case Presentations 12:00pm-1:00pm Lunch with Exhibitors 1:00pm-3:00pm Abstract & Case Presentations 3:00pm-3:30pm Break with Exhibitors 3:30pm-5:00pm Abstract & Case Presentations
Saturday, June 20, 2026
[Similar to Friday, adjournment approximately 5:00pm]
TBD Optional Evening WEC Equine Group Event
Registration
Symposium registration is now open for members, closing May 31st . If you are interested in becoming a member in order to attend and/or present, please review the application and dues information located on this site. Please be aware that dues applications cannot be accepted after May 24th, and registration closes May 31st. The Symposium does not allow for walk-up attendees. Reduced dues fees are available to approved trainees, registration fees are priced at a break even rate so a reduced registration fee is not available currently.
Registration is $625 early by March 31st, and $650 regular rate thereafter. Attendees will receive: access to the CE sessions, participation in the Welcome Reception including appetizers and a drink, and a full buffet breakfast and lunch are provided on Friday and Saturday, and optional participation in the Saturday equine main event reception. Trainee registrants are eligible to participate to win a presentation award ranging from $1,200 - $300 for winning podium and poster presentations. (Confirmation on this will be made by early April.)
This year we will have an optional add-on group reception and equine competition event provided on-site by the WEC. Plan to attend with other IEOC attendees for a fun evening of equine competition, drinks and appetizers. More information and a direct registration option will be available by April 1st. A separate form and fee will be made available here.
State of the Art Speaker - Friday
Innovations of Ocular Drug Delivery for Horses Dr. Brian Gilger
Dr. Gilger received his veterinary degree from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. After completing an ophthalmology residency and earning a master’s degree at Auburn University, Dr. Gilger returned to The Ohio State University as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology in 1992. In October 1995, he joined the faculty at North Carolina State University as an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and is now a Professor of Ophthalmology. He is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (DACVO) and the American Board of Toxicologists (DABT). He is a Gold Fellow (FARVO) and member of the Board of Trustees of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).
Dr. Gilger was recognized as a distinguished alumnus of both The Ohio State University and Auburn University. In 2018, he received the American Veterinary Medical Association Clinical Research Award. In 2025, he was awarded the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal, NC State University's highest academic honor for faculty, becoming only the third College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member to receive it. Dr. Gilger serves as Associate Editor for Veterinary Ophthalmology and The International Journal of Medicine. He is also a member of the Editorial Board for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Dr. Gilger’s research focuses on ocular drug delivery, immunomodulation, and innovative therapies for eye diseases, including gene and cell therapies. He has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific papers. He is the editor of ten textbooks, including Ocular Pharmacology and Toxicology (2014), Standards in Ocular Toxicology and Inflammation (2018), two editions of Veterinary Ophthalmology (Gelatt), and five editions of Equine Ophthalmology (2026).
State of the Art Speaker - Saturday
Systemic Disorders with Ocular Manifestations &
Beyond the Eye: Care and Monitoring of Hospitalized Equine Ophthalmology Patients Dr. Sally DeNotta
Sally DeNotta is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and is a member of the clinical faculty at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from the rural Oregon coast, she received her DVM from Oregon State University and spent time in private practice in Oregon and Colorado before completing an internal medicine residency and PhD at Cornell University. She joined the UF faculty in 2018, where her clinical interests include equine infectious disease and clinical neurology.
Presentation highlights:
Systemic disorders with ocular manifestations
Systemic disorders commonly treated in equine patients can affect the eye either secondarily or as a direct result of disease. This lecture will review such diseases with an emphasis on the recognition and management of ocular manifestations.
Beyond the eye: Care and monitoring of hospitalized equine ophtho patients
Hospitalized equine ophthalmology patients are at risk for secondary complications including colic, colitis, and renal injury. This lecture will review commodities commonly noted in ophtho patients and summarize the existing literature regarding their clinical management.
Sponsors & Exhibitors
Thank you for your interest! We welcome your involvement and seek to build relationships between our vendors and attendees. IEOC will have limited availability for table-top exhibits to be held at the WEC in the meeting and events area; approximately 8 table top booths. As of 2.12.26 we have 2 booths available. Reach out soon!
Thank you to our confirmed exhibitors and sponsors to date!
Sponsor/Partners
an-vison, Inc. - Namesake Sponsor Crestpoint Ophthalmics - Welcome Reception Sponsor
Exhibitors an-vision, Inc
Aventix
Crestpoint Ophthalmics
Epicur Pharma
Med for Vets
Review sponsorship and exhibit opportunity summary.
The IEOC plans to hold as many functions as possible in the area where the exhibits will be hosted, including breaks and meals when possible. Please note there are size limitations for the show and booths are available on a first-come, first-served basis. (Those with ability to support sponsorships will have priority.)
Please complete this form below and email to the IEOC office as soon as possible.
General attendee information.
Attendee information:
IEOC membership is approximately 250 international veterinarians who practice equine ophthalmology, some are board certified in veterinary ophthalmology.
Typically 80-130 members attend the Symposium annually.
Approximately 65% are US based, 35% outside of the US.
Approximately 20 of these members are trainees.
Hotel & Accommodations Located in The Riding Academy Hotel at the WEC
The Symposium will be hosted at the World Equestrian Center (WEC), in Ocala, Florida. This is a unique premier equine facility that offers a couple hotels, on-site equine competitions all week, meeting facilities, nearly a dozen restaurants and housing.
Our rooms and meeting space are located at The Riding Academy Hotel. There are a couple hotels at this facility so be sure to book at our hotel under the IEOC block. For rooming reservations at our block rate, visit this WEC link. The meetings will occur in this building. We ask attendees to utilize this rooming block to help lessen our contractual liability.
IEOC rates will range from $219++ to $239++/night. Please try to stay withing the IEOC block to limit our liability for attrition. Room types include QQ Pool View Suite, Double Queen Suite Balcony, and King Studio. Based upon availability. [Note: Most attendees arrive Thursday and leave Saturday evening, or Sunday morning if they plan to attend the optional group equine event Saturday evening.] Contact the IEOC if you experience problems.
Transportation & Parking
There are four airports to choose from, with the nearest airport being the Gainesville Regional Airport. Below are the airports, their airport codes, and the miles from each airport to the World Equestrian Center.
GNV (Gainesville) = 41 miles
MCO (Orlando) = 92 miles
TPA (Tampa) = 102 miles
JAX (Jacksonville) = 115 miles
There are several ways to reach the WEC/Ocala from the four airports.
Rental car
Uber, Lyft, or Taxi
Options for private car airport transportation:
Signature Limousine
https://signaturelimousineflorida.com/service-area/limousine-service-ocala/
Pronto Limousine Services
The IEOC recommends renting a car if possible due to the distance from the airports, and the size of the property. The WEC has ample, complimentary parking for those who choose to rent a car and want availability to see the sights nearby. The WEC property map can be found here. Golf carts are also available for rent at the property, by the hour.
