2026 IEOC Symposium
- Sawtooth Sites
- Dec 19, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
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.
Plan to join us! Update as of January 22, 2026:
The Call for Papers is now open!
Exhibitor reservations are being taken.
Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Our State of the Art Speakers are announced herein.
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 1.22.2026)
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
The Symposium registration will open early February and is only open to current IEOC members. 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 will end in May, and the meeting does not allow for walk-up attendees. Reduced dues and registration fees are usually available to approved trainees. Registration fees vary depending on location and year, these will be announced when registration opens.
Registration usually includes: attendance to the CE sessions, participation in the Welcome Reception including food and limited drinks, and a full breakfast and lunch are provided on Friday and Saturday.
This year we will have an optional add-on reception and equine event provided on-site at 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.
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 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. Once you arrive at the WEC you do not need transportation. We are working to provide shuttle information from two major airports serving the area. Car rentals are also available to, from and on-site. Housing details including a link to room reservations, rates and options will be provided here by February 1st.
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