Wills Eye Conference
March 26-27, 2026 • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Slide 3
Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 1
Join us for the 78th Annual Wills Eye Conference—where the brightest minds in ophthalmology come together to share the latest breakthroughs in clinical care and research. By day, immerse yourself in cutting-edge insights from world-renowned experts. By night, experience the vibrant energy of Philadelphia—America’s birthplace and a city steeped in history, innovation, and culture. In 2026, as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, there’s no better place to be than Philadelphia—and no better reason to visit than the Wills Eye Conference. Come for the learning. Stay for the city. Make it a weekend to remember.
Hero
Special Guest
Richard A. Ellis, MD Lecture
Dr. Glaucomflecken
Also known as Will Flanary, MD,
ophthalmologist and comedian.

Slide 1
Featured Speakers

John Berdahl, MD
Vance Thompson vision
Bernard C. Gettes, MD Lecture

Jesse Berry, MD
Chief, Ophthalmology,
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Director, Ocular Oncology,
USC Roski Eye Institute
Keck School of Medicine
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Director, Ocular Oncology,
USC Roski Eye Institute
Keck School of Medicine
Arthur J. Bedell Lecture

Peter Campochiaro, MD
George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Professor of Ophthalmology & Neuroscience
Wilmer Eye Institute,
Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine
Wilmer Eye Institute,
Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine
Irving H. Leopold, MD Lecture
and Research Symposium
and Research Symposium

Nancy j. Newman, MD
LeoDelle Jolley Chair of Ophthalmology
Professor of Ophthalmology & Neurology,
Emory University School of Medicine
director, Neuro-Ophthalmology,
Emory Eye Center
Professor of Ophthalmology & Neurology,
Emory University School of Medicine
director, Neuro-Ophthalmology,
Emory Eye Center
E. Howard Bedrossian, MD Lecture
and Research Symposium
and Research Symposium

Dimitri Azar, MD, MBA
UIC Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology, Bioengineering and Pharmacology
University of Illinois College of Medicine
University of Illinois College of Medicine
Research Symposium

Artur V. Cideciyan, PhD
co-director, Center for
Hereditary Retinal Degenerations
University of Pennsylvania
Hereditary Retinal Degenerations
University of Pennsylvania
Research Symposium

Timothy W. Corson, PhD
Co-Director
University of Toronto, Graduate Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Toronto, Graduate Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Research Symposium

Eric A. Pierce, MD, PhD
Director, Berman-Gund Laboratory for the Study of Retinal Degenerations
Massachusetts Eye and Ear
Director, Ocular Genomics Institute
Harvard Medical School
Massachusetts Eye and Ear
Director, Ocular Genomics Institute
Harvard Medical School
Research Symposium
Block
Gallery
Our favorite moments & memories

Conference Chair Dr. Zeba A. Syed invites you to attend
the 2026 Wills Eye Conference.
Step into the visual story of the Wills Eye Conference. Explore highlights from our sessions, keynotes, networking events, and behind-the-scenes moments. This gallery captures the energy, insights, and connections that define the conference and showcase the people and passion driving progress in our field.