2022 Abstract Submissions

Abstract Submissions

Important Dates

  • Electronic Abstract Submission Opens: August 27, 2021
  • Deadline for Abstract Submission: October 4, 2021 (8pm EST)
  • Deadline for current fellows to submit final abstract directly to Maria Schweers: October 25, 2021 (see below for more information)
  • Notification of abstract acceptance: November 30, 2021

Abstract submission has now closed for 2022.

Financial Disclosure Form

An optometrist may participate in the AAPOS annual meeting if they are an invited speaker on a symposium or a presenting or listed co-author on a selected poster or paper.  Optometrists may not be the presenting author on topics related to surgery or ophthalmic procedures. (Policy Revised 1.12.2022)

Deadline for Fellows

The AAPOS Program Committee is aware of the tight timeline encountered by fellows when submitting an abstract for the annual AAPOS meeting. The fact that fellowships begin in July, coupled with the need for IRB approval of projects, can make it difficult for a new fellow to submit a completed and detailed abstract by the conventional deadline. The deadline is early because the Program Committee reviews and grades abstracts prior to their fall meeting when final decisions are made. CME application is then generally completed by early December to ensure that our members receive full CME credit for all abstracts.

To accommodate the delayed route: 

  • The Program Committee will save a pre-selected number of paper and poster positions for potential fellow presentations.
  • The fellow is still required to submit an abstract with at least the title and purpose by the October 4th deadline with completed financial disclosures forms for each author. They would then click a box on the electronic submission form stating that this is a fellow presentation and that the final version will be submitted to Maria Schweers by the October 25th deadline.
  • The fellowship director will provide a statement verifying that the first author is currently a fellow and that IRB submission and data collection and analysis are underway.
  • Although this route of submission gives the fellow more time to submit a completed abstract, it is possible, depending on the number and quality of standard versus late submissions, that a later submission may result in a lower chance of the abstract being accepted.

Fellowship Research Award

Overview

To be awarded annually if a suitable candidate is identified. Winner to receive a cash award of $750. Additionally:

  • Annual Meeting registration fees are waived.
  • Recipient can only win the award once.
  • Applicant must be current fellow, or within one year following completion of fellowship.
  • Applicants must be from an approved fellowship position.
  • Applicants can apply by checking the abstract form at the time of submission.
  • Research committee to select top candidates for review, final selection, and winner announcement at the annual meeting.