April 1-3, 2027 in Miami, FL
We are excited to host the 15th Annual Vit-Buckle Society Meeting for all members of the retina community at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in April 2027.
Registration and event details will be available in the fall of 2026.
Abstract Submission Deadline: October 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
Abstract submissions are open. We welcome abstracts from practicing retina specialists and trainees.
WHO: Practicing Retina Specialists
DEADLINE: Monday, October 26, 2026, by 11:59 PM PDT
FUNDING: Discounted 2027 meeting registration
Please submit in one of the following categories for consideration as a podium presentation.
Only one submission per practicing retina specialist allowed.
ATTENDANCE: Presenters must attend the entire meeting, starting on Thursday, April 1, 2027, through the end of the meeting on Saturday, April 3, 2027, concluding with an all-attendee dinner 7 – 10pm ET.
WHO: Fellows, Medical Students, Research Fellows, Residents
FUNDING: The top accepted abstracts will receive a VBS Academic Travel Grant, which includes complimentary meeting registration for the VBS 2027 Annual meeting, travel up to $500, and shared lodging (four nights for fellows and three nights for residents/medical students/research fellows). The best presenter will be awarded a coveted VBS BUCKLE!
ATTENDANCE: Travel Grant Recipients must attend the entire meeting. Fellows attendance begins Thursday, April 1, 2027, at 8:00 AM ET. Medical Students, Research Fellows, & Residents attendance begins on Thursday, April 1, 2027, at 5:00 PM ET (though you are invited to attend all day). The meeting continues through Saturday, April 3, 2027, concluding with an all-attendee dinner 7 – 10pm ET.
Vitreoretinal fellow are invited to submit video presentations for Fellows Foray!
Fellows Foray takes place the day before the VBS Annual Meeting. All fellows and VBS members are invited to attend this surgically-focused educational event. The Fellows Foray panel will judge surgical video submissions based upon originality, degree of difficulty, surgeon’s skill level, and quality of video (HD preferred). The top 10 videos will be presented live by the fellows with discussion from attendings and participants as well as receiving a travel grant!
Video Submissions will open soon, please check back!
Application Deadline: November 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST
WHO: Ophthalmology Residents and Medical Students interested in a career in surgical retina who identify as Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Southeast Asian (for example Cambodian, Laotian, Vietnamese, Hmong, Filipino) and individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+.
FUNDING: Winners will receive waived registration, a shared hotel room for four nights (3/31-4/4) at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach, and reimbursement for up to $500 in travel expenses to attend the 2027 VBS Annual Meeting April 1-3, 2027, in Miami Beach, FL. A full day of program content targeted to FOCUS participants will occur on April 1st, and participants are expected to stay for the duration of the meeting.
WHAT: Applicants must be actively enrolled medical students or ophthalmology residents with verification of status and approval to attend the meeting by their medical school dean or ophthalmology residency program director. Previous FOCUS travel grant recipients who have finished their two-year travel grants are ineligible from reapplying. Interested applicants must submit a brief CV summarizing their educational background and a no longer than 90 second audio statement addressing the following questions:
• What do you hope to gain from the FOCUS program?
• \What is your vision for improving access to quality care in the field of retina?
ATTENDANCE: FOCUS Travel Grant Recipients must attend the entire meeting, starting on Thursday, April 1, 2027, at 8:00 AM ET, through the meeting on Saturday, April 3, 2027, concluding with an all-attendee dinner 7- 10pm.