Submission Guidelines

Before submission, please read the guidelines below. 

The deadline for Abstract submission is March 31, 2026 (Friday). Late Submissions will NOT be accepted. 

All abstracts must be submitted in English exclusively through the congress system at http://congress.2026.apvrs.org. Submissions by post, email, fax, or any other means will NOT be accepted.

There is no restriction on the number of abstracts submitted. However, each author is limited to serving as presenting author for five accepted abstracts. 

You may submit your abstract under any one of the subspecialities below.

    • Retina (Medical)
    • Retina (Surgical)
    • Myopia
    • Paediatrics
    • Uveitis
    • Ocular Oncology & Pathology 
    • Ocular Imaging
    • AI, Big Data and Registries 
    • Glaucoma
    • Cataract
    • Cornea
    • Neuro-Ophthalmology
    • General Ophthalmology
    • Oculoplastics

1. Presentation Types

Abstract submitters may specify the most preferred presentation type at the time of submission. 

    • Free Paper
    • Poster
    • E-Poster
    • Video 

Please select the most preferred presentation type carefully, as the abstract selection process is unidirectional. For example, if a submitter chooses Poster as the preferred presentation type, even if the abstract receives sufficient scores, it can only be accepted as a Poster or an E‑Poster and CANNOT be upgraded to a Free Paper. For more details, please refer to Section 4.1: Abstract Selection Process.

1.1 Submitted Free Papers

The presenting author of each accepted free paper will deliver a 5–8 minute in‑person talk presentation with PowerPoint during the Rapid Fire Sessions at the APVRS Congress.

Free Paper Guidelines will be available upon acceptance.

1.2 Submitted Posters

The presenting authors of accepted posters are responsible for presenting their abstracts in the form of a physical poster. PowerPoint presentations are not required for poster abstracts, except for those selected for Poster Discussion Sessions.

Authors are required to print their posters and mount them on the designated poster panels. Posters should serve as a clear and concise visual representation of the accepted abstract. Detailed specifications will be provided in the Poster Presentation Guidelines, which will be available upon acceptance.

Poster Discussion Sessions will be held during the Congress, offering selected authors the opportunity to present and discuss their work. Presenting authors will deliver a 5–8 minute in‑person presentation with PowerPoint. 

The Secretariat will issue invitations to the authors selected to participate in these sessions, with notifications expected between May and June 2026. 

1.3 Submitted E-Posters 

Accepted E-Posters will be presented at digital kiosks during the congress. PowerPoint presentations are not required. 

Each E-Poster should serve as a clear visual representation of the submitted and accepted abstract. Please ensure that the E-Poster is prepared in the required format and review the specifications carefully in the E-Poster Presentation Guidelines, which will be provided upon acceptance.  

If your E‑Poster is accepted, please ensure that the final PDF file MUST be uploaded to the Congress System before the deadline, which will be announced later. Submissions received after the deadline may NOT be considered. 

1.4 Submitted Videos

Accepted videos will be presented at digital kiosks during the congress. PowerPoint presentations are not required.  

Videos MUST be uploaded to the Congress System during the abstract submission period, and no changes can be made after the submission deadline. Abstracts without the accompanying video file(s) submitted by the deadline will Not be forwarded for review and will be considered incomplete. 

1.4.1 Video Submission Requirements
Length: Each video must be no longer than 8 minutes,
File Format: MP4 file format
Maximum file size: 500 MB

1.4.2 Video Evaluation Criteria
Videos will be evaluated based on their scientific merit, educational value, originality, quality, conciseness, audiovisual effects, and editing skills.

2. Abstract Submission Requirement  

2.1 Abstract Format

Content Items Format
Title
  • The title must be concise. Avoid using abbreviations in the title.
  • The title must not exceed 40 words.
Content
  • Include purpose, methods, results and conclusion.
  • The abstract must not exceed 250 words.
  • Do not include graphs, tables, images, and references in the abstract.
  • Define each abbreviation the first time it is used in the abstract by placing what it stands for in parentheses.
  • Remove the names of any affiliated institutes, academic institutions, hospitals, eye centers, and individuals involved in the study
Keywords – At most 5 keywords

It is the author’s responsibility to submit an abstract with correct spelling and grammar. The Selection Committee, however, reserves the right to edit the abstract if it has significant spelling and grammatical mistakes. 

2.2 Disclosure 

2.2.1 Support/Funding Disclosure
Abstract submitters should indicate the names of any sponsors or funders if the work has received support from companies, institutions, or other organizations.

2.2.2 Financial/Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Abstract submitters should also disclose any relevant financial relationships of the presenting author and/or co‑authors that are related to the content of the abstract. 

3. Authorship 

Role
/
Authorship		 Description Responsibility
Abstract Submitter
  • Does not need to be the first author or one of the co-authors(s)
  • Submit abstract 
  • Upload the video MP4 file for video abstract
  • Confirm abstract  Acceptance
  • Fill in authors’ information
  • Select the presenting author among first author and co-author(s) upon abstract acceptance
First Author
  • Only one first author per abstract
  • Able to upload E–Poster file(s) of accepted abstract(s)
  • Account will be set up automatically upon filling information by submitter (If submitter and first author are not the same person)
Co-author
  • There is no limit to the number of co‑authors per abstract. 
  • Able to upload E-Poster file(s) of accepted abstract(s). 
  • Account will be set up automatically upon filling information by submitter (If submitter and co-author are not the same person)
Presenting Author
  • Only one presenting author per abstract
  • Each author has maximum of 5 presenting quotas
  • It is selected among first author and co-author(s) by the abstract submitter upon abstract acceptance
  • Presenter of the abstract
  • Able to upload e-poster and free paper presentation file
  • Mount the physical poster and present the work if the abstract is selected for Poster Discussion
  • Compulsory to complete registration

The Abstract Committee strongly encourages submitters to submit their abstracts as early as possible to avoid last-minute congestion and technical issues. Abstract Submission may be saved as drafts, and draft can be revised before submission. After the abstract is submitted, it is NOT allowed to be revised. If needed, the submitted abstract can be withdrawn by the submission deadline March 31, 2026 (Friday). Kindly note that only the submitted abstracts will be reviewed. 

The 19th Asia-Pacific Vitreo-retina Society Congress holds the copyright to all the materials presented at the Congress. 

4. Selection and Result Announcement 

All submitted abstracts will undergo peer review by the Selection Committee. The review process is confidential, and all decisions are final.  

Authors will be notified of the results no later than May 2026. All submitters and authors may check the status of their abstracts through the abstract submission portal, while only those whose abstracts are selected will receive an individual email notification 

4.1 Abstract Selection Process 

Submitted abstracts will be reviewed and selected as illustrated in figure 1 below.

Figure 1: Abstract Selection Process 

Please note that the abstract selection process is unidirectional. This means that a poster abstract receiving sufficient scores can ONLY be accepted as a Poster or an E-poster but CANNOT be upgraded to a Free Paper.

Abstract submitters will receive an email notification from the congress system if their abstracts are selected. According to the corresponding accepted presentation type, the abstract submitter can make final decision on the presentation type as illustrated in figure 2 below.

Figure 2: Sample congress system webpage allowing abstract submitters to make the final decision on the presentation type.

4.2 Important Notes

Please note that the presenting author is required to complete registration; otherwise, the invitation acceptance process cannot be finalized. 

Registration fees may not be refundable if the presenting author is unable to attend after accepting the invitation. 

5. Awards 

APVRS Best Abstract Awards 

The APVRS Selection Committee will select the best abstracts in different presentation types of abstracts, and the decision is final. The Best Abstract Awards will be presented to the presenting authors at the award ceremony during the 19th APVRS Congress, as outlined below. 

    • Free Papers (5 awards) 
    • Posters (5 awards) 
    • E-Poster (5 awards) 
    • Video (5 awards) 

Only winning authors will receive individual email notifications, with results expected to be announced by June 2026. 

As a token of recognition, abstract awardees will be acknowledged in the APVRS Final Book and will receive reserved complimentary tickets to the APVRS 2026 Gold Coast Gala Dinner. 

Awardees are required to attend the Congress or, alternatively, nominate a representative to receive the award on their behalf. 

For any inquiries regarding abstract, please contact abstract@apvrs.org.