ARVO Anti-harassment Policy

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) has zero tolerance for discrimination and all forms of harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment. This zero-tolerance policy means that no form of discriminatory or harassing conduct by or toward any ARVO member, exhibitor, presenter, attendee or staff member will be tolerated. This includes, but it not limited to: harassment toward another individual on the basis of gender, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, religion, creed, race, color, national origin, medical condition, genetic disorder, physical or mental disability, marital status, age or sexual orientation; physical or verbal threats; unwelcome attention; bullying, stalking; use of physical force; behavior that creates a disturbance or is dangerous, including lewd or generally offensive behavior or language; using sexually explicit or offensive language or conduct; and obscene gestures. ARVO is committed to enforcing its policy at all levels within the association and at any ARVO meeting or event. Any person who engages in discrimination or harassment will be subject to discipline and removal from the premises, at the sole discretion of ARVO. Read the policy

ARVO Abstract Unpublished Work Policy

Accepted abstracts or information to be presented as a paper or poster at the ARVO Annual Meeting must be work that has not been submitted for publication at the time of abstract submission. After abstract submission, an author is at liberty to submit their abstract to a journal for publication consideration.  

ARVO Clinical Trials Registration Policy

The required acknowledgement of the First Author, acting as the authorized agent for all authors, certifies that any research presented in the abstract that reports on a clinical trial with two or more groups of subjects must be registered. The registration website, number, date of registration and day that the trial began must be included in the abstract submission, in compliance with the ARVO Statement on Registering Clinical Trials.

Abstract Withdrawal Policy

If you wish to withdraw your abstract, refer to the Abstract Withdrawal Policy and submit the online request.

ARVO Recording/Photography Policy

In accordance with our culture of academic integrity, recording by any means including, but not limited to photographing, audiotaping, videotaping, screen capturing and/or screen recording of any presentations or sessions — whether virtual or in-person — at or during any ARVO Meeting (Annual Meeting, Bench to Bedside, etc.) is strictly prohibited.

Exceptions include recording by an ARVO-authorized agent for official purposes or by First Authors who wish to capture their own presentations. Violators risk confiscation of their equipment and/or dismissal/banning from the Meeting as deemed appropriate by ARVO.

Questions about this policy can be directed to media@arvo.org.

Embargo Policy

Press releases or stories on information presented at the ARVO Annual Meeting may not be released or published until the conclusion of the presentation. The only exception to this is if an author has submitted the abstract to a journal, as allowed in the Abstract Unpublished Work Policy, and it is published prior to the ARVO Annual Meeting. Read the full Press Policy.

ARVO Commercial Relationships Policy

• Each Paper Presenter is to orally state at the beginning of the presentation all applicable commercial relationship(s) codes, as well as the name(s) of the firm(s) with which a commercial relationship(s) exists for the First Author and each co-author.
• Each Poster Presenter must display the relevant commercial relationship(s) codes and the name(s) of the firm(s) with which a commercial relationship(s) exists for the First Author and each co-author.
• Conformity with the complete ARVO Commercial Relationships Policy is a requirement.

Children Policy

Children under 18 years old who are not scientific attendees are permitted at the Meeting without registration when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please do not leave your children unattended at any time. Parents/guardians who bring children into paper sessions must remove them immediately if they become disruptive. Children are not allowed to accompany parents/guardians in sessions/events where tickets are required or food is provided, unless otherwise noted and a separate ticket has been purchased. Under no circumstances are children permitted in the exhibit/poster hall during set-up or dismantle times.