Shipping deadline: 09/27/2026
Call for Abstracts: Submission Guidelines and Awards
1. General Rules & Deadlines
- Submission Deadline: September 27, 2026, at 9:00 PM BRT (Brasília Time).
- Submission System: The Scientific Committee accepts submissions exclusively through the online submission system. The Committee reserves the right to reject any submission that does not comply with these guidelines.
- Revisions: Abstracts and manuscripts may be revised at any time until the submission deadline (September 27, 2026, at 9:00 PM BRT) or until the corresponding author finalizes the submission, whichever occurs first.
- Changes After Submission: Under no circumstances will the Scientific Committee or the Executive Secretariat edit, correct, replace, or modify submitted abstracts, manuscripts, files, or author lists.
- Submission Limits: Each author may submit a maximum of two (2) manuscripts per award category. Each manuscript may include no more than eight (8) authors.
- Attendance: Authors should submit abstracts only if they intend to attend the congress. At least one author must be fully registered for the meeting.
- Notification: Acceptance decisions will be announced on the congress website in September 2026, and the corresponding author will be notified by email.
2. Registration & Communication Process
- Access to the Submission System: To access the online submission system, the corresponding author must first complete the online pre-registration process.
- Registration Payment: At least one author must be registered for the congress. Registration fees may be paid at a later stage. Authors may return to the system at any time before the registration deadline to complete payment according to the applicable registration category and fee schedule.
- Corresponding Author Information: All corresponding author information (institution, department, mailing address, and email address) must be completed accurately. A valid email address is required, as all official communications will be sent electronically.
- Copyright Authorization: By submitting an abstract, all authors agree to these regulations and authorize the Organizing Committee and the SPRV to publish the submitted material, in whole or in part, in printed or electronic media, nationally or internationally, without financial compensation.
3. Abstract Technical Requirements
- Language: Abstracts must be submitted entirely in English.
- Character Limit: Abstracts are limited to 1,500 characters, excluding the title and author information. The submission system automatically verifies compliance with this limit.
- Structure: Abstracts should include the following sections: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. For video submissions, a brief summary is sufficient.
- Figures and Tables: Tables, graphs, and images are not permitted within the abstract text. These materials may only be included in the final presentation or poster.
- Title Consistency: The abstract title must be identical to the title of the uploaded manuscript, presentation, or poster.
4. Award Categories & Specific Regulations
When submitting an abstract, applicants must select one of the following eight award categories.
4.1. Fernando Arévalo Young Retina Specialist Award
Established in 2024 by J. Fernando Arévalo, MD, PhD, Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, this award recognizes outstanding achievements by young retina specialists. It is co-sponsored by the Pan-American Ophthalmological Foundation (PAOF) and the Pan-American Retina & Vitreous Society (PRVS).
- Eligibility: Retina specialists younger than 40 years of age who are members of both the PAAO and the PRVS and reside in the Americas, Spain, or Portugal. Applicants should demonstrate excellence in academic ophthalmology through scientific publications, presentations, and community service.
- Manuscript Requirements: The manuscript must be at least five pages in length (including figures) and present original, innovative scientific contributions to the retinal literature.
- Additional Requirements: Applicants must submit an updated Curriculum Vitae highlighting their academic achievements and publications.
- Presentation: The award recipient will deliver a 5-minute presentation summarizing the submitted research and major academic accomplishments.
- Prize: US$2,500 and an invited lecture during the congress.
4.2. Prof. Dr. Arturo Alezzandrini Sr. Award
This award honors one of the founders of GLADAOF, the organization that gave rise to the Pan-American Society of Retina and Vitreous.
- Eligibility: Retina specialists younger than 40 years of age who are affiliated with an academic institution.
- Manuscript Requirements: The manuscript must be at least five pages in length (including figures) and present original, innovative scientific contributions to the retinal literature.
- Submission Requirement: Applicants must submit an unpublished manuscript related to the field of retina.
- Presentation: Finalists will deliver a 10-minute podium presentation during the congress.
- Evaluation Committee: Dr. Arturo Alezzandrini, Dr. Francisco Rodríguez, and Dr. Lihteh Wu.
- Prize: US$1,000 and an official diploma awarded by the Pan-American Society of Retina and Vitreous.
4.3. Prof. José Berrocal Award
This award recognizes outstanding original research in vitreoretinal diseases; including clinical, translational, or basic science research; conducted by current retina fellows.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be current retina fellows training under an active SPRV member or have completed their fellowship in June 2026. The submitted research must have been performed entirely during the fellowship.
- Criteria: The manuscript must be at least five pages in length (including figures) and present exceptional, original research on any aspect of vitreoretinal diseases.
- Submission Requirements: Applications must be submitted in PDF format no later than September 1, 2026, and must include:
- Abstract
- Complete publication-ready manuscript
- Curriculum Vitae
- Official endorsement letter from the SPRV sponsor member
- Conditions: The applicant must be both the first author and the presenting author. The sponsoring SPRV member must attend the congress in São Paulo. All applications will be reviewed by a committee appointed by the SPRV.
- Presentation: The award recipient will be featured in the official scientific program and will deliver a 5-minute presentation of the manuscript.
- Prize: US$2,500 and an official presentation during the congress.
4.4. SPRV Best Surgical Video Award
This award recognizes outstanding vitreoretinal surgical videos presented by retina fellows and is intended to showcase innovative surgical techniques, complex cases, and educational value.
- Eligibility: Videos must be submitted by current retina fellows.
- Video Format: Each submission must consist of a 3-minute surgical video, presented with live narration by the fellow during the scientific session.
- Submission Requirements: Each submission must be accompanied by an official endorsement letter from the Director of the Retina Fellowship Program.
- Selection Process: The ten highest-scoring videos will be selected for presentation during the scientific session on Sunday, November 1, from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM.
- Evaluation Criteria: Videos will be scored on a scale from 1 to 10 according to the following criteria:
- Recording quality
- Originality
- Technical innovation
- Educational value
- Surgical complexity
- Quality of live narration
- Award Presentation: Awards will be presented on Sunday, November 1, from 10:00 AM to 10:15 AM. Only participants who personally present their videos and are present at the award ceremony will be eligible to receive the prize. If the selected winner is absent, the award will be presented to the next highest-ranked submission.
- Evaluation Committee: Rodrigo Brant, Marina Roizenblatt, Octaviano Magalhães Jr., Anna Carolina, Leandro Zacharias, Olivia Baldivieso, Filipe Lucatto, Marcelo Zas, Olivia Kiappe, Nassin Abreu, Ronaldo Sano, and Mauricio Maia.
- Prize: US$2,500.
4.5. SPRV Rubens Belfort Award
This award recognizes the best manuscript in the field of uveitis.
- Manuscript Requirements: The manuscript must be at least five pages in length (including figures) and present original scientific findings that contribute to the understanding or management of uveitis.
- Structure: Manuscripts should include the following sections:
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Presentation: The first author will deliver a 5-minute presentation during the scientific session.
- Evaluation Committee: Rubens Belfort Jr., Cristina Muccioli, Heloisa Nascimento, and Mauricio Maia.
- Prize: US$2,500.
4.6. SPRV / Michel Farah Innovation Award
This award recognizes the best manuscript focused on innovation in retinal research and technology.
- Manuscript Requirements: The manuscript must be at least five pages in length (including figures) and present original, innovative scientific contributions relevant to the field of retina.
- Structure: Manuscripts should include the following sections:
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Presentation: The first author will deliver a 5-minute presentation during the scientific session.
- Evaluation Committee: Michel Eid Farah, Natasha Cruz, Fernando Penha, Sung Watanabe, Luiz Lima, and Mauricio Maia.
- Prize: US$2,500.
4.7. SPRV / Prof. Suel Abujamra Award
This award recognizes the best manuscript in vitreoretinal surgery.
- Eligibility: Manuscripts addressing any aspect of vitreoretinal surgery are eligible for consideration.
- Manuscript Requirements: The manuscript must be at least five pages in length (including figures), present original findings that advance the field of vitreoretinal surgery, and include the following sections:
- Introduction
- Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Presentation: The first author will deliver a 5-minute presentation during the scientific session.
- Evaluation Committee: Caio Abujamra, Michel Eid Farah, Marcos Ávila, Andre Maia, Laurentino Biccas Neto, Eduardo Dib, and Mauricio Maia.
- Prize: US$2,500.
4.8. SPRV e-Poster Award
Direct submission is not available for this award. Eligible e-posters will be selected independently by the Scientific Committee from among all accepted submissions that have not received any other award.
This award recognizes the best electronic poster presented during the congress.
- Presentation: The first author must present the poster during the official coffee breaks.
- Award Presentation: Awards will be presented on Sunday, November 1, from 10:15 AM to 10:30 AM.
- Presenters: Marina Roizenblatt, Rodrigo Brant, Eduardo Dib, and Mauricio Maia.
- Evaluation Committee: Eduardo Dib, Camila Ventura, Octaviano Magalhães Jr., Beatriz Takahashi, Anna Carolina, Heloisa Nascimento, and Mauricio Maia.
- Prize: US$1,000.
| Award | Submission | Presentation | Time | Prize |
| Fernando Arévalo | Manuscript + CV | Oral | 5 min | US$2,500 |
| Arturo Alezzandrini | Manuscript | Oral | 10 min | US$1,000 |
| José Berrocal | Manuscript | Oral | 5 min | US$2,500 |
| Surgical Video | Video | Live narration | 3 min | US$2,500 |
| Rubens Belfort | Manuscript | Oral | 5 min | US$2,500 |
| Michel Farah | Manuscript | Oral | 5 min | US$2,500 |
| Suel Abujamra | Manuscript | Oral | 5 min | US$2,500 |
| e-Poster | Poster | Coffee Break | — | US$1,000 |
