American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Encyclopedia
The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) is a medical society representing board certified
Board certified
Board certification may refer to:* Board certification, for physicians in an area of medical specialization.* Nursing board certification, for nurses who obtain additional specialty training....

 specialist physicians whose purpose is "to advance education, research, and the quality of clinical practice in the fields of aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery
Reconstructive surgery
Reconstructive surgery is, in its broadest sense, the use of surgery to restore the form and function of the body, although Maxillo-Facial Surgeons, Plastic Surgeons and Otolaryngologists do reconstructive surgery on faces after trauma and to reconstruct the head and neck after cancer.Other...

 specializing in the face
Face
The face is a central sense organ complex, for those animals that have one, normally on the ventral surface of the head, and can, depending on the definition in the human case, include the hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyelashes, eyes, nose, ears, cheeks, mouth, lips, philtrum, temple, teeth, skin, and...

, orbits, eyelids, and lacrimal system."

The society of over 550 members was founded in 1969 with the goal of establishing a group of surgeons who have attained a specialized level of training and expertise. To help train qualified physicians, ASOPRS sponsors oculofacial fellowship programs intended for postgraduate physicians who have completed an accredited ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...

 residency."

Oculofacial Specialty

The society members are medical doctors who practice a specialized branch of Ophthalmology known as Oculofacial surgery or Oculoplastics
Oculoplastics
Oculoplastics, or oculoplastic surgery, includes a wide variety of surgical procedures that deal with the orbit , eyelids, tear ducts, and the face...

. An Oculofacial surgeon is an ophthalmologist (medical doctor and eye surgeon) who has completed additional training in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery relating to the eyes and their surrounding structures. This specialized focus deals with the management of deformities and abnormalities
Abnormalities
Abnormalities is an EP, and the ninth release from Sioux Falls, South Dakota rock band The Spill Canvas. It was released on January 12, 2010.-Track listing:Dust Storm...

 of the eyelids, lacrimal (tear) system, the orbit (the bony cavity surrounding the eye), and the adjacent face.

Fellowship and Membership

Membership in the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) is limited to ophthalmologists who are board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology
American Board of Ophthalmology
The American Board of Ophthalmology is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for certifying ophthalmologists in the United States of America. Founded in 1916, the ABO was the first American Board established to certify medical specialists.The ABO is the founding member of the...

 or its equivalent and have passed rigorous fellowship training and testing. Fellowship
Fellowship (medicine)
A fellowship is the period of medical training in the United States and Canada that a physician may undertake after completing a specialty training program . During this time , the physician is known as a fellow...

 indicates that the surgeon has a special interest and requisite training in this subspecialty. "While board certification and fellowship cannot guarantee a surgical result, these credentials do identify the member surgeon as one who has met specific training requirements."

Society Benefits

Members help to further ASOPRS goal of representing "the best in ophthalmology and plastic surgery". This highly specialized and trained group of physicians is consistently at the forefront of clinical practice, education, and scholarly research. Members of the organization are involved in a variety of activities to promote the society and its goals. This includes the publication of the bi-monthly society journal Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, coordinating several meetings each year, and training new doctors in the field through fellowship programs. In addition, members are involved in advocacy of the society's goal on the national level through the American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the largest national membership medical association of ophthalmologists–medical doctors specializing in eye care and surgery including medical, surgical and optical care. More than 90 percent of practicing U.S. Eye M.D.s are Academy members, and the...

, American Medical Association
American Medical Association
The American Medical Association , founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of medical doctors and medical students in the United States.-Scope and operations:...

, and other organizations dedicated to education and clinical care.

ASOPRS Foundation

Founded in 1999 The ASOPRS Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Its mission "...to foster ASOPRS’ educational, research and humanitarian projects, both nationally and internationally." The foundation is "dedicted to sharing our medical knowledge and experience to provide care for people worldwide who have oculoplastic disorders. The Foundation develops and sponsors education, research, and humanitarian projects nationally and internationally."

The ASOPRS Foundation:
  • Funds research and teaching programs in developing countries to train ophthalmologists in oculofacial surgical techniques, and to expand the availability of care.
  • Provides public education locally and worldwide to inform patients and their families how oculofacial plastic surgery can help them.
  • Encourages ASOPRS members to volunteer their time and resources to sponsored programs as an extension of their involvement in local teaching programs.
  • Supplies educational materials to physicians to expand the knowledge base of oculofacial surgery.

Recognizes distinguished educators, clinicians, administrators, and scientists for their contributions and achievements in oculofacial plastic surgery to
stimulate future contributions.

Fellowships

ASOPRS sponsors specialized oculoplastics
Oculoplastics
Oculoplastics, or oculoplastic surgery, includes a wide variety of surgical procedures that deal with the orbit , eyelids, tear ducts, and the face...

 fellowship
Fellowship (medicine)
A fellowship is the period of medical training in the United States and Canada that a physician may undertake after completing a specialty training program . During this time , the physician is known as a fellow...

training to board certified ophthalmologists. The society only sponsors programs capable of providing "broad clinical experience and laboratory research" www.asoprs.org.
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