Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology

Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology was founded in the year 1960. The Asia-Pacific region is home to more than half of the world’s population. According to the Global Data on Visual Impairments 2010 published by the World Health Organization, among the estimated 285 million visually impaired people in the world, over 180 million reside in the Asia-Pacific. Thus, ophthalmologists in the Asia-Pacific region have an important role to play in the fight against preventable blindness. As the major driving force in ophthalmology in the Asia-Pacific, APAO’s raison d’etre is best described by Sir Stewart Duke-Elder, then President of the International Council of Ophthalmology, at the first APAO Congress in 1960: “I know of no greater stimulus for the progress of ophthalmology in the vast area which the Asia-Pacific Academy represents than the institution of a body such as yours.” APAO will continue to take on the challenges of removing the barriers to ophthalmic education and services. To this end, the Academy has launched a variety of initiatives, including the Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology, Leadership Development Program, International Fellowship Program, etc. In addition to national ophthalmic societies, APAO has also recruited regional subspecialty societies. At present, APAO has 25 member organizations comprising 6 major regional subspecialty societies and 19 national ophthalmic societies from different countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia & New Zealand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.