The Academy is now accepting nominations for the 2009 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award.

Award Descriptions

Achievement Awards
Distinguished Service Award
Guests of Honor
International Blindness Prevention Award
International Ophthalmologist Education Award
International Scholar Award
Laureate Recognition Award
Outstanding Advocate Award
Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award
Secretariat Award
Special Recognition Award
Straatsma Award for Excellence in Resident Education

Achievement Awards 
The Achievement Award program recognizes individuals who participate in the scientific programs at the Annual Meeting and encompasses more than 25 categories of contribution to the Academy. The award program is based on a cumulative point system; one point is awarded for each area of contribution, and an individual can earn a maximum of three points per year.

Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award honors an individual or organization for ongoing notable service to ophthalmology and to the Academy. The president has the honor of selecting the recipient of this award, who is then approved by the Board of Trustees.

Guests of Honor
Each president has the privilege of selecting individuals to be Guests of Honor at the Annual Meeting. Individuals are selected in recognition of their significant contribution to ophthalmology and to the Academy.

International Blindness Prevention Award
First established in 1992, the International Blindness Prevention Award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the prevention of blindness or the restoration of sight around the world.  

International Ophthalmologist Education Award
The Academy developed the International Ophthalmologist Education Award in 2006 to recognize international Academy members who pursue lifelong education in ophthalmology.  To qualify, international members need to complete 90 continuing medical education(CME) credits over a period of three years. Please note: This award is only for International members who have completed their training.

NEW International Scholar Award
This is a new award that the Academy has developed to honor international members and their lifelong commitment to learning. Please note: This award is only for International members who have already received the International Ophthalmologist Education Award.


Laureate Recognition Award
Every year, ophthalmologists distinguish themselves and the profession by making exceptional scientific contributions toward preventing blindness and restoring sight worldwide. The Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Ophthalmology will recognize these extraordinary contributions with its Laureate Recognition Award, the Academy’s single, highest honor.

Outstanding Advocate Award
This award has been created to recognize Academy members who participate in advocacy-related efforts at either the state and/or federal level. Nominees must perform advocacy functions in their capacity as an ophthalmologist.


Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award
First awarded in 1992, the Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award was established to recognize the contributions of Academy Fellows and Members in selflessly providing medical eye care. Each year, this award is presented to two individuals for their participation in charitable activities, indigent care, community service or other humanitarian activity.

Secretariat Award
The Secretariat Award recognizes ophthalmologists for special contributions to the Academy and ophthalmology. Recipients are selected by the Senior Secretaries and Secretaries in their respective areas and approved by the Board of Trustees. This annual award was developed to increase opportunities for ophthalmologists to be recognized for contributions that are outside of the scope of the current Achievement Award Program.

Special Recognition Award
First awarded in 1991, the Special Recognition Award is presented to an individual or organization for outstanding service in a specific effort or cause that improves the quality of eye care. The recipient need not be an ophthalmologist.

Straatsma Award for Excellence in Resident Education
The Straatsma Award for Excellence in Resident Education was established through the Academy, the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology and private funds, and is given to a program director dedicated to the principles and significance of residency education.