Clinical Education: We've Got an App for That!

In response to popular demand, the Academy launched the free AAO Ophthalmic Education App (iPhone l Android). Now, from the convenience of your mobile device, you can get trusted information quickly with a personalized content feed. Receive alerts as new content is published, bookmark articles and videos, test yourself with weekly case quizzes, reference EyeWiki^® articles and log in to the full AAO.org site with a single click. Knowledge is power.

Sometimes, One Equals Thousands

The Academy’s Ophthalmic News and Education (ONE^®) Network is a treasure trove of clinical articles and media, free to all members. The past year saw hundreds of additions to the collections of videos, news and CME activities, maintaining its reign as the world’s largest online compendium of ophthalmic knowledge.

Our D.C. Superheroes Fought for Justice

From Capitol Hill to California, the Academy advocated for our profession and defeated policies that would thwart our ability to function in the best interest of our patients. We fought to ensure fair value for surgery. We supported the CREATES act, which curtails drug makers who cause costs to rise. We took on shortages of Avastin and other important treatments. We led a coalition to introduce legislation protecting patients from unreasonable Medicare Advantage plans that delay or deny access to necessary care. And we continue to work to reduce administrative burdens that cost you time and money.

IRIS Registry Saves Ophthalmologists $208 Million

For U.S. members, participating in the IRIS^® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) is the best way to report quality measures for the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). In 2018, we avoided more penalties than ever.

Members Stepped Up for the New Museum of the Eye

In late 2017, the Academy Foundation embraced an audacious goal to raise $12 million for a new, brick-and-mortar museum at Academy headquarters in San Francisco. The wheels were set in motion when we received record-breaking gifts from Stanley M. Truhlsen, MD, and Michael F. Marmor, MD. By the end of 2019, we surpassed $11 million, thanks to the benevolence of our members, industry sponsors and the public. The Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye™ will be the only publicly accessible, comprehensive collection of ophthalmic artifacts on permanent display in the world. It will open in early 2020.

Inspiration Connected Us at AAO 2019

Bold ideas. Powerful insights. At AAO 2019, nearly 23,000 of us connected, discussed, debated and strategized. And some of you made it into our Highlights Video.

AAO 2019 Scientific Program by the Numbers:

• 297 AAO & AAOE instruction courses
• 60 spotlights/symposia
• 88 Skills Transfer labs & didactics
• 87 papers
• 544 scientific posters
• 55 surgical videos

Register and book your hotel room for AAO 2020 starting April 8.

EyeSmart Broke Records with 3 Million Monthly Page Views

The public is hungry for reliable eye health information, and the Academy delivers. EyeSmart^®, the Academy’s public education website, crossed another milestone in 2019, achieving more than 3 million page views a month. That’s 3 million chances for a reader to avoid misinformation and protect their sight. Ophthalmology practices are encouraged to link their websites and social media channels to EyeSmart.

EyeCare America Rewrites the Future

James “Pete” Hastert has diabetes but hadn’t seen a doctor in years. Angela Franklin was challenged by the cost of an eye exam. Both patients received potentially sight-saving exams through their EyeCare America^® volunteer ophthalmologists, Joseph J. Chappell Jr., MD, and Oluwatosin Smith, MD. You, too, can rewrite futures; volunteer for this Academy program from the comfort of your office today.

We Spanned the Globe

Through the Rotary Club Host Project and the Education Distribution Project, the Academy furthers the education of our colleagues in developing countries who in turn provide sight-saving care to thousands of patients.

In 2019, Global Outreach:

• Distributed more than 400 bags of books to AAO 2019 attendees
• Provided 136 full sets of the 13-volume BCSC
• Hosted 46 ophthalmologists at AAO 2019 (photo)
• Provided ONE Network access to 53,119 ophthalmologists in 65 developing countries

Our Membership Is Evolving

As the Academy’s membership demographics and practice settings shift and the pace of change intensifies, we’re developing new programs like the physician wellness initiative to support you and your practice.

Academy Revenue and Expenses for Fiscal 2018-19