Join the American Society of Retina Specialists

Member

• An ophthalmologist who has completed a vitreoretinal fellowship of one year or more
• Currently engaged in an active practice with a significant percentage of time devoted to instruction, research, or patient care in retina and vitreous diseases
• Unrestricted license to practice medicine in one or more of the United States or in Canada
• Board certified by the ABO, AOBO or equivalent in Canada
• Shall provide the names of two referring ASRS members
• Application fee of $150 at the time of application submission and annual dues thereafter
• All regular member applicants who completed fellowships in 2016 or after are required to complete an Activity Log as part of the membership application process:
  • Register for the Activity Log
  • ASRS Activity Log must meet all required standards before your application will be reviewed
• All Members have the right to vote and be eligible to hold office

International Member

• An ophthalmologist who has completed a vitreoretinal fellowship (or equivalent in their country)
• Currently engaged in an active practice with a significant percentage of time devoted to instruction, research, or patient care in retina and vitreous diseases
• Board certified as appropriate in their country
• Shall provide the names of two referring ASRS members
• Application fee of $150 at the time of application submission and annual dues thereafter. Application fee waived and discounted annual dues for International physicians who reside in countries classified in group A or B by Research4Life.
• All International Members have the right to vote and be eligible to hold office

Internationally Trained US Member

• An ophthalmologist who has completed a vitreoretinal fellowship in the US, Canada, or equivalent in their country
• An ophthalmologist who has completed some or all of their medical training internationally but now lives in the US permanently
• Currently engaged in an active practice meeting ASRS standards with a significant percentage of time devoted to instruction, research, or patient care in retina and vitreous diseases
• Holds a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine in one or more of the United States or in Canada
• Does not require ABO evaluation or certification
• Shall provide the names of two referring ASRS members
• Application fee of $150 at the time of application submission and annual dues thereafter
• All Members have the right to vote and be eligible to hold office

• Currently engaged in a 1- or 2- year fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases in the US or Canada
• Completion of an approved residency in ophthalmology
• Applicants’ fellowship director must complete our fellowship verification form, which will be sent to them by the ASRS at the time of application submission
• Regular participation in ASRS Fellow’s Activity Log is required for membership to remain active. Click Here to learn more about the Activity Log, or Click Here to register
• Ineligible to hold office or vote

International Fellow-in-Training (FIT)

• Currently engaged in a fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases outside the US or Canada
• Completion of an approved residency in ophthalmology
• Applicants’ fellowship director must complete our fellowship verification form, which will be sent to them by the ASRS at the time of application submission
• Ineligible to hold office or vote

Fellow-in-Training upgrade guidelines:

Following completion of fellowship, FIT and International FIT members have six months to submit an application to upgrade to either regular or international membership in order to remain active members of the society. FIT Members who do not become board certified within six months of fellowship completion will be offered a 1 year FIT provisional membership and will be required to pay regular member dues for that year. If a FIT does not complete the upgrade process within the 6 month requirement and/or does not pay their FIT provisional membership dues, they will be required to reapply for membership and pay any corresponding application fees. Please contact the ASRS for further information including upgrade application deadlines.

• Has matched into a US or Canadian ophthalmology program and has started the integrated PGY1 year or ophthalmology residency. (Please note that currently we are unable to accept applications from international ophthalmology programs.)
• Applicants’ residency program director must provide a confirmation letter. Download the template for completion by the residency program director prior to beginning your application. Other forms of documentation cannot be substituted for the Resident Director letter.
• Ineligible to hold office or vote
• Allowed to hold status as a Resident member until June 30 of the last year of ophthalmology residency. Upon successful match into a medical retina or surgical retina fellowship, the resident member is permitted to submit a request for transition of membership status.
• A resident member is eligible to submit and present in the poster category at the annual meeting if sponsored by a regular ASRS member.

A physician or scientist employed by a pharmaceutical, medical device or other health care organization whose professional focus is on the field of retina and vitreous diseases is eligible to become a Corporate Affiliate of the Society upon application and approval by the Society’s Credentials Committee and upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Members of the Board of Directors. Applicants shall submit a letter of request outlining their qualifications and desire to become a member. They must also provide two letters of recommendation from current ASRS Board of Director members and one recommendation letter from a current Member or International Member of the Society. Applicants shall pay an application fee at the time of their application submission and annual dues thereafter. A Corporate Affiliate may not vote or hold office or serve on Committees of the Society and shall pay such fees as are determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. A Corporate Affiliate may, if sponsored by a Member, participate in the Scientific Meetings of the Society, and may have access to such publications, programs and other Society benefits as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. An individual’s status as a Corporate Affiliate shall terminate upon termination of the individual’s employment by the pharmaceutical, medical device or other corporation or upon action by the Board of Directors taken in its sole discretion.

An ophthalmologist, physician or holder of a graduate degree who has made a major scientific contribution (*) to the field of retina and vitreous diseases is eligible to become a Scientific Associate of the Society upon approval by the Society’s Credentials Committee and upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors. Full-time corporate employees are not eligible to apply in this membership category.

Applicants shall submit a letter of request outlining their qualifications and desire to become a member. They must also provide two letters of recommendation from current ASRS Board of Director members and one recommendation letter from a current Member or International Member of the Society. Applicants shall pay an application fee at the time of their application submission and annual dues thereafter. A Scientific Associate may not vote or hold office or serve on committees of the Society and shall pay such fees as are determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. Scientific Associates may participate in the Scientific Meetings of the Society, including paper abstracts for the Annual Meeting, and may have access to such publications, programs and other Society benefits as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. The Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may at any time terminate the position of any Scientific Associate.

(*) Major contributions include:
Invented or patented a new device or therapy.
Discovered a biomarker.
Held a key role in the development of a new tool for retina specialists.
Principle Investigator (including responsibility for trial design and conception) for consortium studies, such as DRCR.net, to make substantial advances in the clinical care of retina disease.

• Applicant currently works as the practice administrator for a current ASRS member’s practice
• Initial enrollment form will be completed and submitted by the ASRS member for his/her practice administrator
• Applicant practice administrator shall pay a reduced dues fee from those set for members and international members. Dues are $100 per year for practice administrator members.
• Once enrolled, practice administrators will receive a welcome email with instructions on how to complete an online member profile.

Learn more about Practice Administrator Membership