Draft:American Society of Ophthalmic Trauma

The American Society of Ophthalmic Trauma (ASOT). is a professional medical association founded in 2020 to advance the science and practice of ophthalmic traumatology.

History and Mission
There is a long history of individuals and organizations dedicated to the advancement of ophthalmic trauma, most prominent of which are Ferenc Kuhn, MD, PhD, who developed the gold standard in ocular trauma classification, the Birmingham Eye Terminology ,ref>https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/2794495 and was a lead in the development of the Ocular Trauma Score , military ophthalmologist Robert A. Mazzoli, MD, FACS, Col (retired) US Army and Francis G. La Piana, MD, FACS, Col (retired) MC, US Army, who together advanced the field of military ophthalmic trauma care from Vietnam up until present times.

Multiple international ophthalmic trauma organizations are in existence including International Society of Ocular Trauma (ISOT) and the Asia Pacific Society of Ophthalmic Trauma (APOTS). The American Society of Ocular Trauma was founded in 1988 but unfortunately became inactive in 2013. In 2018, in response to an ongoing and rising tide of interest in organizing ophthalmic trauma, the American Academy of Ophthalmology formed the Ocular Trauma Group, which in January, 2022, established an independent society, the ASOT.

The ASOT mission is to advance the science of eye trauma prevention and management through education of doctors, first responders, and the general public, develop national eye trauma policy, prepare eye care during disasters, advance evidence-based research in eye trauma, and coordinate efforts in these areas with other professional organizations, the United States military, and government agencies.

The organization has made significant strides in advancing the field of eye trauma. The nascent AAO Eye Trauma Group collaborated with the Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company to craft online informed consent templates for ophthalmic trauma surgery. Working closely with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the ASOT has created online continuing medical education courses, established and maintains an ophthalmic trauma section in EyeWiki (the online eye resource for ophthalmologists), cosponsored an online eye trauma journal club ,and presented instruction courses and symposia at the Annual Meetings of the AAO , including a sports eye injury symposium in 2023. Along with the AAO, the ASOT has issued press releases to the public regarding prevention of eye injury. In 2022-2023, the ASOT cosponsored the four part online International Symposium: Wartime Ophthalmic Trauma for the Ukraine. The ASOT produces a periodic ophthalmic trauma newsletter. The ASOT has been featured on EyeTea.com podcast discussion. The ASOT is currently working with the United States Health and Human Services Administration for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to formally organize disaster eye care, including organization and training of volunteer ophthalmologists in the ASPR Medical Reserve Corps and National Disaster Medical Service, inclusion of eye supplies in the Strategic national Stockpile , and development of a nationwide speaker miniseries for ASPR.

The ASOT holds an annual two day meeting which includes trauma lectures, case presentations, and a surgical wet labfor eye trauma. At their annual meetings, the ASOT bestows awards to leaders in ophthalmic trauma:

Founders Award
2021 Grant Justin

Kuhn Award: given to the most outstanding individual in the field of ophthalmic traumatology

2022 Robert Morris MD

2023 James Auran MD

2024 Rupesh Agrawal MD

LaPiana-Mazzoli Award: given to the most outstanding individual in military traumatology

2022 Anthony Johnson MD

2023 Richard Blanche MD

2024 William Madigan MD

Presidents of the ASOT:

2020-2021 James Auran MD

2022-2023 Fasika Woreta MD PhD

2024-2025 Grant Justin MD