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{Title} Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics

The Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (AOPT) (http://www.aopt.org) is an organization that welcomes members from disciplines related to ocular pharmacology and its therapeutic applications. The main purpose of AOPT is to encourage research, training, publication, and dissemination of knowledge in ocular pharmacology and therapeutics. AOPT has a diverse leadership and membership which include principal investigators, scientists, medical professionals, technicians, and students with an interest in ocular pharmacology and therapeutics.

Mission & Vision
The mission of AOPT is to serve as a global forum for the exchange of information about ocular pharmacology to meet the needs of vision scientists and eye care professionals for the advancement of vision research and the treatment of ophthalmic disorders worldwide.

Our vision for this organization is to be recognized throughout the world as the premier scientific society and forum for pharmacology of the eye. AOPT uses innovative techniques for publication and dissemination of research findings through its journal, the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (http://www.liebertpub.com/jop), and biennial scientific meetings.

History
AOPT was begun informally in the 1970’s by Dr. George Chiou (Texas A&M University) as special sessions (Symposium on Ocular Pharmacology) at FASEB (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) conferences.

It grew from there to an official separate Symposium of Ocular Pharmacology meeting of academicians, clinicians, and pharmaceutical industry at Novi, Michigan in August 1993 (hosted by Dr. Hitoshi Shichi of Wayne State University, Kresge Eye Institute). The participants voted to charter the organization and this was accomplished the next year with the first AOPT meeting held in New Orleans, Louisiana in January 1995 (hosted by Dr. Herbert Kaufman of LSU Eye Center). The founding Board comprised Drs. George Chiou (President), David Lee (Vice-President), Hitoshi Shichi (Treasurer), and Herbert Kaufman (Trustee).

During those early FASEB years, Dr. Chiou also established the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology which continues to this day under the aegis of AOPT as the peer-reviewed Journal of Ocular Pharmacology & Therapeutics (JOPT).

Meetings
To fulfill its mission, AOPT organizes biennial scientific meetings (http://www.aopt.org/meetings/next/) now held in February at venues around the world.

Past meetings:

Session topics are typically focused on new treatment approaches for retinal diseases, glaucoma (IOP and neuroprotection), ocular surface inflammation and infection, ocular blood flow, and myopia/eye development. Important related topics include pharmacokinetics, safety, drug delivery, nanotechnology, biomarkers, gene therapy, regeneration/stem cells, translational sciences, imaging technologies, and animal models.

Board of Directors
The board of directors of AOPT is made up of president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, and trustees. Composition of the current board can be found at http://www.aopt.org/aboutus/board:

President: Dr. Achim H. Krauss Vice-President: Dr. Thomas Yorio Treasurer: Dr. Ganesh Prasanna Secretary: Dr. Jeff Kiel Trustees: Dr. Abbot Clark, Dr. Julie Crider, Dr. Filippo Drago, Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald, Dr. Juana Gallar, Dr. Peter Kador, Dr. W. Daniel Stamer, Dr. Oliver Zeitz

Classes of Membership
There are four classes of membership in AOPT: Regular Members, Associate Members, Contributing Members, and Emeritus Members.
 * REGULAR MEMBERS. Regular Membership includes individuals demonstrating a genuine interest in or making significant contribution to ocular pharmacology and therapeutics. This may be evidenced by a) scientific publications; b) attendance at pharmacological, ophthalmological, optometric, or visual science meetings; c) direct involvement in research. A candidate for membership completes the online membership form and pays the appropriate membership dues. Membership is for two years. A subscription to the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics is optional.
 * ASSOCIATE MEMBERS. Associate Membership is for predoctoral and postdoctoral students. A candidate for this membership must have a predoctoral, or postdoctoral student status, and must complete the online membership form and pay the appropriate membership dues.
 * CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS. Contributing Membership is restricted to corporations, associations, and individuals who support the objectives of AOPT but do not satisfy the requirements of Regular Membership or individuals elected to membership in any class who voluntarily choose to become Contributing Members. A candidate for contributing membership completes the online membership form and pays the appropriate membership dues.
 * EMERITUS MEMBERS. Any Regular Member may make a written request to the Treasurer that his/her membership be transferred to that of an Emeritus Member. The request is subject to approval of the membership committee. Emeritus Members have all the rights and privileges of Regular Members, except those of voting and holding elective office.