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<< Join the Section on
Ophthalmology at
50% off dues today! >>
<< Membership Criteria >>
For information on how to get
involved with the Section on
Ophthalmology,
or for further information about
specific Section activities,
contact Jennifer Riefe at
jriefe@aap.org.
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The Section on Ophthalmology (SOOp), founded in 1987, is dedicated to improving the care of infants, children
and adolescents by providing an educational forum for the discussion of problems and treatments related to
ophthalmologic conditions in children. Membership in the Section is open to physicians boarded by the Ameri-
can Board of Ophthalmology who devote 50% of their practice to the care of infants, children, and adolescents
under the age of 15. The SOOp is also open to Post Residency Training Fellows, Candidate Fellows and
orthoptists.
The Section is active in fostering cooperation on children's eye health issues, both academic and political, with
the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) as well as the American Association for Pediatric Ophthal-
mology and Strabismus (AAPOS). SOOp acts as an expert resource for the AAP by developing policies in areas
such as retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy, and establishing guidelines for ophthalmologic
examinations in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
At the AAP National Conference & Exhibition, the Section proposes educational topics that would be of interest
to the general pediatrician. In addition, SOOp co-sponsors a booth on the exhibit floor with AAPOS to further
educate attendees about pediatric ophthalmology. "Why Can't EYE Learn? Learning Differences and Visual
Perception from a Pediatric Ophthalmology and Neuropsychology Perspective" is one example of the Section's
ongoing commitment to ophthalmologic education. This session introduced participants to the interdisciplinary
science of learning differences and presented strategies on how to identify signs and subtle mannerisms, as
well as the physical indications that signal a learning problem. Participants learned testing processes used to
accurately assess a child's learning problem. School placement services, in addition to special disability and
educational law services available to assist children and parents were discussed. The need for an inter-
disciplinary approach with learning difference children including primary pediatrics, pediatric specialties
including ophthalmology, otolaryngology, neurology, and psychiatry plus education, psychology and legal
specialties, and paramedical practices were stressed throughout the course.
In addition, the Section on Ophthalmology sponsors a lectureship honoring Leonard Apt, MD, FAAP who was
the first fellowship-trained pediatric ophthalmologist, having completed residency training in both pediatrics and
ophthalmology. For more information on the lectureship, please contact Jennifer Riefe at jriefe@aap.org. |
