External Pathway to ASOPRS Membership

For applicants who did not complete an ASOPRS-approved fellowship and who meet the following criteria:

  • Living and practicing in the United States or Canada
  • At least seven (7) years' experience in oculofacial plastic surgery (OPS)
  • Active participation in research, teaching, and/or advocacy in OPS
  • Certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology (or equivalent)
  • Active Fellow membership in the American Academy of Ophthalmology

External Pathway (EP) candidates have five (5) years to successfully complete all steps of the EP; candidates are nonmembers while completing the pathway and are not eligible for membership benefits until after they are inducted. 

Step 1: Application (due February 1)
The online application portal opens November 1. Applications submitted after the February 1 deadline will not be considered.

Documents required for application include:

  • Online application and fee
  • Surgical log of 2500 cases (deidentified patients) of OPS as primary surgeon after terminal training
  • American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) certification (or equivalent)
  • Curriculum Vitae showing the following:
    - A minimum of seven (7) years in practice devoted to OPS following initial ABO or RCPSC certification
    - Active participation in the field through teaching, research, scientific publications, lecturing, volunteering, and/or advocacy
  • Three (3) cases that illustrate the candidate's skill and proficiency in OPS. The cases should represent three out of the following four areas:
    - Periocular reconstruction
    - Lacrimal surgery
    - Orbital surgery
    - Facial cosmetic surgery (not including upper or lower blepharoplasty)
    The three cases must demonstrate complex decision-making or advanced techniques beyond those commonly performed by ophthalmology residents and include:
    - Pre- and postoperative notes of no less than three months' follow-up
    - Operative report(s) including photos when appropriate
    The Membership Committee may request associated unedited case-specific videos of the submitted cases.
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation emailed to [email protected] from ASOPRS members of at least eight (8) years which must include:
    - Attestation of the candidate's accomplishments, skills, training, and integrity with specific examples
    - Description of their knowledge of and affiliation to the candidate
    - Recommendation and endorsement of the candidate for membership

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the Membership Committee and no refunds of the application fee will be given.

Step 2: Membership Committee Review & Interview

Following application submission, the Membership Committee will review the application materials. If all criteria are satisfied, the Membership Committee will conduct a virtual interview of the candidate.  At the Fall Board Meeting, the Membership Committee will make their recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding whether the candidate should continue on the pathway to membership.

Step 3: Thesis

If the Board of Directors approves the candidate to continue on the membership pathway, the candidate must submit a thesis at the next submission deadline (March 1). The thesis must meet the Thesis Requirements and be submitted via the online Thesis Submission form.

If the thesis is not accepted, the candidate must submit a new thesis at the next submission deadline. If the thesis is rejected a second time, the candidate is required to reapply for membership.

Step 4: Examinations

If the thesis is accepted, the candidate must register for and take the Written and Oral Entrance Examinations at the next administration. Candidates can take the examinations a maximum of three times. If the candidate is unable to pass the exams in three attempts, they are required to reapply for membership.

Step 5: Induction

After passing the examinations, the candidate will be inducted at the next scheduled Spring Meeting.

Sample Timeline

YEAR 1
February 1    Application due
Spring          Membership Committee review of application
Summer      Virtual interviews
Fall                Recommendation to Board of Directors

YEAR 2
March 1        Thesis due
Spring          Thesis decision
Fall                Written and Oral Entrance Exams

YEAR 3
Spring          Induction to ASOPRS at Spring Scientific Symposium

Questions? Email [email protected]