International Ophthalmology Horizons International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies (IFOS) and International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO)Milestones, Statutes and Regulations

Purpose: To provide an understanding of the structure, role, and responsibility of the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies (IFOS), the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO), and the International Congress of Ophthalmology (World Ophthalmology Congress). These established entitites recently modified their statutes and regulations. The ICO also expanded the Regulations for the new Awards.

Methods: The International Council of Ophthalmology, which serves as the executive body of the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies, used historical operating documents to prepare the statutes and regulations.

Results: The statutes and regulations of the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies, the International Council of Ophthalmology, and the International Congress of Ophthalmology are available to supranational ophthalmological organizations, national ophthalmological societies, other ophthalmological organizations, and individual ophthalmologists.

Conclusions: The statutes and regulations of the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies, the International Council of Ophthalmology, and the International Congress of Ophthalmology provide a basis for an organizational structure in international ophthalmology. The International Congress of Ophthalmology, first held in 1857, is the longest continuing international meeting in medicine. The International Council of Ophthalmology was established in 1927, and the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies was formed in 1933. These organizations coordinate the International Congress of Ophthalmology, which convenes with the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies every 4 years (after 2006 every 2 years). The International Council, as the executive body, meets annually. The International Council of Ophthalmology has for decades worked to coordinate and facilitate interchange, education, and standards in international ophthalmology.¹

2 Italic/kursiv In the Statutes indicate approval by the ICO in Firence, on May 11, 2005. Ho­wever, approval by the General Assembly of IFOS in Sao Paulo in Feb. 2006 is still pending.