About the ICO/IFOS:

International Council of Ophthalmology Meeting Minutes, May 20, 2000, Jerusalem, Israel

On this page:

• Present
  
  
• Unable To Attend
  
  
• Guests and Observers
  
  
• I. Welcome, Introduction & Meeting Logistics
  
  
• II. Approval of Minutes
  
  
• III. Report of the President
  
  
• IV. Report of the Treasurer
  
  
• V. Report of the Secretary General
  
  
• VI. Report of the President of IAPB
  
  
• VII. Progress Report of the XXIX International Congress – Sydney 2002
  
  
• VIII. Progress Report of the XXX International Congress – Brazil 2006
  
  
• IX. Discussion of XXXI (2010) and XXXII (2014) Congress
  
  
• X. ICO Website
  
  
• XI. Report of Standing Committees
  
  
• XII. International Congress Committee Report
  
  
• XIII. Unfinished Business
  
  
• XIV. New Business
  
  
• XV. Adjournment
  
  
• XVI. Special Action Proposed

Present:

Gottfried O. H. Naumann, MD, President
Mark O. M. Tso, MD, Vice President
Bruce E. Spivey, MD, Secretary General
Balder Gloor, MD, Treasurer
Akira Nakajima, MD, Honorary President for Life
Rubens Belfort Jr., MD
Jean-Jacques DeLaey, MD
August F. Deutman, MD
Hanna Faal, MD
Peter Hardy-Smith, MD
Frank J. Martin, MD
Luc Missotten, MD
Pran N. Nagpal, MD
Yves Pouliquen, MD
Prachak Prachakvej, MD
Peter Watson, MD

Unable To Attend:

Adenike Abiose, MD
Benjamin Boyd, MD
Akef El-Maghraby, MD
Paul R. Lichter, MD
Arthur S. M. Lim, MD
Alvaro Rodriguez, MD
Abdel Latif Siam, MD
Bradley R. Straatsma, MD
Bjorn Tengroth, MD

Guests and Observers:

Frank Billson, MD
Michael Blumenthal, MD
Rosario Brancato, MD
William Felch
David Noonan
Gullapalli Rao, MD
S. Selvarahjah, MD
E. Randolph Simpson, MD
Yasuo Tano, MD
Georges Yaya, MD
Zbigniew Zagorski, MD

I. Welcome, Introduction & Meeting Logistics

President Naumann opened the meeting by welcoming the members, guests and observers. He extended his gratitude to Drs. Blumenthal and Ben Ezra for their gracious hospitality and the many courtesies extended to the members of the ICO/ACICO/Academia during the meeting.

Dr. Spivey reviewed the scientific and social events for the meetings scheduled for the week.

II. Approval of Minutes

Action: The minutes of the ICO of February 24, 1999 were reviewed and approved as filed.

II. Selection of Members to Sign the Minutes:

Action: By unanimous consent Drs. Rubens Belfort and Pran N. Nagpal were asked to sign the minutes as required for filing.

III. Report of the President

Dr. Naumann noted that with 50 million blind individuals in the world, the 150,000 ophthalmologists have no reason for complacency. He reported that with 150 national societies eligible for membership in IFOS only one half pay dues.

In describing the strengths of ICO/IFOS, he included the assets as follows:

1. A network of variable density consisting of the ca 135 national ophthalmologic societies within IFOS exists – spanning the globe and consisting of ca 150,000 ophthalmologists (again of varying competence)
   
   
2. IFOS/ICO continues to be officially linked to the WHO (letter of Brundtland to you of March 16, 2000)
   
   
3. IFOS and the World Blind Union founded IAPB in January 1975 (temporarily forgotten by some NGOs): the "WHO/IAPB Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness: VISION 2020 – the Right to Sight" therefore is also our project and deserves our support
   
   
4. "The International Congress of Ophthalmology" every 4 years (leading up to the 29th in Sydney in April 2002): discussions are active to call this in the future also "World Congress of Ophthalmology"
   
   
5. The "ICO Basic and Clinical Science Assessments Tests" developed by Peter Watson/Cambridge- and taken annually by over 1000 candidates from more than 40 countries
   
   
6. A growing website presence: www.icoph.org
   The IFOS/ICO Newsletter developed by Pran Nagpal of India
   
   
7. International Policy Statements, e.g. ban on laser-blinding weapons and now also in support of ban on landmines
   
   
8. Access to experts in all areas of eye care
   
   
9. Very strong advisory support by the Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis (consisting of 49 members from 23 countries)
   

Dr. Naumann suggested the group could consider the major weaknesses of International Ophthalmology as:

1. The inequity in distribution of ophthalmologists vs. patient needs.
   
   
2. The expanding confusion of organizations within ophthalmology.
   
   
3. The overwhelming need for ophthalmology to organize in order to speak with one voice.

Action: The ICO members adopted a motion that the President draft a letter to all national societies urging the mandatory inclusion of ophthalmology in all medical school curricula.

Action: The ICO members adopted a motion that all IFOS members societies be requested to actively participate in the "World Sight Day" during the second Thursday in October each year.

Action: The ICO members adopted a motion that all IFOS member societies be directed to support the "VISION 2020 Campaign" in their nations.

Action: The ICO members adopted a motion to notify the WHO and the United Nations Secretariat of the ICO strong support for a total ban on antipersonnel landmines.

Action: The ICO members adopted a motion to recommend to all IFOS member nations training institutions to include 5% of their open positions for international physician participants.

IV. Report of the Treasurer

Dr. Gloor presented the Treasurers/Auditors Report (See Attachment 1), the Dues Report (See Attachment 2) and the proposed budget for 2000 & 2001 (See Attachment 3).

Action: The Auditor Report was filed, noting the value of reserves as a security against money value fluctuation. A further note included recognition that gift to the Christoffel Blindenmission (recorded in US dollars) was for the Task Force of the IAPB regarding VISION 2020.

Action: The Treasurers Report was filed.

Action: The ICO members agreed that the budget should include funds to provide secretarial support for Drs. Spivey and Gloor.

The ICO members agreed with the intent to use funds available within the next 2-3 years rather than continue to build a larger reserve.

Dr. Gloor proposed formation of an ICO/IFOS fellowship.

The ICO asked Drs. Tso, Rao, and Ron Smith to form a task force under the guidance of Dr. Gloor to develop a proposal wherein the ICO would support short-term (3 months) fellowships. Two-thirds of the fellowships should be reserved for individuals who successfully completed the ICO/IFOS Clinical Assessment Test.

V. Report of the Secretary General

Dr. Spivey began his remarks by stressing the need for rapid communication among members of the ICO. He urged all members to establish electronic mail services and to provide him with the addresses as soon as possible.

He noted future and pending meeting sites as:

2001 – Buenos Aires, July 19-21
2002 – Sydney, April 19-21
2003 – India or Thailand
2004 – Open
2005 – Berlin (pending)
2006 – Brazil, Rio de Janeiro or São Paolo (site pending)
2010 – Berlin/India/Jerusalem/Barcelona/South Africa (pending)
2014 – India (pending)

Dr. Spivey confirmed IFOS/ICO designation by WHO and suggested that Serge Resnikoff be invited as an official observer to the ACICO, replacing Bjorn Thylefors.

He also reported that the statutes of the IFOS/ICO are now registered in Zurich and will be published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology in the autumn of this year.

He expressed his frustration in trying to establish communication with IFOS member organization leaders and pledged his continued efforts to expand communication- communication and communication.

Once again Dr. Spivey urged supranational organizational meetings include a gathering of IFOS members from the region.

Action: Dr. Hoskins was asked to seek a meeting of the American IFOS representatives at the meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology each year.

VI. Report of the President of IAPB

Dr. Faal presented a detailed report filed here as Attachment 4.

Of particular interest to the ICO was her diagram outlining the role of organization in linking the ICO strategic efforts and the VISION 2020 plan.

Dr. Faal suggests that a pledge of 1% of ophthalmology income worldwide would fund the necessary activities to ensure success of the combined plans.

VII. Progress Report of the XXIX International Congress – Sydney 2002

Drs. Peter Hardy-Smith and Frank Martin presented their report included here as Attachment 5.

VIII. Progress Report of the XXX International Congress – Brazil 2006

Dr. Belfort reported that the city site for the meeting is still pending in attempts to gain the best locale for the meeting.

He requested and received clarification that the national society of the host country defines the scientific program for the Congress. It was suggested to Dr. Belfort refer organizational questions regarding the Congress to the ICO Committee on Congress.

Dr. Belfort suggests that in a modern era the "International Congress" of Ophthalmology might enjoy greater market impact if the name was changed to "Global" Congress or "World" Congress. Many ICO members found the concept of a name change appealing but support the idea that such a change should include at least subtext referring to the numerical designation of the International Congress.

Action: The subject of renaming the Congress will be placed on the agenda of the IFOS general meeting in Sydney.

IX. Discussion of XXXI (2010) and XXXII (2014) Congress

See Secretary General's Report of site above.

X. ICO Website

(See Attachment 6)

Action: The website plan was adopted as presented.

Dr. Spivey noted that the success of this effort demands that a knowledgeable, effective leader be selected to be the editor of the web and who will work with the leadership to define and fill the content required. Dr. Spivey asked the ICO members to suggest names to him for the position.

XI. Report of Standing Committees

a. Report of Advisory Committee
Dr. DeLaey presented the Advisory Committee Report. (See Attachment 7)

Action: The ICO members agreed to address the issue of committee membership/turnover at its next meeting, but did vote unanimously to add Drs. Selvarahjah and Pararajasegaram, to invite Dr. Resnikoff to replace Dr. Thylefors.

Action: The ICO members supported developing a single definition of blindness and offered to assist the task force in its deliberations. Drs. DeLaey, Tso, Faal, & Spivey were asked to begin the effort as a task force.

b. Report of the WHO Advisory Committee and the 2020 Global Initiative (See Attachment 4 & 8)
Action: Reports filed with an expression of gratitude to Drs. Faal, Rao, and Naumann for their work in bringing the programs to life.

c. Report of the Education Committee
Dr. Watson provided a verbal report indicating 1250 applicants this year. 780 individuals took the basic exam and 196 took the clinical exam.

The total number of countries taking the exam is growing and in some countries the exams are being used as substitutes for admission requirements for Residency admission. Other countries use the exam as a part of Residency evaluations.

The next exams will take place March 29, 2001.

Dr. Watson was pleased to note that the financial results have exceeded the plan to balance the books within 5 years wherein they already have balanced almost a year early.

Action: The ICO members adopted a motion to reset the fees to:

Basic Exam: _ 150 CHF 330
Optic Exam: _ 75 CHF 165
Clinical Exam: _ 210 CHF 465

Dr. Watson confirmed that the high score winners will be awarded prizes of new textbooks at the appropriate national meetings.

d. Report of Standards Committee
No report filed.

e. Reports of Supranational Committees

1. Pan-Arab African Council of Ophthalmologists
   No report received.
   
   
2. Afro-Arab Society of Ophthalmology
   No report filed
   
   
3. Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology
   See Attachment 9.
   
   
4. Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
   Dr. Verdaguer expressed his hope that all members will participate in the meeting next year. Dr. Bateman is in charge of the Scientific Program and she hopes to include many of the ICO members in the program.
   
   
5. Societies Ophthalmologica Europae
   No report filed.

XII. International Congress Committee Report

No committee action took place since the last meeting.

Action: Dr. Naumann requested that the committee take time to meet while in Israel.

(Note: the ICO members recessed the meeting at this point in the agenda in order to participate in a wide-ranging discussion of the ICO Strategic Plan with members of the Advisory Committee and Academia. The ICO members reconvened to complete their deliberations.)

XIII. Unfinished Business

1. After prolonged discussion of the kind invitations to meet in India or Thailand in the year 2003, the ICO determined to accept the invitation to meet in New Delhi in conjunction with the AIOS in February.
   
   
   
2. IFOS Membership
   Dr. Gloor renewed his plea to get member states to pay their dues.
   
   
3. "Book" of International Ophthalmology
   Dr. Spivey and Dr. Naumann will continue to expand the concept
   
   
4. Teacher "Availability" upon Retirement
   The website seen as a natural element to post this opportunity
   
   
5. Newsletter Progress Report
   Dr. Nagpal indicated that he could only report the news when it has been submitted. He urges members of the ICO to submit news items to him.
   The ICO members expressed their gratitude to Dr. Nagpal for his efforts in bringing the newsletter into reality.
   
   
6. Trademark & Logo
   The ICO members decided not to make any changes at this time.
   
   
7. WHO Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, & Handicaps
   The ICO members expressed hope that Dr. DeLaey's Task Force on the definition of Blindness will contribute to this effort.
   
   
8. ICO Relationships to Subspecialty Societies
   (See Attachment 10)

After Dr. Nakajima presented his reports, the ICO members stressed the need to link the ICO to International Subspecialty Societies. They suggested that on the next ICO agenda an item be placed to more precisely define the Advisory Committee, and that there should be a mechanism to involve appropriate International Subspecialty Societies.

Action: It was suggested that the ICO should develop a plan for defining membership in the ACICO including representation, rotation, tenure, and reporting requirements.

XIV. New Business

1. Alerts to members of Societies of IFOS:
   
   

   The importance of developing frequent and rapid communication to IFOS member societies is seen as the best method of gaining visibility for the ICO and support from the IFOS Societies.

   Communications to the Presidents of IFOS member societies, to members of those societies directly, and utilization of the ICO website were all viewed as vital links to the IFOS members.

2. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has agreed to add an ICO link to its website.
   
   
3. Being partial to the developing world.

When resources are available, the ICO members agree that meetings of the ICO can be held within the annual meetings of National Societies of developing nations.

Conducting or sponsoring symposia or instruction courses by the ICO at large national society meetings in developing nations was viewed as impractical by the ICO. It was clear that individual program directors must be allowed to design their programs and to seek the best speakers possible.

The ICO members were intrigued by the concept of developing a traveling Basic Science Course patterned after the successful Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology experience.

Action: Drs. Belfort and Faal were asked to explore the concept of a traveling Basic Science Course for the ICO.

Action: The ICO expressed their deep gratitude to Luc Missotten for his excellent service to the ICO as this was his last meeting serving as President of the SOE.

XV. Adjournment

Dr. Naumann expressed his thanks to the ICO members and guests for their contributions to the meeting and accepted a motion for adjournment.

XVI. Special Action Proposed

Inadvertently, the action to form the GONIN and FRANCOIS MEDAL Nominating Committees was not included in the business meeting.

The ICO Executive Committee had proposed the following colleagues as the committee to propose the nominees for the GONIN MEDAL awardee in 2002 in Sydney:

Douglas Costar, MD – Australia
Arthur Lim, MD – Singapore
Robert Machemen – United States
Enrique Malbran, MD – Argentina
Pran Nath Nagpal, MD – India

And ex officio:

Leonidas Zografos, MD – Professor & Chairman,
Dept. of Ophthalmology, Lausanne, Switzerland
Gottfried O. H. Naumann, MD – President, ICO,
Erlangen, Germany

Alternatives (listed in alphabetical order) in case one of the proposed members is unable to accept the nomination:

Rubens Belfort, MD – Brazil
Anthony Murray, MD – South Africa
Mark Tso, MD – United States

The following colleagues have been proposed as the committee to propose nominees for the awardee for the FRANCOIS MEDAL for 2002 in Sydney:

Timothy ffytche, MD – United Kingdom
Jean-Jacques DeLaey, MD – Belgium
Koichi Shimizu, MD – Japan
Bradley Straatsma, MD – United States
Randolph Simpson, MD – Canada

And ex officio:

Marie-Jose Tassignon, MD – President, Francois Foundation, University of Ziekenhuis, Antwerp, Belgium
Gottfried O. H. Naumann, MD – President, ICO, Erlangen, Germany

Alternatives (listed in alphabetical order) in case one of the proposed members in unable to accept the nomination:

Alan Bird, MD – United Kingdom
Balder Gloor, MD – Switzerland
Morton Goldberg, MD – United States

If any member of the ICO has major questions or concerns regarding either list, please contact Dr. Naumann prior to September 15, 2000.

Next: Committee Reports

Also see: ICO, IFOS and Ophthalmologic Society News