Criteria and Expectations

To be eligible for membership in the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO), organizations must:

• Be a not-for-profit society or association.
• Be composed of ophthalmologists and others who work with ophthalmologists, or be composed of ophthalmological societies or ophthalmic organizations.
• Have regular election of officers.
• Hold regular governing board meetings.
• Be willing to pay ICO dues and name an official Representative to participate in the ICO General Assembly every two years.
• Support the goals and programs of the ICO.
• Be approved by the ICO.

National ophthalmologic societies must also:

• Represent ophthalmologists primarily in one country, and 
• Be the primary or one of the primary ophthalmologic societies in that country.

Subspecialty and related societies must also:

• Represent ophthalmologists in a subspecialty or other area of interest closely tied to ophthalmology (e.g., ophthalmic education or research).
• Have a substantial international membership, preferably at least 100 members.
• Sponsor regular meetings that attract an audience from many countries.

The ICO expects all Members to:

• Provide input into ICO policies, programs, and initiatives.
• Name an official Representative (preferably an officer who will have some continuity) to participate the ICO General Assembly at the World Ophthalmology Congress® every two years.
• Name an Advocate to work with the ICO on advocacy issues.
• Pay dues of 3 Swiss Francs per member per year.

Download ICO Membership Criteria (PDF – 2 MB)