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For information on how
to get involved with the Section on Ophhthalmology or for further information about specific Section activities, contact Niccole Alexander
at nalexander@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
American 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 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 Ophthalmology 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 interdisciplinary 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 sponsors a lecture 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 Niccole
Alexander at nalexander@aap.org. |
