Articles of Association
Articles of Association – define the objectives and structure of the APAO, liability and indemnification, conflict of interests and others.
Bye-laws
(Amended as per special resolution passed on February 4, 2026)
Bye-laws – contain provisions about officers of the APAO and their duties, standing committees, organization and meetings of the Council, membership and subscriptions, named awards and the annual congress.
BYE-LAW 1: THE PRESIDENT
1.1 The President’s term of office shall be two years from the conclusion of one congress to the conclusion of the second congress following.
1.2 The President shall take the Chair at all General Meetings of the Academy and all meetings of the Council.
1.3 The President shall have the right to call for meetings of the Council.
1.4 The President shall have a casting vote if necessary in addition to his/her vote as a member of the Council.
BYE-LAW 2: THE PRESIDENT-ELECT
2.1 There shall be one President-Elect who shall be elected by the Council.
2.2 The President-Elect shall be a Council Member and shall automatically become the President after the resignation or the conclusion of the term of office of the President for the time being.
2.3 All duties, powers and responsibilities of the President shall, in his absence, devolve upon the President-Elect for the time being, and in the event of his absence, upon one of the Vice-Presidents in the order of precedence specified in Bye-Law 3.3 below.
BYE-LAW 3: THE VICE-PRESIDENTS
3.1 The two Vice-Presidents shall be elected by the Council. They shall hold office for a term of two years, and shall be eligible for re-election for a term of another two years.
3.2 The Vice-Presidents shall assist the President in the dispatch of all matters and affairs of the Association.
3.3 Between the two Vice-Presidents, the one who has held office for a longer continuous period shall be given higher precedence. In the event that both Vice-Presidents have held office for an equal continuous period, precedence shall be given to the one who has served as a Council Member for a longer continuous period.
BYE-LAW 4: THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
4.1 The Secretary-General shall be elected by the Council, and s/he shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Academy. His/her term of office shall be for four years from the conclusion of one congress to the conclusion of the congress four years later. S/he shall be eligible for re-election for two more terms but shall not hold office for more than three consecutive terms.
4.2 S/he shall be responsible for all correspondence of the Academy.
4.3 S/he shall take action on all decisions of the General Meetings and the Council.
4.4 S/he shall call for Council Meetings and General Meetings.
4.5 S/he shall make a summary record of all General Meetings and Council Meetings, which shall be approved by the President, then circulated to all members within four months of the meeting.
4.6 S/he shall present a report on the activities of the Academy to the Council and at the General Meetings.
4.7 S/he shall be the custodian of the minute books and other records of the Academy.
4.8 S/he shall be entitled to recommend the appointment of the Deputy Secretary-General to the Council, approval for which would normally be deemed to be automatic.
BYE-LAW 5: THE DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL
5.1 The Deputy Secretary-General shall take on any duty of the Secretary-General as the Secretary-General decides appropriate.
BYE-LAW 6: THE TREASURER
6.1 The Treasurer of the Academy shall be elected by the Council and s/he shall be the custodian of the funds and accounts of the Academy, and shall be accountable to the Council and the membership as represented in General Meetings. His/her term of office shall be for two years from the conclusion of one congress to the conclusion of the second congress following. S/he shall be eligible for re-election for one more term.
6.2 S/he shall be responsible for collecting the subscription fees of members and other income of the Academy, and shall issue receipts promptly.
6.3 S/he shall pay all outgoings of the Academy as approved by the Council.
6.4 S/he shall present a Statement of Accounts of the Academy to the Council and at the General Meetings.
6.5 S/he shall prepare and present to the Council and at the General Meetings a budget for the next two years.
6.6 All cheques of the Academy shall be signed by the Treasurer or his/her designated representative and one of the following: the President, one of the Vice-Presidents, the Secretary-General or the Deputy Secretary-General.
BYE-LAW 7: REGIONAL SECRETARIES
7.1 There shall be one Regional Secretary for each national / territorial member of the Academy.
7.2 The Regional Secretary of a member organization shall be nominated by the member organization, and elected by the Council 5to serve on the Council for four years and shall be eligible for re-election provided his/her parent organization has agreed.
7.3 The Regional Secretary shall be responsible for disseminating information from the Academy to the ophthalmologists and others in his/her organization.
7.4 S/he shall also be responsible for gathering information from his/her nation or territory for the Academy.
7.5 S/he shall be responsible for collecting subscription fees from his/her parent organization to the Academy.
BYE-LAW 8: SUBSPECIALTY SECRETARIES
8.1 Each subspecialty member society shall be eligible to appoint a Subspecialty Secretary to join the Council.
8.2 The Subspecialty Secretary shall be nominated by the member organization, and elected by the Council to serve on the Council for four years and shall be eligible for re-election provided his/her parent organization has agreed.
8.3 The Subspecialty Secretary shall be responsible for disseminating information from the Academy to the ophthalmologists and others in his/her organization.
8.4 S/he shall also be responsible for gathering information from his/her subspecialty and society for the Academy.
8.5 S/he shall be responsible for collecting subscription fees from his/her parent organization to the Academy.
BYE-LAW 9: STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS
9.1 There shall be one Chair for each of the Standing Committees.
9.2 The Standing Committee Chair shall be recommended with reference to his/her expertise, ability, capability, reputation and stature, as well as willingness and eagerness to take up the responsibility.
9.3 Priority shall be given to individuals who are current leaders or potential future leaders in ophthalmology in the Asia-Pacific region.
9.4 Council Members shall be given priority whenever possible.
BYE-LAW 10: ELECTION OF MAIN OFFICE BEARERS
10.1 Not less than eight weeks before the next Council Meeting the Secretary-General shall call for nominations from all Council Members for the following posts when election for any of them is due:
(a) President-Elect;
(b) Two Vice-Presidents;
(c) Secretary-General; and
(d) Treasurer
10.2 Nominations should close not less than four weeks before the next Council Meeting.
10.3 The names of valid candidates shall be circulated to all Council Members not less than two weeks before the next Council Meeting.
10.4 Voting shall be by secret ballot at the Council Meeting.
10.5 Only Council Members in good standing shall be eligible to vote.
BYE-LAW 11: APPOINTMENT OF STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRS & COUNCILORS-AT-LARGE
11.1 Both Standing Committee Chairs and Councilors-at-Large are proposed by the President, the Secretary-General and the President-Elect of the Academy in consultation with the Executive Committee.
11.2 The Executive Committee will recommend Standing Committee Chairs and Councilors-at-Large for Council endorsement.
11.3 Whenever possible, the appointment of Councilors-at-Large and Standing Committee Chairs shall involve as many Institutional Members as possible.
BYE-LAW 12: COUNCIL MEETING
12.1 The Council shall meet once in every calendar year at the time and venue of the congress.
12.2 The President and the Secretary-General are empowered to call a Council Meeting at any time if they deem it necessary in extraordinary circumstances.
12.3 The Secretary-General shall give notice of the date, time, venue and agenda of the Council Meeting in writing by post, facsimile or e-mail at least fourteen days before the meeting.
BYE-LAW 13: SUBSCRIPTIONS
13.1 Each member organization of the Academy shall pay an annual subscription of a minimum of US$100.00.
13.2 Each new full member organization shall pay an entrance fee of US$100.00 on the Council’s approval of its membership application.
13.3 The Council may, by a resolution, terminate the membership of a Member who fails to pay the subscription fee for two consecutive years.
13.4 Subject to the Council’s approval, membership may be reinstated upon payment of the subscription fee in arrears.
BYE-LAW 14: ASSOCIATE INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP
14.1 The Council, on the recommendation of the Membership Standing Committee, shall have full discretion on the admission of any institution that does not fulfill the criteria for full membership but has the potential to facilitate the Academy to accomplish its mission and vision, to associate membership.
14.2 After the Council has approved an application for associate membership, the applicant shall pay an entrance fee equivalent to half the amount required of a Full Institutional Member or such other sum as the Council shall resolve from time to time. Each Associate Institutional Member shall pay a subscription fee in such amount as the Council resolves from time to time.
14.3 The Council may, by a resolution, terminate the membership of an Associate Institutional Member who fails to pay the subscription fee for two consecutive years. Subject to the Council’s approval, membership may be reinstated upon payment of the subscription fee in arrears.
14.4 An Associate Institutional Member shall be entitled to participate in only such programs of the Academy as the Council shall from time to time decide and be entitled to attend the annual general meeting, but in any event shall not be entitled to vote at any general meetings.
BYE-LAW 15: CONGRESSES
15.1 The Academy shall hold a congress every year.
15.2 The Council shall decide on the location of the congress at least three years before the due date.
15.3 The member organization of the chosen location for a congress shall be entrusted with the organization of the congress including the dates of the congress with the guidance of the Congress Standing Committee and the Council, in particular the Secretary-General.
15.4 The member organization hosting the congress shall elect the Congress President with the approval of the Council.
15.5 The organizers shall be guided by the Council on the regulations and protocols regarding the conduct of the congress, including the program of the Opening Ceremony and the rates of the registration fees.
15.6 At the conclusion of the closing of accounts of each congress, the organizing member shall pay the Academy 50% of the surplus derived from conducting the congress. The percentage of surplus payable is subject to mutual agreement. The organizers of a congress shall present to the Council a financial statement after the congress.
BYE-LAW 16: APAO SPECIAL LECTURES
16.1 There shall be named special lectures at each congress of the Academy. The Council is empowered to inaugurate new lectures of such kind to honor exceptionally outstanding contributors to ophthalmology in the Asia-Pacific region.
16.2 The existing named special lectures are the De Ocampo Lecture, the Holmes Lecture, and the Susruta Lecture.
16.3 The Council shall appoint an Awards Selection Panel of five to ten members to vet nominations from Council Members and Full Institutional Members, which are admitted as such in accordance with the Articles of Association, for these lectures and to recommend to the Council their choice.
16.4 Office bearers and Members of the Awards Standing Committee cannot be nominated for APAO special lectures.
16.5 Recipients of any APAO named awards (including special lectures) in one year cannot be nominated for APAO named awards in the subsequent two years to increase the chances of qualified candidates who have not been awarded before. A person is eligible to receive the same named award or special lecture only once in his/her lifetime.
16.6 The De Ocampo Lecture is the highest award for excellent academic achievements. Speakers should be ophthalmologists from the Asia-Pacific region and have an outstanding clinical or basic research background. It honors Dr. Geminiano De Ocampo, the founding President of the APAO. It is presented in an even year when the annual APAO Congress is held.
16.7 The Holmes Lecture is the highest award for exceptional contributions in preventive ophthalmology, especially in the prevention of blindness in the Asia-Pacific region. It honors Dr. William John Holmes, the founding Secretary-General of the APAO. It is presented in an odd year when the annual APAO Congress is held.
16.8 The Susruta Lecture recognizes contributions to cataract surgery, whatever the aspect. Priority is given to ophthalmologists who have contributed to the control of mass cataract blindness, which is a perennial problem in the Asia-Pacific region. It honors Susruta, an ancient physician in the Indian subcontinent. It is presented in an even year when the annual APAO Congress is held.
16.9 Each awardee is entitled to bring ONE accompanying person who will receive free registration for the APAO Congress (excluding that held in conjunction with the World Ophthalmology Congress) as well as an invitation to the Cultural Party.
16.10 Attendance at the Award Presentation Ceremony and the delivery of the special lecture are required in order to receive the award.
16.11 Nominees cannot be nominated for more than one medal, named award or special lecture in the same year. In the case of multiple nominations, the nominee will have to choose which medal, named award or special lecture s/he would like to run for.
16.12 Only one proposer is allowed for each nominee. In the case of having more than one proposer for a single award, the nominee will be responsible for choosing one proposer for his/her nomination.
16.13 The Council is empowered to accept donations for an endowment fund to inaugurate new named special lectures.
BYE-LAW 17: APAO MEDALS, NAMED AWARDS & AWARDS
17.1 The Council shall appoint an Awards Selection Panel of five to ten members to vet nominations from Council Members and Full Institutional Members, which are admitted as such in accordance with the Articles of Association, for the various APAO medals, named awards and awards.
17.2 Recipients of any APAO named awards in one year cannot be nominated for APAO named awards in the subsequent two years to increase the chances of qualified candidates who have not been awarded before. A person is eligible to receive the same named award only once in his / her lifetime.
17.3 Office bearers and Members of the Awards Standing Committee cannot be nominated for medals, named awards and awards.
17.4 JOSE RIZAL MEDAL
The APAO awards its most prestigious medal, the Jose Rizal Medal, to outstanding ophthalmologists for their excellence in ophthalmology within the Asia-Pacific region. It is presented in an odd year when the annual APAO Congress is held. As this medal measures outstanding contributions, it is not awarded if there is no suitable candidate for the year. It honors Dr Jose Rizal, an ophthalmologist who became a national hero in the Philippines.
Attendance at the Award Presentation Ceremony is required in order to receive the medal.
17.5 JOSE RIZAL INTERNATIONAL MEDAL
The APAO awards the Jose Rizal International Medal, an equally prestigious medal, to outstanding personalities from outside the Asia-Pacific region who have made exceptionally valuable contributions to ophthalmology in the Asia-Pacific area. It is presented in an even year when the annual APAO Congress is held. It may not be awarded if there is no suitable candidate for the year.
Attendance at the Award Presentation Ceremony is required in order to receive the medal.
17.6 NAKAJIMA AWARD
Aimed at encouraging young ophthalmologists to play a more active role in ophthalmological development, the Nakajima Award honors young individuals for their outstanding international work in ophthalmology. The candidate should preferably be 40 years or below and have been actively involved in international activities that assist in the development of ophthalmology, particularly in relation to the prevention of blindness, ophthalmic service and research pertinent to major blinding conditions such as cataract, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, corneal grafting, keratomalacia, trachoma and corneal ulcer. It honors Dr. Akira Nakajima, APAO’s President from 1972 – 1976. The award is presented in an odd year when the annual APAO Congress is held.
Attendance at the Award Presentation Ceremony is required in order to receive the award.
17.7 ARTHUR LIM AWARD
The Arthur Lim Award recognizes ophthalmologists who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in the field of ophthalmology and subsequently made substantial improvements in ophthalmic teaching and training in their countries / territories and beyond. It is named after Prof. Arthur Lim, former President and Secretary-General of the APAO. The award is presented in an even year when the annual APAO Congress is held.
Attendance at the Award Presentation Ceremony is required in order to receive the award.
17.8 ICO MARK TSO GOLDEN APPLE AWARD
Initiated by the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) and as a token of the ICO’s commitment to improving ophthalmic education worldwide, the ICO Mark Tso Golden Apple Award honors the most dedicated teacher of clinical ophthalmology in the Asia-Pacific region. It is named after Prof. Mark O.M. Tso, former ICO Director for Education. The award is presented in an odd year when the annual APAO Congress is held (in the years where there is no World Ophthalmology Congress as per ICO Awards Regulations June 16, 2015).
Attendance at the Award Presentation Ceremony is required in order to receive the award.
17.9 DENNIS LAM AWARD
The award honors individuals who have made their mark in achieving personal academic distinction and contribute significantly to academic advancement on institutional, national, and/or global levels. Moreover, the recipient has nourished and enhanced the international status of APJO through manuscripts published, citations generated, and editorial involvement. Preference will be given to APAC candidates. Prof. Dennis Lam is former President and Secretary-General of APAO, and the founding & current Editor-in-Chief of APJO. The award recognizes his outstanding academic achievement, commendable leadership, and continuing dedication to maintaining supremacy in the field of ophthalmology in APAC and beyond on the global stage.
Attendance at the Award Presentation Ceremony is required in order to receive the award.
17.10 THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS
These are awarded to ophthalmologists of Full Member Societies, defined as Full Institutional Members admitted as such in accordance with the Articles of Association, who have given distinguished service to ophthalmology in their home territories. A maximum of one nominee from each Full Member Society can be awarded at each APAO Congress. Each Full Member Society may nominate a maximum of two names from the nation / territory or subspecialty this society represents for consideration by the Awards Selection Panel. The panel shall recommend to the Council one name from each Full Member Society. A person is eligible to receive this award only once in his / her lifetime
Attendance at the Award Presentation Ceremony is required in order to receive the award. If an awardee’s physical presence is prevented by health issues or the inability to obtain a visa, the award will be dispatched to the awardee by post.
17.11 THE OUTSTANDING SERVICE IN PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS AWARDS
These awards are given to individuals or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the prevention of blindness in the Asia-Pacific region. The individuals need not be ophthalmologists. Each Full Member Society, defined as a Full Institutional Member admitted as such in accordance with the Articles of Association, may nominate a maximum of two names from the nation / territory or subspecialty this society represents for consideration by the Awards Selection Panel. The panel shall recommend to the Council one name from each Full Member Society. A person or an organization is eligible to receive this award only once in his/her/its lifetime.
Attendance at the Award Presentation Ceremony is required in order to receive the award. If an awardee’s physical presence is prevented by health issues or the inability to obtain a visa, the award will be dispatched to the awardee by post.
17.12 Nominees cannot be nominated for both the APAO Distinguished Service Awards and the APAO Outstanding Service in Prevention of Blindness Awards in the same year. In the case of multiple nominations, the nominee will have to choose which award s/he would like to run for.
17.13 Only one proposer is allowed for each nominee. In the case of having more than one proposer for a single award, the nominee will be responsible for choosing one proposer for his/her nomination.
17.14 INAUGURATION OF NEW AWARDS
The Council is empowered to inaugurate new awards as it deems necessary and as agreed to by the majority of Council Members
17.15 PATRONS AND FRIENDS OF THE ACADEMY
The Council may appoint individuals, institutions or organizations that have made significant contributions to the Academy, either in cash or kind, as Patrons or Friends of the Academy.
BYE-LAW 18: APAO PROF. YASUO TANO TRAVEL GRANTS
18.1 The APAO Prof. Yasuo Tano Travel Grants were established with the aim to provide young and up-and-coming ophthalmologists with financial support to attend the annual APAO Congress.
18.2 Travel Grant recipients are obliged to commit scientifically to the annual APAO Congress and can only pick up the grants when they have completed their scientific presentation(s).
BYE-LAW 19: ADVISORY STANDING COMMITTEE
19.1 The Council shall appoint an Advisory Standing Committee and its Chair. The function of the Advisory Standing Committee shall be to advise the Council on issues pertaining to the Academy and also issues specifically referred to it by the Council. The Chair of the Committee shall be an ex-officio member of the Council.
BYE-LAW 20: NATIONAL / TERRITORIAL MEMBERSHIP ADMISSION CRITERIA
20.1 The applicant must be the national / territorial society of ophthalmology representative of its nation / territory in the Asia-Pacific region, representing the great majority of practicing registered ophthalmologists in that nation / territory.
20.2 The applicant must be a society recognized as of good standing with:
20.2.1 proper registration; and
20.2.2 a Constitution and/or a set of Memorandum and Articles listing clearly its objectives, vision and mission.
20.3 The society leadership must recognize and uphold the Mission Statements of APAO.
20.4 The applicant should have a regular and transparent democratic process to elect Office Bearers and Council Members.
20.5 Membership of this society must be open to all practicing registered ophthalmologists within the nation/ territory.
BYE-LAW 21: SUBSPECIALTY MEMBERSHIP ADMISSION CRITERIA
21.1 The applicant must be a subspecialty group representative of the Asia-Pacific region.
21.2 Only major subspecialty groups will be considered.
21.3 The applicant must be a society recognized as of good standing with the following documentation:
21.3.1 proper registration; and
21.3.2 a Constitution and/or a set of Memorandum and Articles listing out clearly its objectives, vision and mission.
21.4 The society leadership must recognize and uphold the Mission Statements of APAO.
21.5 The applicant must have a full Council consisting of the following:
21.5.1 at least 5 members; and
21.5.2 representatives of at least 5 member nations and/or territories of the APAO.
21.6 The applicant should have a regular and transparent democratic process to elect Office Bearers and Council Members.
BYE-LAW 22: AMENDMENTS TO THE BYE-LAWS
22.1 Any addition, alteration or amendment of the Bye-laws shall be made by a special resolution passed by 75% of votes of the Members present and entitled to vote at a general meeting, provided that such amendment shall have been previously approved by 75% of votes of the Council Members entitled to vote.