History
The American Society of Ophthalmic Trauma (ASOT) was founded in 2020 to become a central leader in improving all aspects of national ophthalmic trauma care. Working intimately with other multidisciplinary trauma systems, organizations, and representatives from both ocular and non-ocular specialty communities, ASOT will address needs of the spectrum of constituents within the pre-ophthalmic and ophthalmic zones of care, from patients to non-ophthalmic providers to ophthalmic specialists and subspecialists. ASOT will use evidence-based research to formulate and disseminate practice guidance and recommendations and to influence trauma policy and systems of care. Specific areas of interest include prevention and early recognition of eye and vision injuries at home, in sports, and in the workplace; the development of ophthalmic trauma systems; and innovative uses of telehealth for rapid expert consultation, triage and management of ophthalmic injury.
Our Mission
The mission of the American Society of Ophthalmic Trauma (ASOT) is to improve ophthalmic trauma care across the casualty care continuum, including the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, and treatment of eye injuries with the goal of preserving sight. ASOT will accomplish this via active engagement and advocacy in education; policy development; trauma systems development and evaluation; enhancing preparedness for national disasters, emergencies, contingencies, and military conflict; advancement of evidence-based research; integrating and collaborating with other trauma organizations and systems of care; and by working with multidisciplinary colleagues, specialties, and subspecialties that affect ophthalmic trauma care.
Education
ASOT is committed to ensuring the highest quality care for patients who experience the unfortunate injuries sustained following ocular trauma. ASOT will host educational conferences, symposia, and scholarship opportunities to improve care offered to all patients.
Policy
ASOT seeks to improve all aspects of ophthalmic trauma care by working to establish ophthalmic trauma systems that integrate with existing broader trauma systems, and that span ophthalmic and non-ophthalmic zones of care.
Disaster Management
ASOT provides guidance for incorporating eye care in disaster response plans; develops ophthalmic resources for first responders; and presents strategies to prevent eye trauma in civilian life and combat.