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. 2020 Jul 7;5(1):e000525. doi: 10.1136/bmjophth-2020-000525

Table 1.

Overview of international ophthalmology societies examined

Society Country WHO region # of members COVID-19 portal page COVID-19 resources Updates
RCOphth UK Europe 2,214 https://rcophth.ac.uk/2020/04/covid-19-update-and-resources-for-ophthalmologists/ Comprehensive list of resources for ophthalmologists (PPE guidance, clinical guidance, optometrist collaboration, telemedicine and information for trainees) written by RCOphth and list of references from other national entities for additional clinical guidance. Frequent
AAO USA Americas 30,000 https://www.aao.org/coronavirus Comprehensive list of news and resources for ophthalmologists in the USA and around the world (clinical, advocacy and policy, telemedicine, practice management, articles and outbreak statistics). Daily
COS Canada Americas 854 https://www.cosprc.ca/resources/type/for-learners/COVID-19/ COVID-19 Practice Resource Centre with 23 resources: COS guidelines, subspecialty position statements, articles and videos from AAO, CDC, UHN and learning opportunities (webinars). Frequent
SEO Spain Europe 2,955 https://www.oftalmoseo.com/COVID-19/ 5 detailed documents highlighting COVID-19 recommendations for ophthalmologists, for patients and for medical professionals concerning the distribution of medication related to COVID-19. None
SFO France Europe 5,580 https://www.sfo-online.fr/covid-19-infos 17 detailed recommendation sheets written by SFO, often in collaboration with other vision-related French organisations. Frequent
DOG Germany Europe 7,200 https://www.dog.org/?cat=288 1 COVID-19 handbook in collaboration with the Professional Association of German Ophthalmologists eV. Referral to external resources on COVID-19: list of recommendations for medical professionals, guidelines from other ophthalmic societies and general information on the pandemic. None
SOI Italy Europe 4,527 https://www.sedesoi.com/ 17 press releases from SOI President, concerning issues surrounding contact lenses, legal doctors, provision of FFP2 masks and patient care. Variable
JOS Japan Western Pacific 14,686 http://www.nichigan.or.jp/index.jsp 11 notices concerning COVID-19 tailored for ophthalmologists and citizens, as well as a list of reputable sources of information concerning the pandemic (WHO, CDC, Lancet and AAO). Variable
AIOS India Southeast Asia 19,846 https://aios.org/article-212-important-coronavirus-updates-for-ophthalmologists.php 1 COVID-19 alert page: general information on COVID-19, frequently asked questions section, webinars, in addition to the list of external recommendations (AAO COVID-19 updates, India’s latest COVID-19 statistics and global updates). Not frequent
OSSA South Africa Africa 233 https://ossa.autoprax.co.za/api/images/pdf/5e788b26b09791041d2e7d8f 2-page statement on management of ophthalmic patients during COVID-19, and referral to OSSA the COVID-19 Coronavirus South African Resource Portal produced by the country’s department of health. None
IRSO Iran Eastern Mediterranean 1,760 No COVID-19 information available.
CHOS China Western Pacific 22,000 No COVID-19 information available.

RCOphth: The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/).

AAO: American Academy of Ophthalmology (https://www.aao.org/).

COS: Canadian Ophthalmological Society (https://www.cosprc.ca/).

SEO: Sociedad Española de Oftalmología/Spanish Society of Ophthalmology (https://www.oftalmoseo.com/).

SFO: Société Française d’Ophthalmologie/French Society of Ophthalmology (https://www.sfo-online.fr/).

DOG: Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesselschaft/German Ophthalmological Society (https://www.dog.org/).

SOI: Società Oftalmologica Italiana/Italian Ophthalmological Society (https://www.sedesoi.com/).

JOS: Japanese Ophthalmological Society (http://www.nichigan.or.jp/).

AIOS: All India Ophthalmological Society (https://aios.org/).

OSSA: Ophthalmological Society of South Africa (https://www.ossa.co.za/).

IRSO: Iranian Society of Ophthalmology (http://www.irso.org/).