Fellows are often the highest grade of membership of any professional association or learned society. Lower grades are referred to as members (who typically share voting rights with Fellows).

Within the American Society of Optometric Surgeons, Fellowships are awarded as a title of honor in their own right, e.g. Fellow of the American Society of Optometric Surgeons (F.A.S.O.S.).  

Appointment as a Fellow of the A.S.O.S. is, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, either to honor exceptional achievement or service within the professional domain or to honor contributions related to advancing the cause of optometric surgery, laser or advanced procedures through practice, service or pedagogy to individuals of accomplishment who demonstrate desire and ability to further the mission of the A.S.O.S.  Membership in the A.S.O.S. prior to application for consideration of Fellow status is a requirement.

Qualifying Criteria REQUIRED for awarding of Fellow (F.A.S.O.S.) status includes:

1. Continuous Sustaining Membership in the society for a period of not less than 1 year at the time of application.
2. Candidate must be in good standing at the time of the application for fellowship without disciplinary action.*
3. Member status must reflect "Active Sustaining Membership" at time of application (not expired or lapsed).
4. Candidate must have taken and passed both parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry's Laser &  Surgical Procedures Examination (LSPE).  Verification from NBEO of eligibility and diplomate status required.**
NBEO:LSPE EXAM INFO



In addition to the above criteria, the Board will consider any evidence of the following:

• Licensure and a letter of Good-Standing from the State Optometry Board of an Advanced Practice State.***
• Nomination by two existing A.S.O.S. Fellows who know the applicant professionally.
• Evidence of continued formal post-graduate training such as an accredited residency or a clinical fellowship.
• Procedural case logs or evidence of surgical/laser experience (signed/certified by program director).
• Letters of recommendation and/or references from surgical colleagues, residency or clinical fellowship directors.
• Evidence of substantial achievement in the professional domain of optometric surgery and advanced practice.
• Submission of a thesis or portfolio of works (publications) in a related discipline which will be examined.

* Disciplinary action defined as admonishment, probation, suspension, or revocation of a professional license, revocation of surgical or procedural privileges or exclusion from any clinic, hospital or professional staff, conviction of a felony, or surrendering an optometric license at the request of an optometric licensing board or court of law.
** Candidates deemed ineligible to sit for the NBEO:LSPE at time of application due to their service on either the LSPE Development Committee or LSPE Standard Setting Committee are instructed to contact the ASOS Membership Chair.
*** AK, AR, CO, ID, IN, KY, LA, MS, NM, OK, OR, SD, TN, UT, VA, WY