Subspecialtying in ophthalmology in the United States is an unstructured elective experience. With the exception of one subspecialty society, there is no control or standardization of training programs or assessment of the capabilities of graduates. In 1987, 222 (46% ) of the 484 graduates of US residency training programs enrolled in fellowships. Approximately 85% of these positions were sponsored by departments, divisions, and other academic units of ophthalmology at an annual cost of approximately $8 million.
In recognizing that fellowship education influences residency training programs, the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) sponsored a conference on subspecialty fellowship training in Laguna Niguel, Calif, on Feb 7, 1988. In attendance were chairmen of departments and heads of academic units of ophthalmology, directors of residency training programs, representatives of subspecialty societies, preceptors of fellowship training programs, members of the board of directors and staff of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and foreign