Accomplishments and Activities

Chinese translation of the Archives of Ophthalmology (CLEOPH)

The Chinese Language Edition of the Archives of Ophthalmology is supported by CAOS, the AMA and the Chinese Medical Association, and was first published in 1988. The Archives are distributed throughout China and has obtained Certificates of Citation 3 times from the Chinese government.

Translation into Chinese of all volumes of the AAO Basic and Clinical Science Course Manual (BCSC)

The translation of this highly regarded set of training manuals was funded in large part by donations from individual CAOS members. The Chinese government has lauded this activity as a model for medical education in China and the AAO has acknowledged its importance by waiving copyright fees for remaining volumes since 1994.

The “Chinese Duke-Elder” project

This intensive project was completed, partly with the support of CAOS. The Duke- Elder Textbook of Ophthalmology, translated into Chinese, is a major accomplishment in Ophthalmology.

Establishment of The Chinese American Educational Trust

This educational trust was established by Dr. Mark Tso, and supports a wide array of education and scholarly activities.

Establishment of The Golden Key Award (for the Best Researcher in China) and Golden Apple Award (for the Best Teacher in China)

These awards are presented annually at the National Congress of the Chinese Ophthalmological Society. CAOS established these awards in 1992. They were initially funded by Dr. Mark Tso, but now are supported by the Chinese American Educational Trust. The recipients are chosen by the Executive Committee of the Chinese Ophthalmological Society and the awardees present a lecture at the National Congress upon receiving their plaque and honorarium.

Co-Founding of the Global Congress of Ophthalmologists of Chinese Descent

In 1998, a group of Ophthalmologists of Chinese descent from all over the world met in Hong Kong to establish the First Global Congress of Ophthalmology of Chinese Descent. The Congress was initiated to stimulate Ophthalmologists of Chinese descent from all over the world to have an opportunity to share their experience in the practice of Ophthalmology and encourage each other in the educational endeavors at their local communities. It was decided that this Congress would be held every four years. In 2002, the Second Congress was held in Taipei, Taiwan, in 2006 the Third Congress was held in Beijing, China and in 2011, the Fourth Global Chinese Ophthalmic Conference was held in Guangzhou, China.

Establishment of The Peking University Eye Center

In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) circulated a report stating China had 6.7 million blind people. Many of them were suffering from cataracts. Many organizations came forward to provided support for cataract operations in China. CAOS however believed that it was better to teach a hungry man to be a fisherman than to feed him with a fish. A model eye center of research, education and service was proposed to be set up at the Beijing Medical University, now known as the Peking University Health Science Center, which is the largest and most prestigious university in China.

A successful fundraising campaign was conducted in Asia and the United States with CAOS as a major partner. The Peking University Eye Center (PUEC) broke ground on September 5, 1999, with Dr. Mark Tso and Dr. Benjamin Kwan in attendance. It was completed on October 20, 2001.

Chinese English Ophthalmology Dictionary

In 2014, Dr. Christopher Teng compiled the Chinese English Ophthalmology Dictionary on the CAOS website, which lists common Ophthalmology phrases and words in Chinese, English and Pinyin.