ARVO Fellows

The title of Fellow of ARVO (FARVO) is an honor established to recognize current ARVO members for their individual accomplishments, leadership and contributions to the Association.

ARVO Fellows serve as role models and mentors for individuals pursuing careers in vision and ophthalmology research and help further ARVO's vision "…to advance research worldwide into understanding the visual system and preventing, treating and curing its disorders," which includes advancing basic and clinical knowledge and serving as the leading international forum for vision research and the primary advocate for vision science worldwide.

Gold and Silver ARVO Fellows who are retired from employment and are no longer engaged in regular research, academic or other scientific activities are eligible for Emeritus membership. Membership dues are waived for Emeritus members and Fellows may request a status change in writing to arvo@arvo.org. Emeritus members are ineligible to vote or hold elected office, submit abstracts to ARVO meetings, or submit a manuscript to the ARVO Journals.

Eligibility for the Fellow designation is determined by a point system established by the ARVO Board (revised October 2009), under which members are awarded points for participation in the activities listed below. Eligible years have been determined based upon available records. The maximum point levels have been set to require multiple areas of participation to become an ARVO Fellow.

Please note, any points inquiries received after Aug. 22, 2025, will count toward the 2026 cycle.

There are two levels of ARVO Fellows: 

1. Silver - minimum of 50 points
2. Gold - minimum of 60 points

ARVO staff update records annually following the Annual Meeting and inform those who meet the Silver or Gold Fellow Award level requirements that have been approved by the Board by the end of the year.

Each year's class of ARVO Fellows is inducted at the ARVO Annual Meeting the following Spring.

Induction as an ARVO Fellow includes:

• Recognition at the Annual Meeting Keynote session and within the convention center
• A Fellow's Medal, lapel pin, certificate and ribbon for your badge
• The right to use the special designation FARVO (Fellow of ARVO)
• Recognition in ARVO publications and press releases

Please contact awards@arvo.org for further information.

Meet the FARVO Class of 2026   View All ARVO Fellows