The Society

Learn about the Society and its Membership

About ISER

The Mission of ISER is to provide a unique international platform for discussion and exchange of ideas on contemporary topics in eye and vision research among its members and the broader eye/vision research community.

ISER supports this mission by holding scientific meetings at venues throughout the world, through its journal, Experimental Eye Research, and by focusing resources on the development and support of young investigators, especially those working in the research programs of ISER members.

On the 18th of December 1968, fourteen scientists from the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, Sweden, The Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland met in Oxford, England to discuss the merits of establishing an international organization to support eye research. It was agreed that there was a need for such an organization, because those scientists interested in studying the eye were scattered over many scientific disciplines in many countries, and such a Society would bring them together periodically from all over the world. It was emphasized that the future generation of scientists should be invited to the meetings organized by the Society, and helped financially to participate. The Society would strive to offer opportunities to young scientists to see and hear, and to be seen and heard. Among the objectives were: coordination of various channels of research communication; establishment of an international information center and clearing house for financial, organizational and operational aspects of eye research; stimulation and promotion of international research cooperation; assistance and cooperation with local, national and regional eye research organizations when needed.

Probably the most interesting proposition was the idea that such a new international organization should help scientists worldwide in the planning and coordination of research activities. Participants also expressed the opinion that the journal, "Experimental Eye Research", should become the official publication of the new Society.

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Membership Information

Membership Categories

There shall be six categories of members, which shall be designated collectively as Members. These categories are Full, Family, Young Investigator, Sustaining, Emeritus and Honorary.

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Benefits of Memberships

  • The membership fee is less than the difference between the registration fees for members and non-members to the ISER Biennial Meeting!
  • Affordable dues that allow you to choose the option that best meets your needs
    • Option 1: Dues including a journal subscription
    • Option 2: Dues without a journal subscription
  • Reduced subscription rate for journal - Experimental Eye Research (for most member categories) - Over $200 in savings to ISER Members
    • The journal's impact factor is 2.538 for 2009. The cumulative 5-Year impact factor is 2.832.
  • Free color in the print version of Experimental Eye Research for all 'dues paid' members (just one per research team needed)
  • Free online color reproduction for all submissions, with no page charges
  • Choice between online or print subscription formats
  • Publishing opportunities
  • Research Prizes - 4 different awards are awarded every two years
  • Substantially reduced registration fees for international Biennial Meeting
  • Small, intimate biennial meetings that allow opportunities for:
    • One-on-one exchanges with international colleagues
    • Interesting meeting sites
    • Smaller poster sessions that draw people due to flexibility with formatting and scheduling
    • Oral presentation of research in symposia
  • Website for Organizational Updates - www.iser.org
  • Leadership growth potential
  • Networking opportunities
  • Affordable dues
  • Member Subscription Rates for Journal - Experimental Eye Research
    • Over $200 in savings for ISER Members
    • Choice between online or print subscription formats.
  • Website for Organizational Updates - www.iser.org
  • Young Investigator Prize Eligibility - $1,000, travel expenses to attend a Biennial Meeting of the International Society for Eye Research
  • Travel Fellowship Eligibility to attend an ISER Biennial Meeting
    • Small, intimate biennial meetings with more opportunities to:
    • Meet and interact with senior scientists
    • 'Stand out' by presenting in a forum for Young Investigators
    • Selection for oral presentations
    • Interesting meeting sites
    • Smaller poster sessions that draw people because of flexibility with formatting and scheduling
    • One-on-one exchanges with international colleagues
    • Travel opportunity to foreign lands
  • Leadership growth potential
  • Networking opportunities
Become a member online!