ARVO is the largest and most respected eye and vision research organization in the world. Our members include nearly 12,000 researchers from over 75 countries. Approximately 45% of members reside in over 75 countries outside the U.S. The membership is multidisciplinary and consists of both clinical and basic researchers The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc. (ARVO) was founded in 1928 in Washington, D.C. by 73 ophthalmologists. ARVO was originally named the Association for Research in Ophthalmology (ARO), but the word "vision" was added in 1970 to better reflect the scientific profile of its members.