A cohort known as the “Costenbader Society” voted to create a national pediatric ophthalmology society for everyone practicing Strabismology or Pediatric Ophthalmology and named the group the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology (AAPO). The first official AAPO meeting was held in 1975. In 1976, AAPO changed its name to AAPOS.

Its mission was to promote high quality medical and surgical eyecare worldwide for children and for adults with strabismus.