With a major commitment to global ophthalmology, Dr Straatsma co-chaired a joint meeting of the International Council of Ophthalmology and the Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis for global ophthalmology planning. Evolving from this week-long conference, Dr. Straatsma was primary author of Vision for the Future – The International Ophthalmology Strategic Plan to Preserve and Restore Vision published in 2002. From this strategic plan came formal curricula for ophthalmology education of medical students, residents and para-ophthalmic specialists, as well as a series of Ophthalmology Program Directors Courses throughout the world.

Dr. Straatsma held the position of Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Ophthalmology (1983 – 2002) at a time when revitalization was needed. He implemented substantial editorial innovations, strengthened the peer review process, enhanced the aesthetics of the print journal and introduced the AJO website (www.ajo.com). With online full text articles, “Authors Interactive” and electronic “Virtual Meetings”, he positioned the AJO in the digital age and offered features for the national and international readership.