What is a “Board Certified” Ophthalmologist?
All of the eye doctors at Eye Associates of Washington, D.C. are “board certified” ophthalmologists.
What does board certified mean and how did we do it?
Board certified means that these doctors have passed a rigorous two part examination. We are eligible only after completing all the steps listed below. Board certification take about 1.5 to 2.0 years after all our training is completed.
Training to Become an Ophthalmologist
After college comes medical school. After medical school, we are technically an “M.D.,” but in modern medicine, further training is expected before we start to practice. This is actually also the list of prerequisites needed to become eligible for board certification.
- College (4 years)
- Medical School (4 years)
- Internship (1 year)
- Residency (3 years)
- Fellowship (?)
To become an ophthalmologist, in this country, we had to complete a 1 year internship followed by a 3 year residency. The internship consists of 1 year of in hospital patient care usually in internal medicine, general surgery or a mix of primary specialties (also known as a transitional year).
Ophthalmic residency is 3 years of patient care where we learn medical and surgical treatment of the eyes. Upon completion of a residency, many residents go into general ophthalmology practice. Additional sub-specialty training, called a fellowship, is optional, but allows us to further specialize in specific areas of ophthalmology.
Fellowships are offered in oculo-plastics, corneal diseases, glaucoma, retinal disease, neuro-ophthalmolgoy, pediatrics and a few other areas of ophthalmology.
Board Certified in Ophthalmology
After completion of residency, the process of becoming a board certified ophthalmologist begins. It is a two part exam: written and oral.
Board certification began in 1916 and is administered by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABOP) which was the first medical specialty board in the United States. There are now 24 specialty boards.
Until ophthalmologists led the call for higher standards in the practice of medicine, patients had no way of knowing if their specialists received critical training in that specialty area of medicine. – ABOP
The exam covers all the areas of ophthalmology; pediatrics, optics, neuro-ophthalmology, retina, glaucoma, oculo-plastics, refractive surgery, cataracts, etc. It requires intense study to meet the standards set by the ABOP. After the written exam is passed, you are eligible for the oral examination.
It is about a 1.5-2.0 year process if all goes well. Failures do occur.
Starting in the 1990s, board certification is good for 10 years before re-certification is needed.
In short, board certification process to ensure “quality control.”
The Doctors of Eye Associates of Washington
Board Certified Ophthalmologists
Eye Physicians and Surgeons
Serving the Washington, D.C., Tyson’s Corner
If you have questions or concerns, please leave a comment below! To make an appointment with any of our board certified ophthalmologists, please call 202.686.6700.
