Board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists complete years of advanced residency training and pass rigorous examinations to earn their credentials. They focus exclusively on diagnosing, treating, and operating on eye diseases, and they use specialized equipment and techniques that general practices don’t typically have access to.
To become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, a person must first graduate from veterinary school, attain a minimum of 12 months full-time clinical practice as a veterinarian, and complete a 3-year or longer residency training program in veterinary ophthalmology. The applicant then is permitted to take the ABVO certifying examination. The exam is a multi-day process consisting of multiple written and practical components. After achieving all of these criteria, a veterinarian is recognized as a “Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists” and is board-certified in veterinary ophthalmology. In the United States, no-one may use this title unless they have successfully completed all of these steps.