American Board of Ophthalmology
Encyclopedia
The American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) is an independent, non-profit organization
responsible for certifying
ophthalmologists
(eye
physicians and surgeon
s) in the United States of America
. Founded in 1916, the ABO was the first American Board established to certify medical specialists.
The ABO is the founding member of the American Board of Medical Specialties
. Originally, a combined board of Ophthalmology
& Otolaryngology
, the specialties split into two board backed specialties in the 1960s.
Certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology is a voluntary process that involves a written and an oral examination. A candidate who successfully passes both the written qualifying and oral examinations becomes a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and is entitled to use the letters D.A.B.O. after his or her name.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
responsible for certifying
Professional certification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...
ophthalmologists
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
(eye
Human eye
The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes. As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth...
physicians and surgeon
Surgery
Surgery is an ancient medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate and/or treat a pathological condition such as disease or injury, or to help improve bodily function or appearance.An act of performing surgery may be called a surgical...
s) in the United States of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 1916, the ABO was the first American Board established to certify medical specialists.
The ABO is the founding member of the American Board of Medical Specialties
American Board of Medical Specialties
The American Board of Medical Specialties is a non-profit physician-led umbrella organization for 24 of the 26 approved medical specialty boards in the United States...
. Originally, a combined board of Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems...
& Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology or ENT is the branch of medicine and surgery that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, and head and neck disorders....
, the specialties split into two board backed specialties in the 1960s.
Certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology is a voluntary process that involves a written and an oral examination. A candidate who successfully passes both the written qualifying and oral examinations becomes a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and is entitled to use the letters D.A.B.O. after his or her name.