Information on Maintenance of Certification Requirements

■ Starting in 2006, ophthalmologists who were Board-certified after July 1, 1992 will transition to new Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements set by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO). The American Academy of Ophthalmology's Web site www.aao.org/aao/ame offers valuable information to help educate you.

The site's "MOC Process" section answers FAQs such as "Who is affected?" "What is the Academy doing to assist members?" and "What will be required of me?"

As part of the new MOC requirements, knowledge will be measured against the Practicing Ophthalmologists Curriculum (POC) in a series of examinations. This knowledge base contains information deemed most clinically relevant and organized by practice emphasis area.

The "POC Topics" section of this site provides a high-level view of the information that may be assessed in the ABO's Demonstration of Ophthalmic Cognitive Knowledge (DOCK) examination. Those Board-certified after July 1, 1992 will be required to pass the DOCK examination every 10 years to remain certified.

The "MOC Study Resources" section provides ophthalmologists with access to study tools like the MOC Exam Study Guide, the MOC Exam Self-Assessment and the MOC Exam Review Course. The study aids, which must be purchased, are based on the POC.

The Study Guide is organized in outline format by practice emphasis area. Ophthalmologists receive study tools in Core Ophthalmic Knowledge and up to two selected practice emphasis areas. The Self-Assessment provides access to two online study modes organized by Core Ophthalmic Knowledge, and up to two selected practice emphasis areas. The Review Course will help ophthalmologists prepare for the DOCK examination in September 2006, assisted by instructors who created the POC. The in-depth course will be held in the Chicago area
July 21 to 23, 2006.

Visit http://www.aao.org/aao/ame

If you've discovered a Web site or service that's been useful to you, we'd like to know about it. E-mail Leslie Goldberg at goldbergl@lwwvisioncare.com or call her at (215) 643-8082.