Veterinarians & Public

"Diplomate of the ACVO" - A person who has graduated from a college of veterinary medicine, completed a 1 year internship in medicine and surgery, and successfully completed a 3-year ACVO-approved residency in ophthalmology under the supervision of a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist. For a person to become an ACVO Diplomate, his or her credentials are reviewed and must be accepted by the ACVO Credentials Committee for the applicant to be allowed to take the ACVO certifying examination (“Boards”). The exam is a three section, four day process, consisting of written, practical, and surgical portions. Finally, after passing all of the above criteria, the veterinarian is recognized as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists® or in short, they are now board certified in veterinary ophthalmology. This individual may carry the certification "DACVO" or "Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists". Only board certified persons may call themselves a "veterinary specialist", a "specialist in ophthalmology" or an "ophthalmologist".

"Active Diplomate" of the ACVO - An "Active Diplomate" is someone who has passed “Boards”and is in good standing with the ACVO, including being current on annual membership dues. This individual may conduct CERF or EERF exams.

"Inactive Diplomate" of the ACVO - An "Inactive Diplomate" is someone has passed boards but is not in good standing with the ACVO, for example, their annual membership dues are not current. This individual may conduct CERF or EERF exams.

"Emeritus Diplomate" of the ACVO - An "Emeritus Diplomate" is someone who has retired from general practice and has been granted Emeritus status by the ACVO Board of Regents and the general membership. Emeritus Diplomates are not required to pay the annual membership dues fees but their benefits may be limited. This individual may conduct CERF or EERF exams.

Board Eligible – This is a designation not recognized by the ACVO or American Board of Veterinary Specialists, but may represent a person who has completed their residency training but has not yet taken or successfully passed the examinations to become board certified. These veterinarians may not call themselves or imply that they are "veterinary ophthalmologists", "specialists" or use the terminology "board-eligible". All of these phrases are considered confusing and not allowed by the American Board of Veterinary Specialists and the ACVO. These individuals may only use the following terminology to describe their credentials, "practice limited to diseases of the eye" or "practice limited to diseases of the animal eye".

"Practice limited to diseases of the animal eye" - A person who has successfully completed their residency training but has not yet taken or successfully passed all three examinations to become board certified. They are using the correct title. These individuals may not call themselves or imply that they are "veterinary ophthalmologists", "specialists" or use the terminology "board-eligible". All of these phrases are considered confusing and not allowed by the American Board of Veterinary Specialists and the ACVO.

Resident - A person serving an ACVO-approved 3 year residency in veterinary ophthalmology at either a veterinary teaching hospital or at a boarded ophthalmologists' clinic under the supervision of ophthalmologists. One who has completed a Residency in Ophthalmology is not a board certified specialist until they pass the board examination.

"Honorary Member" of the ACVO - This honorary designation may be conferred upon any person who has achieved distinction in comparative ophthalmology and has made significant contributions to veterinary ophthalmology; confirmed by vote of 2/3 of the Active Diplomates. This person is typically not a veterinary ophthalmologist and the designation is solely honorary. There are very few Honorary Members.

You may wish to check our list of Active ACVO Diplomates to verify that your veterinarian is indeed a board certified specialist. In most cases if the veterinarian is not listed on our site, they are not ophthalmologists, specialists or board certified. You may contact the ACVO office to be certain as there are a few Diplomates who prefer that their information is not listed in the referral area of this site.

General practice veterinarians are able to assist with general ophthalmological problems but may choose to refer a client if the diagnosis or treatment are outside of their area of expertise. Some institutions require a referral, but many practices will see a patient if contacted directly for a consultation and appointment. Check with your local veterinary ophthalmologist’s office to be sure. A good resource is also to check information on our page called "Does my pet need a veterinary ophthalmologist?"

If you suspect someone is promoting themselves as "board certified", a "specialist in veterinary ophthalmology", an "ophthalmologist" or "Diplomate" of this College, and they do not appear to be board certified by the ACVO, please contact our office with this information. This practice may be in violation of the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Board of Veterinary Specialists and/or the ACVO's Code of Ethics.

There are several colleges and/or societies around the world who certify veterinarians. If you would like to locate a veterinary ophthalmologist outside of the U.S. this list of organizations may be a good place to start.