Introduction
There is a need for increased postgraduate clinical training and Optometry Specialty Certification Boards to manage the rapid expansion of the Scope of Optometric Practice. See: Three Critical Components for Expanded Scope of Optometric Practice.
Board Certification is understood by the health care community and general public to mean that a physician has acquired advanced knowledge and skills in a specialty area such as Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, etc.
Although there are many types of Optometry Residency Programs, only ABCMO offers residents the opportunity to be Board Certified in an Optometry Specialty. This leaves many other residents without the opportunity for Board Certification in their respective Specialties. This deficiency can be addressed by the development of additional Optometry Specialty Certification Boards.
To facilitate the development of Optometry Specialty Certification Boards, and to ensure high standards for all specialties, the American Board of Optometry Specialties (ABOS) was created. Similar to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), which provides oversight and guidance to independent Medical Specialty Certification Boards, ABOS provides oversight and guidance to independent Optometry Specialty Certification Boards.
American Board of Optometry Specialties (ABOS)
ABOS currently has one member optometry specialty certification board and recommends the formation of an additional three.