BECOMING A DACVO®
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists® is an organization, not an actual physical location, that has established certifying criteria through its American Board of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ABVO) for veterinary ophthalmologists.
After a person graduates from college (4 years) and then veterinary school (4 years), he/she usually completes a 1 year internship in small animal medicine and surgery. The person then serves a 3 year residency in ophthalmology at either a veterinary teaching hospital or at a boarded ophthalmologist's clinic under the supervision of ophthalmologists. Once the residency is completed the board certification process begins, first with a credentials package.
If the credentials are accepted by the ABVO Exam Committee, the applicant is allowed to take the examination. The exam is a four day process consisting of written, practical, and surgical parts.
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, board certified in veterinary ophthalmology. Legally one cannot use this title unless they are fully boarded."
