Maintenance of Board Certification in Ophthalmology; Who Cares?

The issue of continuing education is vital for both physicians and patient safety, as it can protect physicians from the legal consequences of out-of-date management practices and protect patients from complications from out-of-date approaches. Following the pioneering establishment of the American Board of Ophthalmology in 1917, other organizations have established specialty board exams (1). The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) established a time limit for certifications in the 1970s and now requires recertification. Specifically, physicians have to take a written examination every 6 to 10 years to be recertified (1-2). Physicians in Canada and the United Kingdom must undergo a similar process to maintain their certifications (3).