The purpose of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is to present ophthalmologists with the highest quality lifelong learning opportunities that promote positive change in physician performance or competence, thus enabling such physicians to maintain or improve the knowledge, skills and professional performance needed to provide the best possible eye care for their patients.
Content Areas
The content of the Academy’s CME program emphasizes the 10 Practice Emphasis Areas (PEAs) that have been defined by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) and also are reflected in the Academy’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) related educational activities.
- Cataract and Anterior Segment
- Cornea and External Disease
- Glaucoma
- Neuro-Ophthalmology and Orbit
- Oculoplastics and Orbit
- Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
- Refractive Management and Intervention
- Retina and Vitreous
- Uveitis
- Comprehensive Ophthalmology
Additionally, the Academy’s CME program provides content for topics such as effective management of an ophthalmic practice, medical ethics, risk management and other areas deemed relevant by the needs of the membership.
Target Audience
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the largest national membership association of Eye M.D.s and represents all ophthalmologic specialties. The primary target audience for the Academy’s CME program is practicing ophthalmologists working in comprehensive and specialized practices across a variety of settings.
Types of Activities
General types of activities provided by the Academy’s CME program include: self-assessment programs; a MOC Study Guide and Review Course and materials that aid members in determining their ongoing educational needs within the 10 PEAs; an annual meeting with a large selection of seminars, papers, courses and posters; courses and video teleconferences on clinical topics and practice management; and enduring materials such as clinical modules, the Basic and Clinical Science Course curriculum, clinical video DVDs, interactive multimedia activities, e-Learning courses, podcasts and jointly sponsored CME activities appropriate to the Academy’s mission.
Expected Results
The generally expected result of the Academy’s CME program is a broad array of ophthalmic knowledge that contributes to the lifelong learning of Academy members and that advances physician performance, competence or patient outcomes. Ongoing assessment of the impact of the Academy’s CME program is important in determining modifications to existing activities and the development of new activities. Specific expected results include increased knowledge across the ophthalmic community, a desire among practicing ophthalmologists to pursue lifelong learning, the refinement of already employed techniques or skills and the application of new techniques or skills for the improvement of practice and patient care.