Members and state or national organizations must use the term “Eye M.D.” only as a descriptive suffix to the member’s or organization’s name to designate that the member is a medical doctor (or organization of medical doctors) specializing in eye and vision care.

Suggested uses:
John Doe, MD—Eye M.D.
Dr. Jane Smith, an Eye M.D.
John Doe & Jane Smith, Eye M.D.s
 
Inappropriate uses:
John Doe, MD—Eye M.D. Participant
Dr. Jane Smith—Member, Eye M.D.
John Doe & Jane Smith, an Eye M.D. Practice

Clinics & Group Practices

Clinics or eye care practice groups must use the term “Eye M.D.” as a descriptive suffix following the practice group or clinic name to indicate that the practice group or clinic is comprised primarily of medical doctors specializing in eye and vision care. Clinics and practice groups should take care that the term “Eye M.D.” is used only as a descriptor and not to imply membership in a specific practice
group or network known as “Eye M.D.”
 
Suggested uses:
Smallville Eye Associates—Eye M.D.s
South Smallville Eye M.D.s
Eye Care Clinic of Greater Smallville—Greater Smallville’s Eye M.D.s
 
Inappropriate uses:
Smallville Eye M.D. Associates
Eye M.D.s of South Smallville
Eye Care Clinic of Greater Smallville—Eye M.D. Care for Greater Smallville

Public & Patient Information Materials

Members and organizations may use the term Eye M.D. in public or patient information materials text in the same context as the term ophthalmologist. The term Eye M.D. should not be used to promote or sell specific products or services, or in such a way that might imply endorsement of specific products or services. The term may be used to describe the practitioner providing the products and services.

Suggested uses:
“See an Eye M.D. for total eye care for the whole family.”
“See an Eye M.D. because there’s so much more to see.”
“Eye exams are performed by Dr. Smith, an Eye M.D.”
“All Smallville Eye Associates are Board-Certified ophthalmologists (Eye M.D.s).”
 
Inappropriate uses:
“Eye M.D. care is total eye care for the whole family.”
“Eye M.D.—because there’s so much more to see.”
“Eye M.D. eye exams performed here.”
“All Smallville Eye Associates’ services are Eye M.D.-approved.”

Font and Type Style

The term “Eye M.D.” should be printed in letters in the same type font and size as surrounding text in the following forms: Eye M.D. or Eye M.D.s. The term Eye M.D. should not be used as a stand-alone logo, or printed in such a way to differentiate it from other surrounding text.

Examples of appropriate use:

John Doe, MD—an Eye M.D.
Dr. John Doe, Eye M.D.
John Doe & Jane Smith—Eye M.D.s


For specific examples regarding how to use the term Eye M.D., contact Communications at 415.447.0213 or eyemd@aao.org.