• My Dashboard My Education Find an Ophthalmologist
  • Home
  • Coronavirus
  • For Ophthalmologists
    • Meetings
      • AAO 2022
        • Meeting Information
          • Past and Future Meetings
          • Mobile Meeting Guide
          • Contact Information
          • Annual Meeting News
          • Health and Safety
          • Policies and Disclaimers
        • Program
          • Program Highlights
          • Subspecialty Day
          • Virtual Meeting
          • Program Committees
          • CME
          • Meeting Archives
        • Expo
        • Registration
        • Hotels & Travel
          • Hotel Reservation Information
          • Chicago
          • International Attendees
          • Hotel Meeting Space
        • Presenter Central
          • Presenter Central
          • Abstract Selection Process
          • Submission Policies
          • Subject Classification/Topics
          • Instruction Courses and Skills Transfer Labs
          • Papers and Posters
          • Videos
          • Grand Rounds Symposium
          • Program Participant and Faculty Guidelines
          • Faculty Development Program
        • Exhibitors
          • Exhibitor Central
          • Exhibitor Portal Information
          • Exhibitor Prospectus
          • New Exhibiting Companies
          • Exhibitor Resources
          • International Exhibitors
          • Promotional Opportunities
          • Exhibitor Hotel Reservations
      • Mid-Year Forum
        • Registration and Travel
        • Congressional Advocacy Day
        • Advocacy Ambassador Program
        • Program
        • Schedule
        • Sponsored Attendees
        • News
      • Codequest
        • Codequest Instructors
        • Claim Codequest CME or CEU Credit
      • Eyecelerator
    • Clinical Education
      • COVID-19
      • Education
        • Browse All Education
        • Courses
        • Cases
        • Learning Plans
        • Interactive
        • Focal Points
        • Wills Eye Manual
        • Disease Reviews
        • Clinical Webinars
        • Diagnose This
        • Self-Assessments
        • Educational Centers
          • Glaucoma Education Center
          • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
          • Laser Surgery Education Center
          • Myopia Resources
          • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
          • Redmond Ethics Center
      • Journals
      • Guidelines
        • Browse All Practice Guidelines
        • Preferred Practice Patterns
        • Clinical Statements
        • Compendium Guidelines
        • Complementary Therapy Assessments
        • Medical Information Technology
        • Ophthalmic Technology Assessments
        • Patient Safety Statements
        • Choosing Wisely
        • Low Vision
        • Eye Care for Older Adults
        • Eye Disease Statistics
        • About the Hoskins Center
      • Video and Image Library
        • Browse All Videos
        • Clinical and Surgical Videos
        • Presentations and Lectures
        • 1-Minute Videos
        • Master Class Videos
        • Basic Skills Videos
        • Interviews
        • Images
        • Submit an Image
        • Submit a Video
      • Podcasts
        • Browse All Audio and Podcasts
        • Experts InSight
        • Ophthalmology Journal
      • News
        • Browse All Clinical News
        • Editors' Choice
        • Headlines
        • Current Insight
      • CME Central
        • Browse All CME Activities
        • Claim CME Credit and View Transcript
        • CME Planning Resources
        • Complete Your Financial Disclosure
        • Joint Sponsorship Portal
        • LEO Continuing Education Recognition Award
        • Safe ER/LA Opioid Prescribing
        • Check Your Industry Payment Records
      • MOC
      • Resident Education
        • Resident Education Home
        • Browse All Resident Content
          • Courses
          • Flashcards
          • Interactive Cases and Simulations
          • Videos
          • Webinars
        • OKAP and Board Exam Resources
          • OKAP Exam
          • Board Prep Resources
          • OKAP and Board Review Presentations
          • Study Flashcards
        • Cataract Master
        • Diversity and Inclusion Education
        • News and Advice from YO Info
        • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
        • PGY-1 and PGY-2 Resources
        • Simulation in Resident Education
    • Membership
      • Join
      • Renew
      • Current Member
      • Volunteer
      • Physician Wellness
      • Member Directory
      • Member Obituaries
      • AAOE Membership
    • Advocacy
      • Advocacy News
      • Get Involved
        • Ways to Give
        • How to Get Involved
        • Congressional Advocacy
        • Support the Academy's Agenda
        • Research Legislation
        • Find Your Legislators
        • I Am an Advocate
        • Advocacy at Home
        • Advocate Tools
        • Best Practices for Advocating at Home
        • Social Media Toolkit
        • Letter to Editor
        • Town Hall Guide
        • Guide to Engaging With New Lawmakers
        • Resources
        • Attending a Political Fundraiser
      • OPHTHPAC
        • About Us
        • Join OPHTHPAC
        • OPHTHPAC Blog
      • Surgical Scope Fund
        • Support Surgery By Surgeons
        • Surgery By Surgeons Blog
    • Publications
      • EyeNet Magazine
        • Latest Issue
        • Archive
        • Subscribe
        • Advertise
        • Write For Us
        • Corporate Lunches
        • Contact
        • MIPS 2022
      • Focal Points
      • Ophthalmology
      • Ophthalmology Glaucoma
      • Ophthalmology Retina
      • YO Info
      • Scope
    • Subspecialties
      • Cataract/Anterior Segment
      • Comprehensive Ophthalmology
      • Cornea/External Disease
      • Glaucoma
      • Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit
      • Ocular Pathology/Oncology
      • Oculoplastics/Orbit
      • Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus
      • Refractive Management/Intervention
      • Retina/Vitreous
      • Uveitis
    • IRIS Registry
      • About
      • Using the Registry
        • User Guide
        • Medicare Reporting
        • Maintenance of Certification
        • Non-EHR Reporting
      • Sign Up
        • Application Process
        • Why Participate
        • Once You've Applied: Getting Started
        • What Practices Are Saying About the Registry
      • Requirements
        • EHR Systems
        • Data & Technical Needs
      • Research
      • Registry Dashboard
      • News
      • Medicare & MIPS
    • Medicare Information
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • For Practice Management
    • Managing Your Practice
      • Managing Your Practice Topics
      • Coronavirus Resources
      • Reopening & Recovery
      • Practice Forms Library
      • Practice Management News and Advice
      • AAOE-Talk
      • Video Library
      • Ophthalmology Job Center
      • Benchmarking and Salary Tools
      • Academy Consultations
      • Consultant Directory
    • Coding
      • Coding Topics
      • Codequest Events
      • Ask the Coding Experts
      • Coding Updates and Resources
      • Coding for Injectable Drugs
      • EM Documentation
      • ICD-10-CM
      • Ophthalmic Coding Specialist (OCS) Exam
      • Retina
      • Savvy Coder
    • Webinars and Events
      • Annual Meeting
        • Master Classes
        • Coding Sessions
        • Submit an Instruction Course
      • Codequest Courses
      • Mid-Year Forum
      • Webinar Recordings
      • Upcoming Webinars
    • IRIS Registry
      • Merit-Based Incentive Payment
    • Medicare and MIPS
      • MIPS
        • Quality
        • Promoting Interoperability
        • Improvement Activities
        • Cost
        • Avoid a Penalty
      • Resources
      • Medicare Participation Options
      • Medicare Advantage Plans
      • New Medicare Card
      • Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS)
    • Regulatory Compliance
      • HIPPA Resources
      • Office of Inspector General
      • Audits
      • OSHA
    • AAOE Membership
      • Join AAOE
      • Membership Benefits
      • Renew/Pay Dues
    • About AAOE
      • AAOE Board of Directors
      • AAOE Content Committee
      • Volunteer Opportunities
  • For Public & Patients
    • Eye Health A-Z
    • Symptoms
    • Glasses & Contacts
    • Tips & Prevention
    • News
    • Ask an Ophthalmologist
    • Patient Stories
    • No Cost Eye Exams
    • Español
      • A - Z de Salud Ocular
      • Síntomas
      • Anteojos y Lentes de Contacto
      • Consejos y Prevención
      • Noticias
      • Relatos de Pacientes
      • Exámenes de la vista sin costo
      • English
  • AAO 2022
    • Meeting Information
      • Past and Future Meetings
      • Mobile Meeting Guide
      • Contact Information
      • Annual Meeting News
      • Health and Safety
      • Policies and Disclaimers
    • Program
      • Program Highlights
      • Subspecialty Day
      • Virtual Meeting
      • Program Committees
      • CME
      • Meeting Archives
    • Expo
    • Registration
    • Hotels & Travel
      • Hotel Reservation Information
      • Chicago
      • International Attendees
      • Hotel Meeting Space
    • Presenter Central
      • Presenter Central
      • Abstract Selection Process
      • Submission Policies
      • Subject Classification/Topics
      • Instruction Courses and Skills Transfer Labs
      • Papers and Posters
      • Videos
      • Grand Rounds Symposium
      • Program Participant and Faculty Guidelines
      • Faculty Development Program
    • Exhibitors
      • Exhibitor Central
      • Exhibitor Portal Information
      • Exhibitor Prospectus
      • New Exhibiting Companies
      • Exhibitor Resources
      • International Exhibitors
      • Promotional Opportunities
      • Exhibitor Hotel Reservations
  • About
    • Who We Are
      • What We Do
      • About Ophthalmology
      • The Eye Care Team
      • Ethics and the Academy
      • History
      • Museum of Vision
      • Values
    • Governance
      • Council
      • Board of Trustees
      • Committees
      • Academy Past Presidents
      • Secretariats
      • Elections
      • Academy Blog
      • Academy Staff Leadership
    • Leadership Development
    • Awards
      • Laureate Recognition Award
      • Outstanding Advocate Award
      • Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award
      • International Blindness Prevention Award
      • Distinguished Service Award
      • Guests of Honor
      • Secretariat Award
      • Straatsma Award
      • Achievement Award Program
      • Artemis Award
      • EnergEYES Award
      • International Education Award
      • International Scholar Award
      • Commitment to Advocacy Award
      • Visionary Society Award
    • Financial Relationships
    • Policy Statements
    • Related Organizations
      • Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Society Directory
      • State Society Directory
      • Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Society Meetings
      • State Society Meetings
      • Resources for Societies
    • Year in Review
      • 2020 Year in Review
  • Foundation
    • About
      • 2020-2021 Annual Report
      • Annual Report Archives
      • News From the Chair
      • Foundation Staff
    • Our Impact
      • Partners for Sight
      • Donor Spotlights
      • Global Ophthalmic Community
      • Sponsorships
      • Patients and the Public
    • Giving Options
      • Our Supporters
      • Estate and Planned Giving
      • Ophthalmic Business Council
      • Parke Center Campaign
      • Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring Campaign
      • Museum of the Eye Campaign
    • Orbital Gala
      • Why Attend
      • Photo Recap
      • Corporate Support Opportunities
      • Tribute Gifts
      • Silent Auction
      • Corporate Sponsors
    • Donate
    • Museum of the Eye Campaign
      • Museum Supporters
  • Museum of the Eye
    • Visit
    • What's On
      • Museum Galleries
      • Special Exhibitions
      • Current Events
      • Past Events
    • Explore
      • Research and Resources
      • Collection Search
      • Previous Exhibits
      • Oral Histories
      • Biographies
    • Volunteer
    • Mailing List
    • Donate
    • About the Museum
      • Museum Blog
  • Young Ophthalmologists
    • YO Info
    • Learn to Bill
    • Engage with the Academy
  • Senior Ophthalmologists
    • Scope
    • Practice Transitions
  • International Ophthalmologists
    • Global Programs and Resources for National Societies
    • Awards
    • Global Outreach
  • Residents
  • Medical Students
×
Shop
Log In Create an Account
  • For Ophthalmologists
  • For Practice Management
  • For Public & Patients
  • Coronavirus
  • About
  • Foundation
  • Museum of the Eye
  • Who We Are
    • The Academy: Who We Are
    • The Academy: What We Do
    • About Ophthalmology
    • The Eye Care Team
    • Ethics and the Academy
    • Academy's History
    • Museum of the Eye
    • Academy Values

  • Governance
    • Governance
    • Council
    • Board of Trustees
    • Committees
    • Academy Past Presidents
    • Strategic Goals
    • Secretariats
    • Elections
    • Academy Blog
    • Academy Staff Leadership
  • Leadership Development
  • Awards
    • Academy Awards Program
    • Laureate Recognition Award
    • Outstanding Advocate Award
    • Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award
    • International Blindness Prevention Award
    • Distinguished Service Award
    • Guests of Honor
    • Special Recognition Award
    • Secretariat Award
    • Straatsma Award
    • Achievement Award Program
    • Artemis Award
    • EnergEYES Award
    • International Education Award
    • International Scholar Award
    • Commitment to Advocacy Award
  • Financial Relationships
  • Policy Statements
  • Related Organizations
    • Related Organizations
    • Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Society Meetings
    • State Society Meetings
    • Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Society Directory
    • State Society Directory
    • Resources for State Societies
    • About /
    • Policy Statements /
    • Glossary of Terms
  • Glossary of Terms

  • Profession of Medicine

    The art and science of maintaining health; recognizing, understanding, preventing, diagnosing, alleviating, managing, and treating disease, injury, disorder, and deformity in all their relations that affect the human body in general, including surgery.

    Medical Management and Treatment

    The provision of diagnostic and therapeutic services by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy to a person with a disease, injury, disorder, or deformity.

    Surgery

    The branch of medicine that treats diseases, injuries, deformities, and cosmetic appearance by any method of surgical treatment (see below) to repair, remove, disrupt, coagulate, or otherwise physically alter biological tissue for the intended treatment of disease, injury, deformity, or cosmetic problems.

    Surgical Treatment

    The application of surgery performed after the appropriate medical evaluation and diagnostic tests have determined its need. Surgery of the eye and ocular adnexa includes a wide range of treatment methods that can, in part, be considered under general categories. These categories include the following:

    Corneal/keratorefractive:

    Surgical procedures used for altering the shape of the cornea to correct corneal diseases or errors of refraction. These include, but are not limited to, lamellar and penetrating keratoplasty, DSEK), conductive keratoplasty, LASIK, LASEK, photorefractive keratectomy, and intrastromal corneal implants (plastics and hydrogels).

    Cryogenic:

    The use of very low temperatures; cryotherapy or cryoinstrumentation.

    Mechanical:

    Incision or excision of tissues.

    Pharmaceutical:

    Delivery of pharmaceutical agents, via intravascular, subdermal, intradermal, intralesional, intramuscular, intracameral, peribulbar, retrobulbar, subtenon, juxtascleral, subcutaneous, subconjunctival, or intravitreal routes.

    Photic:

    Laser surgery, including photocoagulation, photodisruption, photoablation with short pulsed lasers (i.e., excimer and neodymium:YAG lasers), and incision or excision using CO2 lasers and other laser techniques.

    Placement of implantable devices:

    Placement of intraocular lenses, glaucoma filtering devices, corneal refractive devices, intraocular drug delivery devices, scleral buckles, silicone or pyrex tubes for epiphora, and other devices.

    Radiation:

    The use of ionizing radiation for therapeutic purposes.

    Thermal:

    The use of electrical, direct or indirect thermal.

    Ultrasonic:

    Phacoemulsification of cataract.

    Doctor of Medicine

    A person who has received the degree of doctor of medicine (M.D.) following successful completion of a prescribed course of study in medicine and surgery at an accredited school of medicine.

    Doctor of Osteopathy

    A person who has received the degree of doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) following completion of a prescribed course of study in osteopathy at an accredited school of osteopathy.

    Physician

    A person who has received the degree of doctor of medicine (M.D.) or doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) following completion of a prescribed course of study in medicine and surgery at an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy

    Note: The definition of physician in federal law is sometimes used to include other health professions "for the purposes of reimbursement." This definition does not change the basic, generally accepted definitions that are given here.

    Ophthalmologist

    A physician (doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy) who specializes in the refractive, medical, and surgical care of the eyes and visual system and in the prevention of eye disease and injury. The ophthalmologist has completed four or more years of college premedical education; four or more years of medical school; and four or more years of residency, including at least three years of residency in ophthalmology. The ophthalmologist is a specialist who is qualified by lengthy medical education, training, and experience to diagnose, treat, and manage all eye and visual system problems and is licensed by a state regulatory board to practice medicine and surgery. The ophthalmologist is the medically trained specialist who can deliver total eye care: primary, secondary, and tertiary care services (i.e., vision services, spectacle and contact lens prescriptions, eye examinations, medical eye care, and surgical eye care), diagnose general diseases of the body, and treat ocular manifestations of systemic diseases.

    Optometrist

    A health service provider who is involved primarily with refractive problems. Optometrists are specifically educated and trained by an accredited optometry college in a four-year course, but they do not attend medical school. They are state licensed to examine the eyes, determine the presence of refractive problems, correct refractive problems with glasses or contact lenses, and to detect and manage limited ophthalmic medical eye disease.

    Optician

    A professional who makes, verifies, delivers, and fits lenses, frames, and other specially fabricated optical devices and/or contact lenses according to prescription for the intended wearer. The optician's functions include prescription analysis and interpretation; determination of the lens forms best suited to the wearer's needs; preparation and delivery of work orders for the grinding of lenses and the fabrication of eye wear; verification of the finished optical products; and adjustment, replacement, repair, and reproduction of previously prepared lenses, frames, and other specially fabricated optical devices.

    Ocularist

    A professional who designs, makes, and fits artificial eyes.

    Comprehensive, or Total, Eye Care

    Refractive, medical, and surgical eye services provided by an ophthalmologist. Refractive and optical services are included as an integral part of comprehensive, or total, eye care.

    Refraction

    Determination of the optical state of the eye as the basis for prescribing glasses and contact lenses.

    Vision Services

    Refractive and optical services delivered by ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. These services include the supplying, dispensing, and fitting of glasses and contact lenses, if required, and, except for opticians, also include an examination of the eye for corrective lenses.

    Vision Care

    A term commonly used to describe vision services when provided as part of insurance and other third-party payment programs that generally can be equated with refraction plus dispensing of glasses and contact lenses.

    Approved by: Board of Directors, June 1983

    Revised and Approved by: Board of Directors, June 1990

    Revised and Approved by: Board of Trustees, June 1993

    Revised and Approved by: Board of Trustees, February 1998

    Revised and Approved by: Board of Trustees, November 2003

    Revised and Approved by: Board of Trustees, October 2005

    Revised and Approved by: Board of Trustees, August 2009

    ©2009 American Academy of Ophthalmology®
    P.O. Box 7424 / San Francisco, CA 94120 / 415.561.8500

  • Dates & Deadlines
    JUL 13
    ASRS Annual Meeting New York, NY
    The 2022 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), from July 13-17, 2022, in New York, NY.
    View
    JUL 14
    Webinar: Employment Contracts – Practical Considerations for the Young Ophthalmologist
    As young ophthalmologists finish their formal training and head out to join the physician workforce, employment contracts can seem daunting to review, much less negotiate. Join us for this free, AAOE-sponsored webinar. You’ll get practical, real-world tips from a seasoned health care attorney and longtime practice administrator. A physician practice owner will moderate. The session will be interactive, so come with your questions. Presenters: Julia Lee, JD, Arvind Saini, MD, MBA, Bruce D. Armon
    View
    JUL 15
    Georgia Society of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting Amelia Island, FL
    2022 annual meeting of the Georgia state ophthalmology society, July 15-17, 2022, in Amelia Island, FL.
    View
    See all

    Save event

    Select your calendar system below.

    • Google Calendar
    •   Outlook or Apple Calendar
    • Yahoo Calendar

    Note: You will have to be signed in to your calendar and may have to enable pop-ups to add events.

  • The Academy Store
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Complete Print Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Complete eBook Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Complete Print and eBook Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Residency Print Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Residency eBook Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course Complete Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course Residency Set
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 01: Update on General Medicine
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 02: Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 03: Clinical Optics and Vision Rehabilitation
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 04: Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 05: Neuro-Ophthalmology
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 06: Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 07: Oculofacial Plastic and Orbital Surgery
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 08: External Disease and Cornea
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 09: Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 10: Glaucoma
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 11: Lens and Cataract
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 12: Retina and Vitreous
    2022-2023 Basic and Clinical Science Course, Section 13: Refractive Surgery
    2022 IRIS Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) Preparation Kit
    Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs
    Retina Patient Education Video Collection
    Cataract and Refractive Surgery Patient Education Video Collection
    Glaucoma Patient Education Video Collection
    Oculoplastics Patient Education Video Collection
    Pediatrics Patient Education Video Collection
    2022 Coding Coach: Complete Ophthalmic Coding Reference 
    2022 CPT: Complete Pocket Ophthalmic Reference
    2022 Retina Coding: Complete Reference Guide
  • Most Commented
    Loading, please wait...
    There are no comments available.
    Most Viewed
    Loading, please wait...
    Most Viewed content is not available.
 
  • Contact Us
  • About the Academy
  • Jobs at the Academy
  • Financial Relationships with Industry
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Help
  • For Advertisers
  • For Media
  • Ophthalmology Job Center

OUR SITES

  • EyeWiki
  • International Society of Refractive Surgery

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY

Medical Professionals

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Public & Patients

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Museum of the Eye

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Trip Advisor
  • Yelp
© American Academy of Ophthalmology 2022