Eye Doctor Board Certifications Explained: ABO, COVD, NORA

Many working people participate in professional organizations, some of which help ensure a professional’s capabilities and expertise, and optometry is no different! We find that participating in professional groups such as these helps us to expand our knowledge and understanding of what we do and, in turn, better serve our patients.

Here is some information on different organizations our doctors are part of:

ABO

The American Board of Optometry, or ABO, was incorporated in 2009, and oversees the process of board certification for optometrists. Board certification and maintenance is voluntary, and establishes standards that demonstrate that an optometrist has exceeded simply the requirements to legally practice.

Though optometrists need to complete state and national boards, The National Board of Examiners in Optometry says that this is not equivalent to “board certification.” Going through the rigorous process of becoming board certified ensures an optometrist’s excellence and maintaining that board certification shows an ongoing commitment to quality patient care.

Those who choose to become board certified participate in a Continuous Assessment Program to maintain certification, which includes self-assessment modules, triannual mini-assessments, and continuing education.

COVD

This acronym is short for College of Optometrists in Vision Development. The name comes from the principle that vision is able to be developed. The group is an international association of eye care professionals that can include vision therapists, optometrists, and optometry students.

The mission of the organization is to advance “excellence in optometric vision therapy and rehabilitation through education and board certification” in order to better serve people of all ages. COVD was established in 1971 and provides board certification for practitioners to provide specialized vision care services like vision therapy, behavioral and developmental vision care, and neuro-optometric rehabilitation.

The process to pass the COVD International Examination and Certification Board is rigorous, evaluating a professional’s abilities and knowledge in offering behavioral and developmental care for patients. In addition, professionals are encouraged to attend an annual conference where they can learn the latest improvements in vision health and technology.

NORA

NORA stands for Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association. Neuro-optometric rehabilitation is a treatment regimen created individually for patients who have visual issues stemming from traumatic brain injury, physical disability, and/or other neurological factors.

Any health care professional, along with educators and students, is eligible to be a member of NORA. This allows the group to span across disciplines in the name of providing patients with cognitive or physical disabilities due to brain injury a better quality of life. Because the group encompasses different types of health care professionals, members are better able to work across disciplines to help advance their own professional knowledge and approach in working with patients.

The group was formed in the early 1990s, has an annual conference, and offers networking opportunities and continuing education to contribute to members’ growth.

Our Award Winning, Board Certified Eye Doctors

At Uptown Eye Care, you will be seen by some of the best and brightest eye doctors in the nation! If you’d like to learn more about our award winning team of Ophthalmologists & Optometrists, see our staff page here, or click on a specific doctor profile below to be taken to their bio page.