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American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry

Michael W. Ohlson, O.D., FAAO

Michael OhlsonMichael W. Ohlson graduated from Buena Vista College and received his doctorate from the University of Houston College of Optometry. He has been awarded Diplomate status in the American Academy of Optometry Primary Care Section and the American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry.

He has been inducted as a Distinguished Practitioner and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice and awarded the Optometrist of the Year Award from the Iowa Optometric Association. Dr. Ohlson is a Past President and Life Member of the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry and the low vision consultant to Iowa Educational Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired.

His volunteer efforts include InfantSEE, Lions Clubs International-Special Olympics Opening Eyes, and Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity/International. For his contributions, providing eye care to the Head Start children of northeast Iowa, he was presented the Governor’s Volunteer Award.

When not seeing patients at his private practice in rural Iowa, Dr. Ohlson’s favorite activity is spending time with his spouse, Joleen, and their beloved daughter, Samantha.

Email Updates

ABCMO News

  • ACMO Exam Scheduled for Thursday, June 22, 2023
  • Newsletter – ABCMO News and Updates – May 2022
  • A Reminder to VA Residents
  • Newsletter – ABCMO News and Updates – September 2021
  • Newsletter – ABCMO News and Updates – January 2021

Reflections – Articles of Interest and Editorials

  • 10 Administrators for Every Doctor
  • What is Medical Optometry?
  • A Letter to VA Optometry Residency Coordinators: Benefits of ACMO
  • Retail and Clinical Pharmacy
  • It’s Time to Rethink Board Recertification

Comments are welcome and can be sent to editor@abcmo.org for publication under the author's name.

Certification Requirements

The following are in addition to an O.D. degree from an accredited North American school or college of optometry and a current state license to practice.

Residency: Completion of a full-time, ACOE (or equivalent) accredited, postgraduate clinical residency training program having major emphasis on medical optometry.

ACMO Exam: Passage of the Advanced Competence in Medical Optometry exam (or equivalent) offered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.

Practice: Documented significant practice of medical optometry for a minimum of two years immediately prior to application for certification.

The Practice requirement is waived in the two years immediately following residency training.

Complete Application and Requirements

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