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American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry

Lewin Study Finds Large Optometry Surpluses

The 2014 Lewin Studies (AOA supervised), the most recent and comprehensive studies to date, found a 30% excess capacity of practicing optometrists for 2012. Two earlier studies had predicted future surpluses (Abt. Associates and RAND Corporation) but were ignored. Since the 2014 Lewin reports graduation rates continued to rise and are now (As of July, 2018) 70% higher than in 1991 (1,900 vs. 1,115). When the Lewin study was conducted the graduation rate was 47% higher than the 1991 benchmark graduation rate.

Despite three prior studies and rapid increase in enrollments, the schools and the AOA continued to state demand for future optometrists was strong to its members and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Lewin Study Finds Large Optometry Surpluses – an Editorial Analysis by Dr. Kenneth J. Myers (PDF)

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

October 15, 2014
Filed Under: Reflections

ABCMO News, Updates & Editorials


ABCMO News

  • Newsletter – ABCMO News and Updates – May 2022
  • A Reminder to VA Residents
  • Advanced Competence in Medical Optometry (ACMO) Exam – Friday, June 10, 2022
  • 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.

Email Updates

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

Veterans/Military

  • Optometry Careers at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
  • Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) and Financial Assistance Program (FAP)
  • Uniformed Services University
  • American Board of Optometry Specialties

    ABCMO is a Member of the American Board of Optometry Specialties (ABOS)

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