Part 2: Lifelong Learning & Self-Assessment

To satisfy the Lifelong Learning and Self Assessment element of MOC, diplomates must complete the following components:

Continuing Medical Education

Continuing Medical Education is a key component of the lifelong learning requirement. Diplomates must obtain 25 Category 1 CME credits per year from an Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) approved organization as of the date of certification and throughout the 10-year MOC cycle.   At least 80 percent of the Category 1 CME credits must be relevant to the practice of ophthalmology; the remainder of the CME credit hours can be in general medicine.

To submit CME credits at any time, log in to your diplomate status page via the login in the upper right corner of this page, and click the "Update CME" link on your MOC Status Page. 

Beginning in 2012, newly certified diplomates and diplomates starting a new MOC cycle will participate in MOC an annual basis and must obtain twenty-five CME credits per year through the ten-year MOC Cycle.  Eight of the annual 25 CME required must qualify as Self-Assessment CME and one activity must qualify as Patient Safety.

Periodic Ophthalmic Review Tests (PORTs)

A PORT is a 50-item, self-review test available online, on-demand. PORTs are available in core ophthalmic knowledge (knowledge considered fundamental to the practice of ophthalmology) and 10 different Practice Emphasis Areas (PEAs). All diplomates complete two PORTs during the MOC cycle: one in core ophthalmic knowledge and one in the practice emphasis area of their choice. PORTs serve as precursors for the Demonstration of Ophthalmic Cognitive Knowledge (DOCK) examination and reflect the content of this exam. PORTs are completed prior to registration for the cognitive examination, unless otherwise noted in the MOC timeline. Participation in PORTs is designed to help gauge strengths and weaknesses prior to sitting for the closed-book DOCK exam.

The PORTs are available via the ABO's diplomate portal, accessible via the login at the top right of this page..