American Board of Ophthalmology

Serving Orange County, California and Surrounding Communities

Founded in 1916, the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for certifying ophthalmologists (eye physicians and surgeons) in the United States. The mission of the ABO is to serve the public by improving the quality of ophthalmic practice through a certification and maintenance of certification process that fosters excellence and encourages continual learning.

Certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology is a voluntary process, and is the last step in a long and intensive educational experience designed to assure quality eye care for the American people. Dr. Khanna who practices in Los Angeles county, volunteered to be examined so that patients know they are coming to a certified ophthalmologist. This was a culmination 20 years of medical training.

Certification is granted to ophthalmologists who successfully complete an accredited course of education in ophthalmology and an evaluation including an examination process. Dr. Khanna did this part of training at SUNY downstate, New York.

The Board certification process includes two examinations: a written qualifying examination and an oral examination.

• The certification application and examination process requires a minimum of one and one-half to two years to complete, during which time the candidate is usually in clinical practice or in a fellowship program acquiring advanced training in one of the subspecialties of ophthalmology.
• Candidates may apply for Board certification following completion of residency. The application filing period runs from March to August 1 each year.
• A candidate who successfully passes both the written qualifying and oral examinations becomes a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Written Qualifying Examination

The written qualifying examination (WQE) is a 250 multiple-choice question examination designed to evaluate the breadth and depth of the basic science and clinical knowledge of candidates who have satisfactorily completed an accredited program of education in ophthalmology. It is necessary to pass this examination before being admitted to the Oral Examination.

Oral Examination

The oral examination is the second evaluation in the Board certification process. Upon successful completion of the Written Qualifying Examination (WQE) candidates are sent specific instructions for registration for the oral examination.

The oral examination is a timed examination and requires candidates to “care for” a series of patients. All examinations are given by appointment within a half day period. The half day period is divided into six examinations to allow multiple examiners to assess the candidate’s patient care ability. The pooled group of examiners is referred to as a panel. As you might have guessed Dr. Khanna passed this exam.

Scope of Oral Examination
The oral examination includes clinical scenarios representative of developmental, dystrophic, degenerative, inflammatory, infectious, toxic, traumatic, neoplastic, and vascular diseases affecting the eye and its surrounding structures.

Aspects of the candidate’s ability that are tested in the oral examination:
The oral examination is designed to simulate how candidates care for patients in a clinical setting. Candidates are assessed with regard to their ability to incorporate the cognitive knowledge demonstrated in the written examination with judgment on caring for a patient. A candidate is presented with a series of props, each of which represents one patient or clinical situation, and is asked to identify how he/she would care for that patient. The examiner assesses a candidate’s ability to demonstrate patient care skills in the following areas:

• Data Acquisition: Recognition by the candidate of depicted abnormalities and diseases that affect the eye, ocular adnexa and the visual pathways. Candidates will be asked for historical information and examination data that might be obtained on a patient with a particular condition depicted or described.
• Diagnosis: The ability of candidates to synthesize historical and physical evaluation information, along with the appropriate laboratory data to arrive at correct diagnoses and differential diagnoses.
• Treatment: Candidates will be expected to provide a reasonable and appropriate plan for medical and/or surgical management of patients with the conditions depicted or described and be able to discuss the prognosis and/or therapeutic complications for the particular condition.

Dr. Khanna with his vast knowledge, clinical experience and excellent bedside manner, was able to pass this test.

Successful Completion of the Oral Examination
A candidate who successfully passes both the Written Qualifying and Oral Examinations has completed the requirements for Board certification and are warded a certificate valid for ten years. Physicians who have received the certificate are DIPLOMATES of the Board.

Dr. Khanna, Medical Director of Khanna Institute of Lasik and Refractive Surgery with locations in Beverly Hills , Westlake Village and Valencia is a certified diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology. The peers have researched and certified him, so that you don’t have to research when choosing him.