Our Medical Education

All members of the Hawaii Ophthalmological Society are fully trained Medical Doctors (M.D.s).  We complete four years of college, four years of medical school, at least one year of hospital-based internship and at least three to four years of hospital residency in our specialty.  Overall, a minimum of twelve years of higher education and closely supervised medical and surgical training are required to become an ophthalmologist.

Other Eye Care Providers

Ophthalmologists should not be confused with optometrists.  Optometrists have never graduated from medical school.  Optometrists (O.D.s) are not Medical Doctors (M.D.s).

Our Services

Ophthalmologists provide total eye care, including:

complete eye examinations
vision testing
exams for contact lenses and eyeglasses
medications for eye problems
laser surgery
eye surgery in all of Hawaii's major hospitals

Only an ophthalmologist has received the highest level of training attainable in the treatment of problems such as eye infections, eye muscle imbalances, cataracts, glaucoma and retinal disease.  Our rigorous M.D. training means that we have the knowledge and experience to diagnose and treat eye complications of diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and many others.

Loss of Sight May Be Prevented

Periodic visits to an ophthalmologist are as important to your health as physical exams by your family physician.  The early symptoms of eye disease may not be obvious, so periodic complete eye examinations are valuable.  In many cases, early treatment by an ophthalmologist will prevent unnecessary vision loss.

The National Eye Care Project

Many members of the Hawaii Ophthalmological Society participate in a nationwide program sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.  This program is available to needy persons 65 years or older who do not have a private ophthalmologist and who are legal U.S. residents.  Eye care is provided by volunteer ophthalmologists at no expense to the patient.  For more information or to register with the program, call toll-free 1 (800) 222-3937 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. weekdays.

Diabetes 2000

This community outreach program seeks to prevent unnecessary blindness related to diabetes.  The Hawaii Ophthalmological Society members participate in programs to educate the public about eye problems associated with diabetes and offer appropriate treatment.

Our Commitment to You

The Hawaii Ophthalmological Society is dedicated to the continuing medical education of its members in the latest advances in medical and surgical treatment of the eye.  Each of us provides high quality comprehensive eye care to all people on all the major islands.  When your eyes need care, our ophthalmologists offer you the level of eye care that only a Medical Doctor (M.D.) can provide.

The purposes of the corporation are as follows:

	To promote the practice of ophthalmology in the State of Hawaii.
	To promote continuing medical education by disseminating the latest information on ocular diagnostic, preventative, surgical and therapeutic procedures.
	To promote fellowship among the ophthalmologists in the State of Hawaii.
	To meet regularly to discuss all issues relating to the practice of ophthalmology.
	To encourage the ethical practice of ophthalmology.
	To cooperate with the community at large with a specialty board of ophthalmologists for their expert opinions on any disagreements relating to ophthalmology.