Eye Certification Frequently Asked Questions
When will I get my Eye Certification Registry certificate?
I received my certificate in the mail today and noticed that it says “Identification not verified/scanned.” What does this mean?
How long will it take for me to receive my certificate once I’ve mailed my form to OFA?
Is there a minimum age requirement to perform an eye clearance exam on a dog?
Is there a board certified ophthalmologist in my area?
How much does an Eye Certification examination cost?
How much does it cost to register my Eye Certification examination with the OFA?
I made my Eye Certification examination appointment; where do I download the form to bring with me to the appointment?
When will I get my Eye Certification Registry certificate?
To receive a certificate in the mail, the owner must mail in their original owner’s copy of the exam along with the registration fee for OFA ($12 for initial application, $8 for resubmissions; no charge for abnormal results). The veterinary ophthalmologist will mail in a research copy but the OFA does not match up any personal identification on those forms. The research copy is strictly used for statistical purposes.
I received my certificate in the mail today and noticed that it says “Identification not verified/scanned.” What does this mean?
There is a check box on the lower right hand portion of the examination form that the veterinary ophthalmologist should fill in if a microchip is scanned and verified at the time of the examination. If this check box was not marked and if there are no comments stating a chip, or tattoo number was verified at the time of the examination, the certificate and resulting OFA number will have a "NOPI" suffix if no identification was present, or a "PI" suffix if id was provided but not verified. Dog whose id information was provided and verified by the examining ophthalmologist will have a "VPI" suffix. ONLY those dogs with verified permenent id (VPI) at the time of the exam will have their results forwarded to the AKC.
How long will it take for me to receive my certificate once I’ve mailed my form to OFA?
Once we receive your paperwork the average turnaround time is 5-7 business days.
Is there a minimum age requirement to perform an eye clearance exam on a dog?
There is not a minimum age requirement; the age is completely up to the examining veterinarian; however the puppy’s eyes must be open.
Can my regular vet perform an eye clearance examination?
Only a board certified veterinary ophthalmologist (a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology – ACVO) may perform an eye clearance examination. For a list of board certified ophthalmologists in your area, visit www.acvo.org and click on “Locate an Ophthalmologist.”
Is there a board certified ophthalmologist in my area?
You can visit the American College of Veterinary Medicine website at www.acvo.org and click on “Locate an Ophthalmologist” to find someone in your area.
How much does an Eye Certification examination cost?
Each ophthalmologist will have their own pricing schemes for eye certification exams. Please contact the veterinarian for pricing in your area.
How much does it cost to register my Eye Certification examination with the OFA?
For a new OFA Eye Certification registration, the fee is $12. For a resubmission, the fee is $8. There is no fee to register a dog with an abnormal exam result.
I made my Eye Certification examination appointment; where do I download the form to bring with me to the appointment?
Currently there is no downloadable form. The veterinarian will have the form needed for the examination. Please be sure to take your registration paperwork with you to aid in completing the form.
