Editing Ophthalmology (section)

===Philippines===
In the Philippines, Ophthalmology is considered a medical specialty that uses medicine and surgery to treat diseases of the eye. There is only one professional organization in the country that is duly recognized by the PMA and the PCS: the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pao.org.ph/ |title=Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology |work=PAO.org.ph |access-date=2012-05-27 |archive-date=2018-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129054603/http://www.pao.org.ph/ |url-status=live }}</ref> PAO and the state-standard Philippine Board of Ophthalmology (PBO) regulates ophthalmology residency programs and board certification. To become a general ophthalmologist in the Philippines, a candidate must have completed a doctor of medicine degree (MD) or its equivalent (e.g. MBBS), have completed an internship in Medicine, have passed the physician licensure exam, and have completed residency training at a hospital accredited by the Philippine Board of Ophthalmology (accrediting arm of PAO).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pao.org.ph/pbo.php |title=PBO Officers |website=PAO.org.ph |date=2012-12-01 |access-date=2013-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302111113/http://pao.org.ph/pbo.php |archive-date=2013-03-02}}</ref> Attainment of board certification in ophthalmology from the PBO is essential in acquiring privileges in most major health institutions. Graduates of residency programs can receive further training in ophthalmology subspecialties, such as neuro-ophthalmology, retina, etc. by completing a fellowship program that varies in length depending on each program's requirements.