Welcome to the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology

The MAO represents over 320 eye physicians and surgeons throughout the state of Minnesota. As Eye MDs, we are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality comprehensive eye care.  We hope you find this resource useful and welcome comments on how we may better serve your needs.

 

How to Safely Watch the 2024 Solar Eclipse

On April 8, 2024, the entire United States will see a partial eclipse of the sun. Parts of 15 states, from Texas to Maine, will experience a total solar eclipse.

If you get a chance to see it, make sure to protect your eyes. Looking at the sun without a solar filter, whether through a camera lens or with your bare eyes, can severely damage your eyes and cause vision loss.

Looking at the sun without the right eye protection — for even a short time — can damage your retina permanently. It can even cause blindness, called solar retinopathy.

Keep in mind that ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, or homemade filters are not safe for looking at the sun.

There is only one safe way to look directly at the sun, whether during an eclipse or not: through special-purpose solar filters. These solar filters are used in “eclipse glasses” or in hand-held solar viewers. They must meet a very specific worldwide standard known as ISO 12312-2.

For information about where to get the proper eyewear or handheld viewers, check out the American Astronomical Society.

Make sure you protect your eyes and vision by following these safety steps brought to you by the:

American Academy of Ophthalmology

Mayo Clinic

Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology

 

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Ophthalmologists are board certified medical doctors and surgeons who provide the highest quality of medical and surgical eye care for military veterans, and who are committed to maintaining the highest possible safety standards.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is considering policies that would reverse those surgical standards by subjecting our veterans to eye surgery performed by someone without proper medical education and surgical training.

That’s right. A person who did not go to medical school or complete a surgical residency training program could perform surgery using a blade or laser on the eyes of our brave veterans.

We cannot let this happen.

If you care about protecting the health and safety of those who sacrificed for our country, educate policymakers and the public about the dangers facing our veterans.

As ophthalmologists, we are dedicated to protecting sight and empowering lives. If the VA makes these changes, it will lower surgical eye standards and place veterans’ eyesight and quality of life at risk. They deserve better. They’ve earned it.

Donate today.

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Support for Ukraine

The Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology joins organizations around the world standing in support of the Ukrainian people as innocent civilians are being targeted by the Russian military.  The attack has put their lives and safety at risk.

There is a great need for donations of medical supplies for the refugees displaced by this war and for the hospitals taking care of civilians and injured military personnel.  If you would like to support the Minnesota Medical Relief Group for Ukraine, please, consider making donations to the Ukrainian American Community Center at the link below.  Any support you can give will be much appreciated.

Ukrainian American Community Center:  https://uaccmn.org/