I brought Dr. Rand Paul to Bowling Green about 15 years ago, and we practiced together about five years.

He is an excellent eye physician and surgeon. He took and passed the American Board of Ophthalmology exam on his first try, and was officially board certified for the next 10 years. During that time, the board changed its rules.

Before that, board certification once passed was permanent. Kentucky has requirements for maintenance of medical licensure that must be met each year, but specialty certification was permanent.

In 1995, the American Board of Ophthalmology let older ophthalmologists retain their certification permanently, but made younger ones re-certify every 10 years. This caught Dr. Paul in the younger group.

He protested, along with many others, to no avail. He thought if any had to recertify, all should. I agree with him, but that wasn’t done.

In 1997, Dr. Paul founded an alternate board, called the National Board of Ophthalmology, and about 200 ophthalmologists joined that, but it was not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the organization that certifies medical specialty boards. That board requires recertification for all its members in all specialties.

To protest the change in rules, Dr. Paul did not choose to recertify with the American Board of Ophthalmology. I am very familiar with his competence and assure you he would have no problem passing a recertification exam.

I am one of the older ophthalmologists who did not have to recertify, and I am an associate examiner for the ABO oral board examinations, but I think Dr. Paul’s stance is really the correct one. It would be better if we all were periodically recertified.

I am planning to do that soon, voluntarily.

John E. Downing

Bowling Green