After dilating the eyes, the ACVO Diplomate will perform a painless examination of the dog’s eyes. The doctor will complete the OFA form and indicate any disease(s) found. Dog breeding info will be offered based on guidelines established for that particular breed by the genetics committee of the ACVO. Bear in mind that OFA and the ACVO are separate but cooperating entities. The ACVO only provides their professional services and expertise to ensure that uniform standards are upheld for the certification of dog’s eyes with these organizations.

If the dog is certified to be free of heritable eye disease, you can then send in the completed owner’s copy of the OFA form with the appropriate fee. The certification is good for 1 year from the date of the exam and afterward the dog must be reexamined and re-certified to maintain it's registration with OFA.

Regardless of the outcome of the dog’s exam, the research data from the OFA exam will be sent to the OFA office, where its information will be entered into the database for that specific breed. This information will be used in generating research reports, but the individual dog’s identities will remain confidential and will never be released.