Why do ophthalmologists call themselves plastic surgeons?

Oculoplastic Surgery is a subspecialty that requires 2 year fellowship AFTER completing ophthalmology residency. This subspecialty focuses on reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery of the eyes and surrounding areas, and they are members of ASOPRS.  They are different than those board certified by ABPS; the latter encompasses a group that have completed general surgery residency with subsequent fellowship in plastic surgery of the whole body (which can be reconstructive and/or cosmetic).

It's very simple:  Occuloplastic Surgeons are Occuloplastic Surgeons.  Based on your previous posts, it appears as if you have been given partisan information. The history of modern plastic surgery dates to an Otolaryngologist, Sir Harold Delf Gillies in the period associated with the two great wars.  Gillies was heavily influenced by a French Maxillofacial Surgeon, Hippolyte Morestin. Modern "Plastic Surgery" is a conglomeration of knowledge from Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and General Surgery.  There are different disciplines in aesthetic surgery composed of 4 major "core" groups:  Facial Plastic Surgeons, Occuloplastic Surgeons, Plastic Surgeons, and Dermatologists.  Gaining entry into any of these specialties requires exceptional performance in medical school and residency.  As opposed to historical internecine animosities, there is a great spirit of cooperation between the specialties.  However, there are outliers who do not support cooperation.  I would be careful about equating your own bad experience with an individual surgeon with the qualities of training of any specialty.  In my training and practice, I have worked with individuals from each of the 4 core groups, witnessing both superstars and marginal Surgeons. 

This is confusing because there is a specialty that calls itself "Plastic Surgery." Other surgical and medical specialties that offer high quality plastic surgery include facial plastic surgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology and oculofacial or oculoplastic surgery, dermatology, and certain very specifically trained maxillofacial surgeons.  Beyond this there is a degree of crossover in what is offered.  For example, general surgeons without a formal training in general plastic surgery may offer cosmetic surgery.  Some of these individuals may in fact be fellowship trained outside of ACGME approved fellowships and residencies.  It is confusing for the public.  The slogan "only go to a board certified plastic surgeon" is the public relations slogan of the general plastic surgeons.  We live in a subspecialty world.  Many of the subspecialty surgeons offer work that is truthfully much better than what one may find with a particular plastic surgeon.  The important thing to understand is that good people are where you find them.  In your community, you may find general surgeons who practice a very high level of oncoplastic breast surgery and this type of work may not be offered by the local plastic surgeons.  You may live in a community with excellent aesthetic oculoplastic surgeons and the level of service may be much better than that offered by other surgeons.In ophthalmology, blepharoplasty and other oculoplastic surgeries are a part of core training in ophthalmology.  Beyond this, an ophthalmologist, having completed a 3 year accredited residency, can go on to do a two year fellowship in oculofacial surgery.  During that training, the fellow is involved in well over 2500 eyelid and facial plastic surgeries.  These numbers dwarf the exposure other surgical specialties offer their trainees in these surgical areas.  Most of the oculofacial fellowships actually offer the fellows more facial plastic surgery training than general plastic surgeons are exposed to in their residencies.  You can decide for yourself if in-depth training makes a difference.  Common sense says that it does.Now how about for a particular set of surgeons.  Say you have narrowed your choice down to an oculoplastic surgeons vs. a general surgeon for an eyelid procedure.  This can some times be a difficult decision.  Ask yourself which office did you like more.  How did you like the particular surgeon. Do they listen to you?  Do they make sense?  Study their respective websites.  Which one seems more focused on your area of concern?    How detailed was your examination?  Does the doctor have the equipment needed to carefully examine the eyes?