The British Ophthalmology Fellowship is a method that helps physicians excel in ophthalmology practice by following the standards of training, education, research, and innovation.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, its exams are the most difficult, but it is the only way to obtain a consultant degree in England. While the other college’s fellowship only gives a specialist.
It is the preferred path of some doctors, and the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons is evidence that the candidate has a good knowledge of the scientific basis of ophthalmology and has experience and competence in applying that knowledge to patients with common eye diseases, and to be able to manage patients and their eye diseases in a way Independent, safe and professional manner.
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh offers membership and fellowship. Since 2019, it has started relying entirely on ICO as it accepts its fellowship holders and is neutralized by its membership.
The ICO’s International Council of Ophthalmology programs aim to assist promising young physicians from low-resource countries to improve their practical skills and broaden their views of ophthalmology. Colleagues are expected to return knowledge and skills acquired to their countries of origin and participate in programs to maintain vision and prevent blindness.
The FRCS exam is a two-part test that includes both theoretical and practical assessment:
FRCS Gl part 1:
A one-day exam, theoretical, the candidate tests the subjects in basic science and optics. The exam consists of 160 MCQ questions in two hours.
ICO part A, B
Part A: Visual Sciences Exam
consists of 120 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), in three hours.
Part B: Optics, Refraction, and Instruments.
consists of 60 SBAs in one-and-a-half hours.
FRCS gl:
From October 2021, the assessment for the Part 2 examination will no longer be in two parts. The new format will consist of a single multiple-choice examination paper of 180 questions and for a duration of 2.5 hours.
ICO part C – Clinical Exam:
The Clinical Ophthalmology Examination is offered to Ophthalmologists who have passed part A, B Exams
The Examination consists of 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) over a four hour period. Each question consists of four options, single best answer.
Part 3 consists of two sections and candidates must sit both parts of this examination at each attempt, Oral and Clinical Examination.
The candidate gets college membership directly (MRCS ED). He is then tested in another Clinical Examination to obtain a Fellowship (FRCS ed).
It is divided into two halves, the first half to obtain MRCSI (Ophth) The exam is divided into three parts:
The second half to get the FRCSI (Ophth) is the one-hour VIVA exam.
The ICO exams are the most popular now since they cooperated with the other royal colleges to equal their certification, where the first part of them can be passed and are equivalent to the first part of the Royal College Fellowship in Glasgow. And can pass the second part of it is equivalent to the first paper of the second part of the Fellowship of the Royal College in Glasgow and remains for the candidate to enter the problem solving directly.
More importantly, after obtaining the FICO Fellowship, it can be equivalent to the Royal College of Edinburgh and obtain membership from it directly without exams.
ICO exams consist of 3 exams:
After a careful analysis of the performance of the tests and the feedback from students who preceded the exam, Connect Academy divided the problem into two main issues that most students face, namely the lack of understanding of the basic theories, and the failure to focus on preparing for the form of the test. Narrowing options to determine the correct answer is more difficult than expected.
We know that it is easy to get lost in the classroom with many students so to ensure that you get the personalized education you need all of our classes are taught by the most qualified lecturers who have already successfully passed all parts of the fellowship you wish to obtain.
We offer three different courses, where each part of the exam has its own course (the first part in theory – the second part in theory – the third part is practical).
The course covers all aspects of the exam, and you can easily get scientific books and study materials once you register for the course!
You will register online through the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, and to learn how to register you can visit the British Internal Medicine Fellowship Examination Services website.
The exam is held in the following months of each year:
Part 1: (March – April – October).
Part 2: (March – April – October).
