Residency Education
The need for ophthalmologists with a high level of education and training is of critical importance to preserving and restoring vision. This is particularly important in developing countries where there are not an adequate number of skilled eye professionals.
The ICO has one Committee and one Sub-Committee that seek to enhance and improve resident physician training:
- Committee on Curricula and Expectations for Training Programs – Chair, Andrew G. Lee, MD
- Sub-Committee on Residency Training – Chair, N Venkatesh Prajna, DNB
These commitees are involved in the training programs listed below. Questions about ICO education programs should be directed to: educators@icoph.org.
ICO Residency Curriculum
- Based on analysis of curricula for the training of ophthalmologists from more than 30 countries, collected and reviewed by the task force.
- Describes a broad-based curriculum for basic, standard, and advanced levels of ophthalmic training.
- Presents an international consensus on what ophthalmologists and subspecialists in ophthalmology should be taught and provides a standardized content outline for ophthlamic training.
- Delivered online, the curriculum is intended to be translated and adapted for use in different countries and cultures.
In 2012, the ICO completed a major update to the 2006 Residency Curriculum. Sixteen international task force committees, led by Dr. Andrew Lee, participated in the revision.
Updates include the following:
- New fourth level, “Very Advanced,” corresponding to a “subspecialist” or “fellow” level of training
- Addition of Community Eye Health section
- Refractive Surgery as stand-alone section
- Delineation of “must know” cognitive and technical skills
Download the ICO Residency Curricula in English: www.icoph.org/refocusing_
International Council of Ophthalmology - Center for Ophthalmic Educators (ICO-COE)
- The Center is located at: www.educators.icoph.org
- The resource center and forum offer the latest topics, teaching methods, and tools in residency education.
- The Center provides ophthalmic educators with information on: how to teach, what to teach, and what to teach with.
- The Center's monthly newletter, Ophthalmic Educators Letter, includes news and announcements about recently added and updated resources in the Center.
ICO Residency Program Directors Courses
- The courses are sponsored by the ICOFoundation, supported by The Allergan Foundation, and conducted by the ICO since 2004.
- They are held each year in cities around the world, coordinated through the regional national ophthalmologic society.
- The courses focus on methods of instruction, skill assessment, behavior adjustment, and competence measurement.
- Structured as a two-day conference, the ICO Residency Program Directors Course is open to educators on an invitation-only basis.
Courses have been held in Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Finland, Greece, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Slovenia, and Turkey.
Ophthalmology Residency Education Resources
Principles and Guidelines of a Curriculum for Education of the Ophthalmic Specialist
This is a curriculum presented by International Task Force on Resident and Specialist Education in Ophthalmology on behalf of… More »
- May 13, 2010
- Save to My ICO
CorneaEd Educational Database
CorneaEd is a comprehensive educational database for ophthalmologists, with the aim of providing detailed information and… More »
- November 16, 2012
- Save to My ICO
Ophthalmic Clinical Evaluation Exercise (OCEX) Checklist in English and Chinese
The OCEX checklist, for use during observed resident-patient interactions, can be used to assess a resident's patient care… More »
- July 17, 2012
2 ratings- Save to My ICO
Clinical Practice Guidelines-Diabetic Retinopathy, Latin America
This Spanish-language resource outlines clinical-practice guidelines for treating diabetic retinopathy in Latin America. It… More »
- July 14, 2011
- Save to My ICO
Two Articles: Curriculum and Setup of Ophthalmic Wet Laboratories
Two articles for residency programs considering setting up a wet laboratory, as well as for those wanting to improve their… More »
- March 31, 2011
- Save to My ICO
Community Eye Health (CEH) Workshop Residency Programs in Brazil: Possible Options on Curriculum Design
Here you can find suggested objectives and content to develop curricula for training residents in Community Eye Care: a… More »
- October 5, 2010
- Save to My ICO
