Programs: Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessments

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• Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessments
  
  
• ICOFoundation Support for Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessments
  
  
• More on Programs Supported by the ICOFoundation

Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessments

The ICO Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessments in Basic Science and in the Clinical Sciences are conducted annually to address the question “What has been learned?” by ophthalmologists in training. The Assessments are formal written examinations that present questions prepared by a multinational committee of examiners chaired by Dr. Peter G. Watson (United Kingdom). Examinations are set at the same standard as the highest board, college and qualifying examinations in the world.

Assessment questions are translated from English into French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish and other languages according to need. At the time of examination, the English version is presented along with the alternate language so that comparisons can be made by the candidate.

Successful passage of the ICO Assessments is recognized by a certificate that is universally acknowledged to show that the holder has achieved a high standard of theoretical knowledge. In Turkey and a number of other countries, the Basic Science and Clinical Sciences Assessments are part of the national examination for ophthalmology certification.

Dr. Watson has elected to step down as Director of the ICO Assessments after many years of brilliant leadership. In 2008, Dr. David Taylor (United Kingdom) will commence appointment as Director of the ICO Assessments.

Dr. Peter G. Watson
Director, ICO Assessments

The ICOFoundation provides support funds to extend the Assessments to candidates unable to compete for the certificate because of economic factors and to encourage regional initiative for use of the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessments in geographic sectors without formal written evaluations. In 2007, for example, the Pan-American Council of University Professors of Ophthalmology acted to encourage use of the ICO Assessments throughout Latin America.

Since the Basic Science Assessment was inaugurated in 1995 and the Clinical Sciences Assessment was initiated in 1998, more than 15,000 candidates have voluntarily applied for and taken the Assessments. In recent years, the annual Assessments took place at multiple sites in countries throughout the world on April 7, 2005, April 6, 2006 and April 12, 2007. The ICO Assessments are scheduled on April 10, 2008, in countries that range alphabetically from Argentina to Yugoslavia (www.icoph.org).

Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessments

Basic Science and Clinical Sciences

Year	Candidates	Test Centers	Countries
2002	1017	72	51
2003	1097	75	53
2004	1197	84	59
2005	1472	83	57
2006	1537	92	61
2007	1647	92	61

ICOFoundation Support for Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessments

With outstanding management by Dr. Peter G. Watson, the Assessments are well established and self-supporting.

In addition, the ICOFoundation provides support funds to extend the Assessments to candidates unable to compete for the certificate because of economic factors and to encourage regional initiative for use of the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessments in geographic sectors without formal written evaluations.

More on ICOFoundation programs:

• Ophthalmic Education and Training
  
  
• Ophthalmic Fellowship Training
  
  
• Eye and Vision Care Guidelines
  
  
• Advocacy for Preservation and Restoration of Vision
  
  
• Research in Ophthalmology and Vision

Next: Ophthalmic Fellowship Training

Also see:

• Contribute to the ICOFoundation
  
  
• Programs Supported by the ICOFoundation