The theoretical parts (MCQ and slide recognition) will be held remotely (computer-based), and in a decentralized capacity, so that candidates may sit the examination in their own country if desired. However, an invigilator must be present in person at all times during the examination period, and this must be a Diplomate of any recognized European or American veterinary College. Invigilators will be required to certify their presence during the examination. See under ‘Exam Dates and Deadlines’.

Prior to the computer-based examinations, Examsoft practice sessions will be arranged for candidates, and separate instructions issued to the invigilators. This will be arranged by the examination committee and the Examsoft administrator in the months preceding the examination.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQ)
This part of the examination consists of 200 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) designed to test theoretical knowledge in the field of veterinary ophthalmology and associated sciences, covering the disciplines of ocular anatomy, embryology, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, histopathology, cytology, toxicology, immunology, molecular biology, genetics, medicine, surgery, diagnostics, applied diagnostic imaging and neuro-ophthalmology in canine, feline, equine, large and small ruminant, poultry, laboratory animal, exotic animal and wildlife species. The questions encompass all the anatomic regions of the eye and incorporate the categories of examination, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

Questions are based on papers from selected journals and books, as listed in the ‘ECVO residents reading list’. The MCQ exam is given in four sections, 50 questions each, and the candidates are allowed up to 2 hours per section.

Sample MCQs
Please see PDF file entitled ‘MCQ exam sample questions’. This document gives a number of MCQ examples used in previous examinations. Please note that these specific questions have been removed from the exam question bank for various reasons and may be outdated or not be specifically relevant to your examination but should give you an idea of the sort of questions that may be asked.

SLIDE RECOGNITION TEST
The Slide Recognition test consists of images of 100 clinical images or diagrams, designed to test clinical diagnostic skills in the field of veterinary ophthalmology as well as in associated sciences, including hereditary eye diseases, applied diagnostic imaging, cytology, microbiology, and histopathology. This test is given in two sections of 2 hours each.

Questions may involve the identification, assessment, and interpretation of the material presented on a photographic image. The images used in this part of the examination include clinical photographs of a patient or any part of the eye, and photographs or diagrams of diagnostic techniques, surgical procedures, cytological specimens, and gross and microscopic pathological specimens.

The Slide Recognition test is conducted in a non-verbal fashion, and candidates are asked to respond to written questions with an answer consisting of a few words, by question-answer matching, or by selecting one or more correct multiple-choice answer(s).

Preparation for this portion of the exam is recommended by reviewing images of the subject content listed above and in the resident reading list and interpreting the images according to the questions likely to be asked.

Sample Slide Recognition questions
Please see PDF file entitled „Sample exam questions“. This document gives a number of slide examples used in previous examinations. Please note that these specific questions have been removed from the exam question bank for various reasons and may be outdated or not be specifically relevant to your examination but should give you an idea of the sort of questions that may be asked.

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION
The practical examination consists of three parts (stations). Each part is assessed by at least two examiners. 40 minutes are allowed per station, including set-up and discussion time.

Clinical examination
The candidate will be provided with a slit lamp biomicroscope, indirect and direct ophthalmoscope, condensing lenses, a Finoff transilluminator, tonometer, goniolens as well as several consumables to support a full ophthalmic examination. The candidate may use his/her own equipment if desired. The candidate will be given up to 5 minutes to set up or adjust any equipment.
The candidate will be asked to perform an ophthalmic examination, typically on a single patient. Occasionally, more than one patient will be used to ensure that the most important examination techniques can be performed (i.e., if the patient fundus cannot be seen, a second patient may be used for the candidate to demonstrate fundoscopy). Small animal, equine, production animal, or exotic animal cases may be encountered. The candidate’s diagnostic, interpretive and reflective skills will be evaluated, and their clinical findings discussed with the examiners.
Candidates are not allowed to bring their clinical record paperwork (such as clinical examination sheets) into the examination. However, a clinical examination sheet will be provided, and the candidate is expected to note all the findings on that sheet prior to conclusion of the examination time.
At least two examiners will assess the candidate’s performance during this station, focusing on their technique, instrument and patient-handling, ability to find lesions, description of findings, interpretation, and reflection. It is the candidate’s responsibility to accurately describe all lesions (for example, give its specific depth, size, shape, location in a specific ocular tissue, colour, orientation, texture, etc.), and note in which eye the lesion exists. Falsely identifying a normal structure as a lesion will result in subtraction of points. When the candidate is notified that the time is up, no additional comments made by the candidate will be taken into consideration by the examiners.
The candidate can prepare for the animal examination portion of the test by developing sound examination techniques and practicing verbalizing accurate and succinct descriptions of lesions to their mentors.

Adnexal/Extraocular and Corneal/Intraocular Surgery
The two surgery stations (adnexal/extraocular surgery and corneal/intraocular surgery) involve surgical exercises on cadaver eyes and adnexal structures from appropriate species (typically pig, dog, cat, calf, rabbit). Candidates are asked to perform one or more corneal and/or intraocular procedures, or parts thereof at the Corneal/Intraocular Surgery station and will be confronted with a clinical patient scenario that needs to be solved using an appropriate adnexal surgery method at the Adnexal/Extraocular Surgery station.
Examples of adnexal procedures: Entropion and ectropion repairs; blepharoplastic procedures; lid laceration repair; methods for correcting defects associated with eyelid tumour excision; third eyelid gland surgery; third eyelid cartilage surgery; enucleation techniques.
Examples of corneal or intraocular procedures: Corneal laceration repair; conjunctival pedicle graft; corneo-conjunctival transposition graft; two-step clear corneal incision; continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis; extracapsular cataract extraction; intracapsular cataract extraction.
Note that the above list is not exhaustive. Candidates should familiarize themselves with a wide range of adnexal, ocular, and intraocular surgical techniques as described within the recommended resource material/reading list.
The candidate should supply all necessary instruments, irrigating solution, suture material, viscoelastic, blades, gloves, and head loupes. An operating microscope for the intraocular surgery section and stands for organizing the instruments will be available.
FAILURE TO BRING NECESSARY SUPPLIES MAY RESULT IN FAILURE. THE EXAMINERS WILL NOT OFFER ANY SUPPLIES, INCLUDING DISPOSABLE MATERIALS.
Candidates will be allowed 40 minutes for the extraocular station, and 40 minutes for the corneal/ intraocular station, which includes 5 minutes set up time and 5 minutes pack-up time. Time limits are strictly enforced.
The IOP of globes used during the Corneal/intraocular Surgery station will be measured prior to the candidate entering the examination room and the examiners will modify the IOP to match normal pressure. The candidate is not expected to inflate the eyes prior to starting the procedure.
Candidates are evaluated on their understanding and knowledge of the components of the procedures, as well as their surgical technique, reflective skills, and knowledge of instruments and suture materials. Candidates should be aware that their surgical technique is evaluated on the basis of currently accepted practice, as described in the current literature. Inappropriate instrument choice or instrument application, inappropriate surgical technique or tissue handling, or other significant deviations from currently accepted practice, will result in subtraction of points, as will failure to complete a procedure within the allotted time. Candidates are strongly advised to consult the recommended resource material/reading list for appropriate surgical references.
Knowledge of and experience with proper surgical technique and the common ophthalmic surgical techniques should prepare the candidate for this portion of the exam. Candidates are strongly urged to prepare carefully and to practice all possible surgical techniques on cadaver material in preparation for this examination.
The candidate may be asked to describe the surgical procedure while performing it. Alternatively, examiners may ask specific questions on the choice of procedure, surgical technique, surgical equipment or disposables. In such cases, candidates are advised to describe the procedure or to answer questions accurately but succinctly and to avoid extensive monologue (with associated inaction) that may jeopardize their ability to perform the surgical procedures within the allotted time. We recognize that this demonstration differs from a clinical situation. One of the examiners may function as the candidate’s surgical assistant but will act only upon the candidate’s specific instructions.

Guidelines for candidates detailing the three different practical examination stations are available under the tab ‘Exam instructions for candidates’. Review of these documents, that were newly created to help candidates and mentors with practical exam preparations by providing information on how performance in these examination sections is graded, is highly recommended.

The examination is conducted in English. Candidates should be sufficiently proficient in English to be able to read, write, and understand veterinary publications and examination questions written or spoken in English. The examination is structured to minimise any disadvantage of non-native English language speakers. The College permits the use of a non-medical dictionary during the examinations. Medical dictionaries or textbooks are not allowed.

Prior to the examination, all candidates are required to sign an agreement of confidentiality not to divulge the details of the MCQ or slide recognition questions to a third party, as inevitably questions may be recycled for future examinations. However, as the questions are constantly being replaced and updated, only about 60% of questions are re-used in consecutive years.