Overview
The Retina Subspecialty Examination is a single-best-answer assessment for ophthalmologists who wish to benchmark their knowledge of medical and surgical retina against an international standard. It is based on the American Academy of Ophthalmology curriculum, ensuring candidates worldwide are assessed against the same body of knowledge and expectations.
The examination is intended for senior trainees, fellows, and recently qualified ophthalmologists who have spent significant time in retina and wish to have their expertise recognized by an independent body. It is not an assessment of technical or surgical skill; rather, it evaluates clinical knowledge, reasoning, and decision-making that underpin high-quality retinal care.
Format
The examination comprises 120 single-best-answer questions. Each question requires the candidate to select the most appropriate response from several options. Many questions incorporate clinical material such as fundus photographs, optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, and tables, and therefore require interpretation of images and data in addition to factual knowledge.
The examination is delivered online, removing the need for international travel. It is conducted in English and lasts 3 hours.
Curriculum coverage
The content follows the American Academy of Ophthalmology retina curriculum and spans the full breadth of medical and surgical retina. Topics include retinal diagnostic imaging and interpretation; acquired macular disease, including age-related macular degeneration; retinal vascular disease, including diabetic retinopathy and vascular occlusions; hereditary retinal and macular dystrophies; intraocular tumors; peripheral retinal degeneration and retinal detachment; principles of vitreoretinal surgery; posterior segment trauma; and retinal pharmacotherapy.
Key information for candidates
Registration opens 1 August and closes in January for the March examination. Fees are income-adjusted using the World Bank Index, ensuring accessibility across different regions, with a three-month installment option available. Results are issued two weeks following the exam completion, and successful candidates will receive an OF Retina Subspecialty Certificate.
Candidates who have also passed the OF Clinical Ophthalmology Examination, or an equivalent recognized examination accepted by the OF, may additionally receive the designation:
FIOF (Retina)
Further details, including the candidate handbook and full syllabus, will be available soon.
Examination Committee
The Retina Subspecialty Examination is developed and overseen by an international committee of retina specialists, chaired by Serena Salvatore. Committee members include Selvam Senthil, Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos, Serena Fragiotta, Salvador-Pastor Idoate, Jorge Mancini, Guillermo de la Mata, Khaldoon Al Tahs, Quresh Mohamed, Banu Turgut Ozturk, and Abosede Cole.