Becoming an ophthalmologist
The College sets the curriculum and training framework for ophthalmic specialist training (OST). The General Medical Council (GMC) approves the curriculum if it meets the required standards. Training is delivered locally and overseen by postgraduate deans, schools of ophthalmology and training programme directors (TPDs).
The programme combines clinical experience, supervision and formal assessment. You train in hospital eye departments and work alongside consultants, locally employed doctors and fellow resident doctors across a wide range of ophthalmic settings.
You are supported throughout your training by an educational supervisor (ES) and named clinical supervisors (NCSs).
You are strongly encouraged to use simulation to develop microsurgical and clinical skills before carrying out procedures on patients.
What you need to progress in your training
To progress through training and successfully complete the programme, you must:
- record your training progression in the ePortfolio against the learning outcomes set out in the OST curriculum
- demonstrate through the annual review of competence progression (ARCP) process that curriculum requirements are being met
- record your surgical experience in the Eye logbook
- pass the Fellowship of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth) examinations at the required stages.