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The Ophthalmic Practitioner Training Curriculum

Learners can work through the levels successively, or can start with one of the higher levels but will need to complete all the competencies at the lower levels as well.

For each of the four clinical areas, the OPT Curriculum Summary table lists about 130 learning outcomes (competencies) across 13 domains.  The standard required to pass each competency is described for 3 levels:

  • Level 1 – perform clinical work to assist medical decision-making
  • Level 2 – works to protocol with clearly defined delegated decision making
  • Level 3 – makes decisions independently with appropriate support and back up

Learners with higher qualifications are awarded with ‘Recognition of Prior Competence’ which exempts them from performing some of the assessments.

OPT Curriculum – A step-by-step guide webinar

This is a recording of a webinar that aims to help learners understand and follow the curriculum in their unit and supervisors understand and support learners following the curriculum in their unit. This webinar includes material from the following GMC standards for trainers:

5: Supporting and monitoring educational progress

6: Guiding personal and professional development

7: Continuing professional development as an educator

Supporting Documents

The Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT) Programme has been developed from the Ophthalmic Common Clinical Competency Framework (OCCCF). Some documents may continue to have this name, but can be used to support the OPT Programme.

Portfolio Guidance

For learners with higher qualifications the ‘Recognition of Prior Competence’ will exempts them from performing some of the assessments. Use the guidance to understand these exemptions.