On Wednesday, 18th of September, a cohort of 74 candidates sat the second edition of the EBO-Euretina Exam. This challenging exam has been designed to certify the level of knowledge expected of a retina specialist. Applications for the 2025 exam will open at the end of the year, but those interested can already start preparing with the YOURS FEBOS Courses, being run on Friday 20th September, from 11:00am.
What is the exam?
The EBO and Euretina have come together to develop the FEBOS-R qualification is designed to certify specialist knowledge in retina. The exam consists of two parts – an online multiple choice question (MCQ) exam, which candidates must pass in order to proceed to the viva voce (interview based) exam. The viva voce section is a 1-hour exam in which candidates spend 15 minutes at each of 4 “stations” being interviewed by retina experts on a series of cases covering 8 subspecialty subjects. The interviews assess candidates clinical acumen by presenting standardised cases on the following subjects:
- Age-related Macular Degeneration/Central Serous Chorioretinopathy & Imaging
• Diabetes and Vascular Eye Diseases &; Uveitis
• Inherited Retinal Disease & Ocular Oncology (Tumours)
• Vitreo-Retinal Surgery & Myopia
Why take the exam?
The FEBOS-R exam was developed by the Euretina Exam Working Group, chaired by Prof Nicole Eter (University of Muenster), and drawing on the expertise and knowledge of Euretina Board and Subspecialty section members. Its purpose is to certify a theoretical knowledge to independently manage patients. “The FEBOS-R qualification programme joins the missions of both Euretina and EBO. For Euretina, we want to promote the most up-to-date science, encourage evidence-based practice, and provide the best care and outcomes for patients. For EBO, we want to harmonise knowledge and training in ophthalmology to promote better patient care across Europe,” said Prof Eter. “Candidates who achieve FEBOS-R designation have proof that they have met standards set by Euretina. And ultimately, the programme serves patients and the wider community, because as the standard for retina specialists across Europe is harmonised, fellowships and other opportunities for those training to become retina specialists can use the exam to inform their training.”
How to prepare
Organised by the EURETINA YOURS committee, a set of four 1-hour FEBO courses on Friday 20th September, from 11:00am. The courses are covering imaging, diabetes and vascular eye disease, and uveitis. They will also include a “Lessons learned” section on IRD and Tumours (the subjects candidates found toughest last year). These courses will be led by well-known retinal specialists and younger colleagues, and include faculty that have worked on the exam. While Euretina does not prescribe specific textbooks or activities to prepare for the FEBOS-R exam, they have run several webinars and provided recorded sessions like these to candidates to help them prepare. However, candidates are encouraged to engage in a range of educational opportunities, read widely, and learn from practical experience. The required experience/qualifications to take the exam and a recommended reading list for the 2024 exam are posted here (please note, this may update for the 2025 exam – but it gives a flavour of the requirements).
One 2023 candidate’s story
Dr Thomas Ach (Bonn) sat the first FEBOS-R exam in 2023 and was successful. This year, he acted as an examiner in the AMD/ CSC section of the exam. He offers some words of motivation for potential candidates:
“The FEBOS-R exam is a good opportunity, even at an advanced stage, to review your knowledge and skills in retina. The AAO´s BCSC series are certainly useful for preparation. Apart from that, it is always helpful to be familiar with the important findings of the latest clinical studies. The interviews are very collegial, but good preparation is the be-all and end-all of a pleasant exam situation. Successfully passing the exams gives me the feeling that I am treating my retina patients at the highest level, as my international colleagues would do.”
Keep an eye on the Euretina website for information about applying for the 2025 FEBOS-R exam.
