Irish College of Ophthalmologists

Motto| "Eye doctors of Ireland, protecting your vision"
Type| Private
Established| 1991
Students| 195
Address|

121 St. Stephen's Green

Dublin

Ireland

Campus| Urban
Dean
President
CEO| Yvonne Delaney
Alison Blake
Siobhán Kelly
Affiliations| RCSI
Website| http://www.eyedoctors.ie

The Irish College of Ophthalmologists or ICO is the recognised body for ophthalmology training in Ireland. Founded in 1991, it represents over 200 ophthalmologists in Ireland.[1] Its current president is Dr Patricia Quinlan.[2] Yvonne Delaney serves as Dean.

## Governance

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The ICO is overseen by its Council which is elected every 3 years by College members. The College also appoints a Clinical Lead for National Clinical Programme in Ophthalmology, a Dean of Postgraduate Education, and a Programme Director for Surgical Training. The business of the College is assisted by: a Manpower, Education and Training Committee; a Medical Ophthalmology Committee; an Ethics Committee; and a Scientific and Continuing Professional Development Committee.[citation needed]

## Education

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The ICO oversees postgraduate medical and surgical ophthalmology training in Ireland. The ICO is a recognised training body of the Medical Council of Ireland.[3] Its remit includes approval of hospital training posts.[4] As part of its international activities, the College is twinned with the New England Ophthalmological Society.[5] In 2011, the ICO introduced an online Professional Competency Scheme, to comply with new legislation and Irish Medical Council regulations.[6][7] The ICO also collaborates with the Health Service Executive[8] and engages in outreach and education for patients and the general public.[citation needed]

## Training scheme

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The ICO supervise and co-ordinate the two strands of the ophthalmology training programme in Ireland: Basic Surgical Training (BST) and Higher Surgical Training (HST). Completion of a pre-registration intern year is required before applying for ophthalmology training.[citation needed]

### Basic Surgical Training

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The BST programme involves rotating through various sub-specialities. Trainees work as Senior House Officers over a minimum of three years at hospital sites in one of three combinations:

* 1\. South Dublin Scheme: Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH) and Sligo University Hospital
* 2\. North Dublin Scheme: Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, University Hospital Galway, and University Hospital Waterford
* 3\. Munster Scheme: Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick and Cork University Hospital

Formal training includes use of surgical simulators, continuous assessment and a mandatory human factors course.[9] During the BST, trainees sit examinations at RVEEH to gain Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, the MRCSI (Ophth) qualification.[10] At the end of the BST, successful trainees receive the Certificate of Completion of Basic Surgical Training (CCBST), with which they may apply for the competitive HST programme.

### Higher Surgical Training

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The HST scheme is a pre-requisite for obtaining a post as a hospital consultant. HST lasts four-and-a-half years and covers seven core sub-specialities:[citation needed]

* oculoplastic, adnexal, and lacrimal surgery
* cornea and external diseases
* cataract and refractive surgery
* glaucoma
* retina, vitreous, uvea, and ocular oncology
* neuro-ophthalmology
* paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus

Trainees are assessed every 6 months and in their final year must complete a fellowship exam, the FRCSI (Ophth). This exit exam comprises a one-hour viva voce and a written test. Successful candidates also receive the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST).

## Research

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The ICO holds an annual conference[11] where members and guests present research abstract, talks and posters. From 2000 to 2011, the annual ICO/Pfizer Research Fellowship was presented at the conference. The award sponsored trainee doctors to undertake research in ophthalmology.[12] From 2013, the ICO partnered with Novartis to sponsor the ICO/Novartis Research Award.[13] In 2017, the ICO introduced a Clinical Fellowship Bursary, in conjunction with Bayer.[14]

### Recipients of the ICO/Bayer Clinical Fellowship Bursary

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* 2017 – Caroline Baily[15]

### Recipients of the ICO/Novartis Research Award

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* 2016 – Sinéad Connolly and Reinold Goetz[16] (ex aequo)
* 2015 – Ghaleb Farouki and Khalid Kamel (ex aequo)
* 2014 – Maedbh Rhatigan,
* 2013 – Micheal O'Rourke

### Recipients of the ICO/Pfizer Research Fellowship

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* 2011 – Conor Malone
* 2010 – Fergus Doyle and We Fong Siah (ex aequo)
* 2009 – Catherine Cleary
* 2008 – Kevin Kennelly
* 2007 – Jeremy O'Connor
* 2006 – unknown
* 2005 – Noel Horgan
* 2004 – Tom Flynn[17]
* 2003 – unknown
* 2002 – unknown
* 2001 – unknown
* 2000 – unknown

## Notable members

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* Fatima Hamroush, Libya's first female Health Minister[18]

## References

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1. ^ "About Us | Eye Doctors: Irish College of Ophthalmologists". Archived from the original on 29 January 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
2. ^ http://www.medicalindependent.ie/99240/irish_college_of_ophthalmologists_ico_annual_conference [dead link]
3. ^ "Medical Council".
4. ^ "Ophthalmology - Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital". Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
5. ^ "New England Ophthalmological Society | About NEOS Meetings".
6. ^ "Medical Council announces PC schemes enrolment fees". 30 March 2011.
7. ^ "Professional Competence schemes at the RCSI". Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
8. ^ "Screening people with diabetes - NCBI". Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
9. ^ "Forum of Postgraduate Medical Training Bodies: Specialities". Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
10. ^ "RCSI – Homepage".
11. ^ "Irish College of Ophthalmologists Annual Conference - The Medical Independent". Archived from the original on 26 April 2012.
12. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2011.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
13. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2014.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
14. ^ http://www.medicalindependent.ie/99240/irish_college_of_ophthalmologists_ico_annual_conference [dead link]
15. ^ http://www.medicalindependent.ie/99240/irish_college_of_ophthalmologists_ico_annual_conference [dead link]
16. ^ http://www.medicalindependent.ie/99240/irish_college_of_ophthalmologists_ico_annual_conference [dead link]
17. ^ "Tom Flynn | Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust". Archived from the original on 26 April 2016.
18. ^ "Dr Fatima Hamroush | Eye Doctor: Irish College of Ophthalmologists". Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.

## External links

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* ICO Website

Authority control databases |

* VIAF

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