Advanced FEBOS-CR Exam/ Diploma (Cataract and Refractive Surgery)

The FEBOS-CR Examination

Applications are now CLOSED

FEBOS-CR has been developed by the EBO and ESCRS to certify the expertise and advanced knowledge of experienced cataract and refractive surgeons. Successful candidates earn the right to use the post-nominal title FEBOS-CR to show they:

• hold a superior theoretical and practical knowledge
• can deal with more challenging cases and a complex case mix
• appreciate the importance of evidence-based medicine, and its purpose in developing scientific knowledge and clinical practice of the subspecialty
• are, or have the ambition to become, trainers and leaders in the cataract and refractive surgery subspecialty

Candidates must therefore be independent surgeons with a varied case mix who regularly deal with complex situations, and who are willing to be challenged by having their expertise and theoretical knowledge tested by a rigorous theoretical examination and interviews with some of the opinion leaders in European and worldwide ophthalmology.

EBO-ESCRS Subspecialty Exam

Vision
The subspecialty examination in Cataract & Refractive Surgery is intended to provide formal recognition of subspecialty training and expertise in the field. Ultimately it will help to harmonize and improve cataract & refractive surgerical care across Europe.

Purpose
To have a structure within which ophthalmologists who specialise in Cataract & Refractive Surgery have their skills and expertise assessed, acknowledged and certified
To define the knowledge that the specialist in Cataract & Refractive Surgery holds
To be recognised as a quality examination and consequent qualification for Cataract & Refractive Surgery specialists
To encourage standardised training/teaching and standardised care across Europe

Background
The European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO), in collaboration with the ESCRS, organizes an annual subspecialty exam in Cataract & Refractive Surgery with the aim to formally recognizing subspecialty training and expertise in that field. By introducing exam criteria and standards, the EBO-ESCRS wish to harmonize and improve training across Europe.

Means
Specialists in Ophthalmology with particular interest and experience in glaucoma have the opportunity to have their knowledge and expertise tested and officially acknowledged by sitting the EBO-ESCRS Cataract & Refractive Surgery Subspecialty Exam. Successful candidates will be awarded a diploma: the Fellow of the EBO Subspecialty Cataract & Refractive Surgery Diploma (FEBOS-CR diploma). This diploma is recognized as a proof of advanced knowledge and competence in this field.

Examination Deadlines 

•    Monday 12 December 2022 applications open 
•    Friday 31^st March 2023 all materials submitted by applicants, as well as the non-refundable deposit (€150) paid and applications close  
•    Friday 19^th May 2023 confirmation for eligible candidates to sit the examination
•    Friday 16^th June 2023 candidates confirm intent to sit examination, and pay balance of examination fee (€700)
•    Monday 11 September 2023 date of Examination 

Supporting Materials Required by the Applicant 

• A letter from a Director/Head of Department/other senior figure in your Institution that recommends you as a surgeon of advanced experience and expertise. If you are in this role, the Practice Manager can sign and stamp the letter instead. 
• A video of a complex case you operated on, which demonstrates your current skillset. This video should meet the following criteria (failure to do so will lead to rejection of the video and thus the application):  

• MP4 format 
• Titled as follows: “LAST NAME_FIRST NAME_CASE TYPE.mp4” 
• Maximum 5 minutes. Editing should not affect the core surficial procedure. 
• The video must be the sole work of the candidate, and must state that this is the sole work of the candidate 
• There must be no music, narration, or credits on the video  
• Include the following steps (videos will be judged to determine suitable candidates for the examination): incision, capsulorhexis, hydro dissection, nuclear disassembly, irrigation/aspiration, IOL implant and closure. More information is available in the curriculum 
• No FLACS, the surgery must demonstrate your current skill set in a complex situation 
• No patient-identifiable information should be included/ remain in the video.  
• Provide the following information about the complex surgery video in the CV/ Application: Background case data and a short description of what makes the surgery complex for you 

• Completed CV/ Application, which lists surgical, teaching and publication experience. A section of this form also asks for information on the complex video you submit

If you have any queries please email education@escrs.org  

Portals & information

ESCRS Research Portals

The ESCRS funds and help to run several research projects at any one time.

This page brings you information on all the projects currently underway, and also collates all presentations, publications and interviews with projects leaders on projects that have been completed.

Where relevant, all study reports and guidelines related to these projects will also be available here.