1. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)

Membership

The Academy recognizes the value of a global community. Beginning in 2025, international Academy member dues will be based on the Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI) income groups and the World Bank’s corresponding geographic designations, with dues amounts ranging from $200 to $525 USD. These levels aim to make Academy membership more accessible, equitable, and affordable for international ophthalmologists by considering the economic circumstances of different countries.

For Malaysian the fees is USD400, while for international membership in training is $175 annually. Academy membership year runs on a calendar year from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, regardless of the application date. All required documentation must be submitted before any benefits are provided.

What you’ll need to complete the application.

Applying for Academy membership requires that you first have an AAO.org account. If you already have an account, log in and complete your membership application. Otherwise, you will be prompted to create one.

You will need the following to complete your membership application:

Practicing Physicians

  • Current medical license number 
  • Board certification date (if applicable)
  • Credit card information to complete your application

Physicians in Training

  • Proof of training (in pdf, jpeg or png format) must be uploaded and submitted with the application. Verification letter must be on institution letterhead, signed by the Program Director and include beginning and anticipated end dates of training. Trainees who were matched via SF Match can upload a copy of the match confirmation.
  • Credit card information to complete your application (not applicable for U.S. and Canadian applicants)

» More info on https://www.aao.org

Access valuable resources and action strategies developed by Academy experts for practice resilience and successful recovery.

Benefits of AAOE Membership
AAOE-Talk Join the members-only online community to connect throughout the day with supportive peers, have questions answered and share opinions about issues that matter right now.
Video Education Library An expanding online resource with coding courses and practice management instruction, plus select webinars and Annual Meeting sessions that explore a multitude of topics.
Practice Forms Library A comprehensive collection of ophthalmic medical practice forms supplied and shared by your colleagues.
Member Discounts Generous member pricing for private coding and practice management consultations with Academy experts, plus discounts of up to 40% on ophthalmology's most-trusted coding references through the Academy Store.
AAOE Members-Only Website Find valuable practice management resources including personalized answers to your mission-critical coding questions.
EyeNet® Magazine Ophthalmology's premiere monthly magazine includes essential features like "The Savvy Coder" and "Practice Perfect."
Academy educational meetings and courses Receive significant savings on registration to all Academy educational meetings and courses.
Practice Management Express The popular twice-monthly email newsletter includes essential information and the trusted advice coding and practice management professionals need most. Find valuable tips and current updates covering a variety of topics.
Consultant Directory Listing A curated directory of practice management professionals.

OKAP® International Exam

The Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program® (OKAP) International exam assesses the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary to deliver high standards of quality patient care in ophthalmology. It is a 260-multiple choice computer-based exam providing practicing ophthalmologists and residents worldwide the flexibility to test where and when convenient.

Based on the Academy's Basic and Clinical Science Course™ (BCSC), the exam supports clinical and basic science education as a valid and reliable measure of ophthalmic knowledge and a way to identify individual learning objectives. 

OKAP International allows program directors to:

  • Give a standardized, objective test to evaluate trainees’ knowledge each year
  • Evaluate how trainees are performing relative to one another
  • Look at which subspecialties need more attention
  • Determine how trainees compare with those taking the exam in the United States

OKAP International allows trainees and individual ophthalmologists to:

  • Accurately assess their amount of ophthalmic knowledge and chart their progress year to year
  • Compare their percentile rank against their peers and trainees from the United States
  • Use the Keyword Report to identify specific areas needing improvement within the subspecialties
  • Registration for individuals will open April 1. 

The exam can be taken once per year by individual ophthalmologists or through residency programs.

Registration and Scheduling Instructions

For Individuals

If you are an individual registering for the exam on your own, visit OKAP International for Individuals.

For Program Directors and Their Residents

The following steps will be required of program directors and their residents:

Step 1: Program Directors Send a Registration Request

Email your contact information, program name, number of residents taking the exam and your preferred exam date(s) to [email protected]. Programs can select up to three consecutive dates between 1 April through 21 September 2026. We must receive your residents' information at least 30 days prior to your exam date. 

Step 2: Residents Schedule Their Own Exam Appointments

Once the program is registered, all residents will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule their exam. It is the responsibility of each resident to schedule an exam appointment on the selected date(s). Residents should forward their appointment confirmation email to their program coordinator for verification that registration is complete. Residents can refer to the Scheduling your OKAP Exam guide if they need assistance scheduling their exam appointment.

Exam Fee for Malaysian $350

» More info: https://www.aao.org/education/okap-international

» AAO Membership Application Form (Intl)

2. Ophthalmology Foundation

Examination

The Ophthalmology Foundation offers online examinations for ophthalmology available at local centers offered twice a year.

The Ophthalmology Foundation examination aims to assess the depth and breadth of trainees’ knowledge, benchmark performance, and ensure readiness for certification. 

To prepare them for these challenges, the OF exams are meticulously crafted to align with the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Basic and Clinical Sciences (BCSC) standards and the professional requirements in the field. BCSC is a comprehensive ophthalmic knowledge educational resource widely used internationally. Content is created by U.S. and international experts in every specialty within ophthalmology and is revised periodically.

Examination Ophthalmology Categories

Visual Sciences (Ideally taken during the first or second year of training)

  • 120 Single Best Answer Questions
  • 3 Hours
  • Subjects
    • Anatomy
    • Embryology and Development
    • Genetics
    • Biochemistry and Metabolism
    • Pharmacology
    • Imaging and Digital Ophthalmology
    • Ophthalmic Pathology

Optics, Refraction, and Instruments (Recommended for second to fourth year of training)

  • 60 Single Best Answer Questions
  • 1.5 Hours
  • Subjects
    • Optics
    • Refraction
    • Instruments

Clinical Ophthalmology (Typically taken in the third to fifth year of training)

  • 160 Single Best Answer Questions
  • 4 Hours
  • Subjects
    • Neuro-Ophthalmology
    • Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
    • Orbit
    • Cornea, and external eye disease
    • Uveitis
    • Glaucoma
    • Cataract
    • Retina
    • Community and Public Health
    • General Medicine related to Ophthalmology

 

Benefits of OF Examinations for Ophthalmology

  • Flexible online format allowing you to take exams from anywhere.
  • Comprehensive curriculum covering essential ophthalmology knowledge.
  • Recognized certification to enhance your professional credentials.
  • Continuous support and resources from the OF community.
  • Successfully passing the Ophthalmology Foundation Examinations will earn you valuable points towards your application for International Ophthalmological Fellowship Foundation (IOFF e. V.) application.
  • Candidates who pass the Clinical Ophthalmology Examination will be awarded the post nominal, FIOF (Fellow of the International Ophthalmology Foundation).
  • Exemption policy for examinations deemed to be of the same standard by the OF Board.
  • Travel Grant for Top Achievers (David and Molly Pyott Foundation Travel Grant $10,000 for Excellence in Ophthalmology Clinical Sciences Examinations

 

How to Enroll in Examinations

The Ophthalmology Foundation will conduct three formal examinations annually for ophthalmologists in training, held twice a year in March and September.

Candidates may register and opt to pay their exam fees in three installments. An initial payment of one-third of the total fee is required upon submission of the application. After enrolling in the installment plan, candidates are responsible for ensuring that all remaining payments are completed. Automated reminder emails will be sent in the following months as each installment becomes due. 

Fees: The cost is based on the World Bank Index and will be displayed at the time of application. Candidates will be required to pay one-third of the fee upon submitting their application. The remaining two-thirds can be paid in two further installments. Pricing information can be obtained by emailing the examinations team at exams[at]ophthalmologyfoundation.org.

» More info: https://ophthalmologyfoundation.org/examinations/examinations-faq/