AOC C.O. study plan
AOC C.O. · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Binocular vision and ocular motility
Diagram the actions of all six extraocular muscles and their cranial nerve innervations from memory
Define and differentiate comitance, incomitance, and restrictive versus paralytic strabismus in writing
Explain Hering's law and Sherrington's law and apply each to two worked clinical examples
Build a one-page reference sheet of binocular vision terminology (fusion, suppression, ARC, horror fusionis) in your own words
Your checkpoint
A hand-drawn muscle-action/innervation chart plus a 1-page glossary, self-quizzed to 90% accuracy
Binocular vision and ocular motility
Describe the technique, endpoint, and interpretation of cover/uncover, alternate cover, and prism alternate cover tests
Outline how to perform and grade versions, ductions, and the 9-gaze field
Explain the purpose and interpretation of the Worth 4-dot, Bagolini striated lenses, and 4-diopter base-out tests
Compare sensory tests for suppression versus diplopia and state when each is indicated
Your checkpoint
A written test-procedure manual covering 6 sensory/motor tests with technique, endpoint, and interpretation for each
Binocular vision and ocular motility
Differentiate the clinical features, expected findings, and typical management approach for esotropia, exotropia, and hypertropia subtypes
Explain the rationale and expected outcomes of amblyopia therapies including patching, atropine penalization, and optical correction
Describe accommodative esotropia and the accommodative convergence/accommodation relationship
Interpret a sample motility record and state the next diagnostic step
Your checkpoint
Three case-based written vignettes (one eso, one exo, one hyper) each with findings, differential, and proposed workup
Orthoptic education and clinical/education competencies (standards set by the AOC)
Map the AOC competency domains to your own current strengths and gaps in a written self-assessment
Explain how orthoptic education standards define entry-level clinical competencies
Describe the role of supervised clinical training and how competency is verified
Identify three concrete gaps in your clinical knowledge and rank them by exam weight
Your checkpoint
A completed self-assessment matrix rating yourself 1-5 on each competency area, with a prioritized gap list
Scope of practice and professional standards for certified orthoptists
Delineate the certified orthoptist's scope of practice, including tasks performed under supervision versus independently
Explain the boundaries between orthoptic, optometric, and ophthalmologic responsibilities in patient care
Describe professional and ethical standards including patient confidentiality, informed consent, and documentation
List the elements of a compliant clinical record for an orthoptic evaluation
Your checkpoint
A one-page scope-of-practice summary plus a model orthoptic evaluation note template
Continuing education and recertification standards of orthoptic excellence & Scope of practice and professional standards for certified orthoptists
Outline the continuing education requirements and recertification cycle for certified orthoptists
Explain how continuing education activity categories map to maintaining orthoptic excellence
Describe how professional standards are enforced and what constitutes a lapse in certification
Plan your own 2-year CE calendar aligned to the domains you scored lowest on
Your checkpoint
A written 2-year CE plan with specific activity types, hour targets, and domain alignment
Orthoptic education and clinical/education competencies (standards set by the AOC) & Continuing education and recertification standards of orthoptic excellence
Synthesize education-competency standards with recertification requirements into a single reference outline
Explain how clinical competency is demonstrated and maintained over a career
Identify common misconceptions about certification renewal and correct them in writing
Cross-check your earlier self-assessment against the standards and update your gap list
Your checkpoint
A consolidated 2-page reference outline linking competency standards to recertification requirements
Binocular vision and ocular motility & Scope of practice and professional standards for certified orthoptists
Complete a timed full-length mixed-domain practice set and log every missed item by domain
Review every missed item to root cause (knowledge gap versus misread versus unfamiliar term)
Re-derive the highest-yield motility and scope-of-practice facts from memory
Finalize a one-page exam-day quick-reference sheet
Your checkpoint
A scored practice exam with an error-analysis log and a final one-page quick-reference sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Score 85%+ on a self-made 20-question quiz covering muscle actions, laws of innervation, and sensory/motor test interpretation
Week 4: Completed self-assessment matrix with no domain rated below 3 and a written prioritized gap list
Week 6: Written 2-year CE plan complete with hour targets and domain alignment, reviewed against recertification requirements
Week 8: Scored full-length practice set with error log complete; every missed item traced to a root cause and re-reviewed