RANZCO Ophthalmic Sciences study guide
RANZCO Ophthalmic Sciences · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The RANZCO Ophthalmic Sciences examination is the basic sciences assessment sitting within the training pathway of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, the bi-national professional body responsible for the training, assessment and ongoing professional development of ophthalmologists in Australia and New Zealand. It is intended for doctors entering or progressing through RANZCO vocational training, who must demonstrate a working command of ophthalmic fundamental science before advancing to clinical stages. The RANZCO Ophthalmic Sciences study guide has 9 sections and about 1,859 words.
01Ophthalmic Basic Sciences
The basic sciences underpin every clinical question. For anatomy, know the layers of the cornea and the course of the optic nerve and chiasm, the blood supply of the retina (central retinal artery and the choroidal circulation), and the orbital apex relations.
287 words, about 1 min02Clinical Ophthalmology
Clinical ophthalmology integrates history, examination, and investigation. Master the systematic approach: visual acuity, pupils, motility, slit lamp, tonometry, gonioscopy, and fundoscopy.
234 words, about 1 min03Neuro-ophthalmology
Neuro-ophthalmology links afferent and efferent pathways. Afferent: visual acuity, colour vision, visual fields, pupil reactions (RAPD), and optic disc appearance.
214 words, about 1 min04Ocular Motility and Strabismus
Understand extraocular muscle actions, innervation, and the laws of ocular motility (Sherrington, Hering). Know the cover test, alternate cover test, prism bar, and the difference between phoria and tropia.
234 words, about 1 min05Cornea and External Eye Disease
Know corneal anatomy (epithelium, Bowman, stroma, Descemet, endothelium) and physiology (deturgescence, tear film). Recognise keratitis patterns: bacterial, viral (dendritic), fungal, and acanthamoeba.
191 words, under 1 min06Glaucoma
Understand aqueous dynamics and intraocular pressure regulation. Classify glaucoma: open-angle, angle-closure, secondary, and congenital.
190 words, under 1 min07Retina and Vitreous
Know retinal anatomy (layers, macula, fovea) and vasculature. Understand diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusion, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal detachment types (rhegmatogenous, tractional, exudative).
174 words, under 1 min08Oculoplastics and Orbit
Know orbital anatomy, including the bony walls, fissures, and contents. Understand eyelid anatomy and function, lacrimal drainage, and the principles of ptosis repair.
171 words, under 1 min09Paediatric Ophthalmology
Understand visual development and the critical period for amblyopia. Know screening for retinopathy of prematurity and red reflex testing.
164 words, under 1 min