RANZCO Ophthalmic Sciences study plan

Map the basic-science syllabus into a one-page concept grid covering anatomy, physiology, optics, pathology, pharmacology and genetics, and mark each cell as known, shaky or unknown

Draw and label the bony orbit, extraocular muscle cone and orbital apex from memory, then annotate the cranial nerve and vascular relations you omitted

Explain aqueous production, trabecular versus uveoscleral outflow and the blood-ocular barrier aloud in under five minutes without notes

Derive the thin-lens and vergence formulae and apply them to three worked problems on spectacle magnification and effective power

Classify the four major ocular reaction patterns of inflammation and give one clinical example of each from memory

Build a personal pharmacology table listing drug class, mechanism, key ocular side effect and one contraindication for at least 15 agents used in ophthalmology

Describe the principles of wound healing in cornea, sclera and retina, and contrast scarring outcomes in each tissue

Work through genetics problems on autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive and X-linked inheritance, calculating recurrence risks for three pedigree scenarios

Explain the physics of tonometry, biometry and optical coherence tomography in plain language as if teaching a junior trainee

Summarise the pathology of ischaemia, necrosis and apoptosis with one ocular example of each process

Construct a differential-diagnosis framework for sudden painless vision loss and rank causes by likelihood and urgency

List the key history and examination steps that distinguish macular from optic nerve disease in a patient with reduced acuity

Describe the classification, risk factors and management principles of diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion

Explain the indications, findings and limitations of fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography in macular disease

Practise interpreting five written clinical vignettes and commit to a single most likely diagnosis for each

Compare open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma in terms of mechanism, presentation, examination findings and first-line management

Explain the role and interpretation of gonioscopy, optic disc assessment and visual field testing in glaucoma diagnosis and monitoring

Describe the mechanism of action and major adverse effects of at least five classes of glaucoma medication

Outline the principles and complications of trabeculectomy and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery

Summarise the red flags in a painful red eye that separate sight-threatening from benign causes

Trace the afferent visual pathway from retina to occipital cortex and predict the field defect produced by a lesion at each point

Distinguish the clinical features of optic neuritis, ischaemic optic neuropathy, papilloedema and compressive optic neuropathy

Describe the pupil light reflex pathway and explain the anatomy behind a relative afferent pupillary defect and Horner syndrome

Classify strabismus by onset, comitance and deviation direction, and outline the principles of amblyopia management

Interpret a described cover test, ocular motility pattern and Hess chart to localise a cranial nerve palsy

Classify microbial keratitis by organism group and match each to expected clinical features and first-line treatment principles

Describe the pathogenesis and staging of corneal ulceration, melting and perforation, and the rationale for each surgical option

Explain the assessment and initial management principles of a patient with a suspected orbital cellulitis versus preseptal cellulitis

Outline the anatomy relevant to ptosis, entropion and ectropion repair, and the complications of each procedure

Summarise the workup of a watering eye and a proptotic eye as structured diagnostic pathways

Describe the stages of visual development and the critical periods relevant to amblyopia and congenital cataract

Outline the approach to a child with leukocoria, listing at least six causes with one distinguishing feature each

Explain the principles of screening for retinopathy of prematurity and the indications for treatment

Summarise the genetics and systemic associations of the common congenital ocular anomalies

Integrate paediatric and adult clinical reasoning by working through three mixed-age case scenarios

Revisit and clear every item still marked shaky or unknown on the week 1 concept grid

Sit two timed 60-question mixed mock examinations under exam conditions and record your score by domain

Rewrite your ten weakest facts as question-and-answer flashcards and test yourself to full recall

Rehearse a structured approach to data-interpretation items such as visual fields, disc photos described in text and motility findings

Finalise a one-page pre-exam checklist of high-yield numbers, formulae and classifications