Record numbers sit the EBOD examination 2017

Interest in the European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD) examination continues to hit new heights, with a record-breaking 651 candidates from 27 European countries taking part this year.

“It is enormously gratifying to see so many candidates coming from all over Europe to take part in the examination. It shows the relevance and the value of the EBOD and underscores the European spirit that the EBO is so keen to promote,” said Dr Gordana Sunaric Mégevand, President of the European Board of Ophthalmology.

Held every year in Paris, the EBOD examination is designed to assess the knowledge and clinical skills required to deliver a high standard of ophthalmic care, both in hospitals and in independent clinical practices.

Dr Sunaric Mégevand paid special tribute to the 280 examiners from 27 countries who put the candidates through their paces during the examinations.

“The examiners have given so generously of their valuable time to come to Paris to ensure the success of the exam. It is a very difficult task and the EBO is extremely grateful for your efforts. Without your contribution, it simply would not be possible to host these exams every year,” she said.

Dr Sunaric Mégevand also thanked the French Society of Ophthalmology (SFO), which hosts the exam every year in conjunction with its annual meeting, as well as Laboratoires Théa for their active support over many years.

Addressing the assembled audience, Dr Pierre-Jean Pisella, President of the SFO, said that the French society remains deeply committed to the EBO exams and looks forward to hosting many more in the future.

The EBO exams also included the third subspecialty examination in glaucoma (FEBOS-Glaucoma Diploma), organised in collaboration with the European Glaucoma Society (EGS).

“The effort that has been made by the EBO to set a standard level of proficiency in knowledge in ophthalmology is truly laudable. I think this is a very important initiative that will ultimately benefit patients in the long-term,” said Prof Carlo Traverso, a member of the EGS Executive Committee.

The inaugural Peter Watson Medal, awarded for the best score in the FEBOS exam, went to Dr Pedro Faria from Portugal.

The 2017 Peter Eustace Medal, in recognition of service to the cause of European ophthalmic education, was awarded to British ophthalmologist Prof Roger Hitchings.

This year, Katja Matovic from Slovenia received the Alan Ridgway Award for best multiple choice questions (MCQs) result, while the award for Best Overall EBOD outcome was shared by four candidates: Celal Murat Hasanreisoglu from Turkey, Eliane Vogler from Switzerland, Marvin Marti from Switzerland, and Michal Post from Poland.