AOC Education & Training 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How often must Certified Orthoptists (COs) complete recertification to maintain their AOC credential?
- Every 2 years
- Every 3 years
- Every 5 years (Correct answer)
- Every 10 years
Correct answer: Every 5 years
AOC requires Certified Orthoptists to recertify every 5 years through continuing education and a recertification examination or portfolio.
Question 2: Which of the following continuing education activities is recognized by the AOC for recertification credit?
- Completing a cardiology CME course unrelated to ophthalmology
- Attending AAPOS or AAO annual meetings with ophthalmology content (Correct answer)
- Taking a general nursing CEU course
- Completing a dental anesthesia workshop
Correct answer: Attending AAPOS or AAO annual meetings with ophthalmology content
Attendance at ophthalmology-relevant meetings such as AAPOS or AAO conferences is accepted for AOC continuing education credit.
Question 3: An orthoptic trainee's program is placed on probation by ACAHPO. What is the most likely reason?
- The program graduated too many certified orthoptists
- Inadequate clinical case variety or supervising physician ratio (Correct answer)
- Offering elective weekend training sessions
- Using electronic case logs instead of paper records
Correct answer: Inadequate clinical case variety or supervising physician ratio
ACAHPO may place programs on probation if clinical case variety is insufficient or the supervising physician-to-trainee ratio falls below standards.
Question 4: Which of the following is a required component of the AOC oral examination for certification?
- Demonstration of fluorescein angiography interpretation
- Presentation of clinical case management and sensorimotor findings (Correct answer)
- Surgical technique demonstration on a simulation model
- Completion of a research abstract
Correct answer: Presentation of clinical case management and sensorimotor findings
The AOC oral examination requires candidates to present and defend clinical cases, including sensorimotor findings and management decisions.
Question 5: A trainee fails the AOC written exam on the first attempt. What is the standard policy regarding retakes?
- The trainee is permanently barred from recertification
- The trainee may retake the exam after a mandatory waiting period (Correct answer)
- The trainee must restart the full 24-month training program
- The trainee automatically passes the oral exam instead
Correct answer: The trainee may retake the exam after a mandatory waiting period
Candidates who fail the AOC written exam may retake it after fulfilling a mandatory waiting period as specified by the AOC examination policies.
Question 6: Which of the following best reflects the scope of clinical cases expected in an orthoptic training program?
- Only adult esotropia cases
- Only pediatric amblyopia cases
- A diverse mix including strabismus, amblyopia, nystagmus, and neuro-ophthalmology (Correct answer)
- Exclusively post-surgical strabismus follow-up
Correct answer: A diverse mix including strabismus, amblyopia, nystagmus, and neuro-ophthalmology
AOC training programs require exposure to a diverse case mix including all forms of strabismus, amblyopia, nystagmus, and neuro-ophthalmic conditions.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of the ACAHPO site visit during orthoptic program accreditation?
- To recruit new orthoptic trainees directly
- To verify that program standards, facilities, and supervision meet accreditation criteria (Correct answer)
- To conduct the oral board examinations on-site
- To audit the program's financial accounts
Correct answer: To verify that program standards, facilities, and supervision meet accreditation criteria
ACAHPO site visits verify that programs meet established standards for curriculum, supervision, facilities, and clinical training quality.
AOC Education & Training 3
How often must Certified Orthoptists (COs) complete recertification to maintain their AOC credential?