Passing the EBO examination was a goal I set when I started my last year of training in Ophthalmology in Greece after completing 3 years of Ophthalmology in the UK.
The EBO exam is becoming more and more popular with Greek trainees and I thought it would be a challenge and great opportunity for me. It is not obligatory in Greece at present but highly recommended.
It gave me the amazing chance to read through basic sciences applied to the eye and the most important topics in ophthalmology. Unless a trainee has the pressure of an exam coming up there are certain details which one cannot read through carefully and remember.
The written part is a bit stressful with regards to the negative marking. The 52 MCQs are reasonable but require a good preparation for this sort of test. Some questions are difficult and and there will always be certain questions a candidate will be unsure of. The main tip is not to panic, to read carefully and to allow time to concentrate and think carefully.
The second part which comprises of 4 separate stations each one with 2 examiners is the oral part. Each station has a different topic. There is no time to prepare your answers as questions are asked in the form of a clinical scenario based on images/patients tests shown on a screen. The examiners are friendly and one can choose to be examined in their own language. I chose to take the oral exam in English but if a candidate feels safer in their own language, there are options of other languages for the oral part.
The examination days ends with a nice dinner accompanied with music and results are announced on the next day followed by the Diploma Award Ceremony. The pass rate is very good so don’t stress and panic.
The organisation and administration is excellent and the two days run very smoothly for participants. The Palais de Congres is a lovely venue too.
The EBO website is a great resource for the exam along with the usual literature such as the AAO series, Kanski and books for basic sciences applied to the eye.
Paris is lovely at this time of year so after the exam is over its nice to reward yourself with a walk around this gorgeous city.
Altogether I highly recommend this exam to my colleagues across Europe regardless of whether it is compulsory for them or not. It is the best way to refresh your knowledge, revise and learn and above all a rewarding experience. Don’t miss this opportunity!

This session has been developed jointly by the YO committees of MEACO, SOE and AAO.  The theme for the session is education, the issues young ophthalmologists across the globalising world are now facing, and how best to make the most of opportunities, and face challenges. 

The session will take the form of a chat-show, hosted by a MEACO representative (Eddie Legodi), and speakers will be the guests on the chat-show.  Each topic will be addressed primarily using a question and answer session.   

The session topics will be:

 ·         Setting up residency programmes in the Middle East – The Arab Board (Saleh Saif, Abu Dhabi (MEACO)) 

·         Opportunities and resources available for establishing residency programmes (Sanjay Kedhar, US (AAO)) 

·         European Board of Ophthalmology – Europe harmonising ophthalmic education (Wagih Aclimandos (EBO President), UK (SOE)) 

·         Arranging a fellowship abroad – pearls and pitfalls (Manal Taryam, (MEACO))

 ·         Surgical training – how do we set the standards? (George Saleh, UK (SOE))

 ·         Modern social media in ophthalmology (Tamara Fountain, US (AAO))

 Prof. Henkes was born in Scheveningen in 1918 and studied medicine in Utrecht. He obtained his PhD with a thesis titled “Some applications of histological and micro-chemical vitamin C research”.

After his training as an ophthalmologist in Utrecht he started his career at The Rotterdam Eye Hospital. In 1961 he succeeded Prof. Flieringa as Medical Director. After the foundation of “Higher Clinical Education” he was appointed associate professor in 1961 and full  professor of ophthalmology in Rotterdam in 1967. Professor Henkes worked at The Rotterdam Eye Hospital and brought it to full bloom. After an apprenticeship in Sweden and America he studied electro-ophthalmology. He became the founder of electro-ophthalmology in Holland.

As secretary and treasurer during many years and later on as chairman of the SOE he particularly promoted the development of ophthalmology in Eastern Europe. Ophthalmology outside of Europe also had his attention; for instance, he encouraged his students to work in Africa.

Professor Henkes has held several management positions, both national and International.  Among others, he was the founder and chairman of the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision. He received the prestigious Von Helmholtz prize for his efforts in ophthalmology. He was a member of the Royal Academy of Science and of many other organizations.

Prof. Dr. Harold E. Henkes passed away in 2010.

SOE Board Meeting -Geneva 2011

The annual SOE Board Meeting took place on Friday 3rd June 2011 at the Joint SOE/AAO Congress in Geneva and was well attended by Board Members and Honorary Council Members.

At the end of the meeting the Secretary General Prof. Seregard offered a vote of thanks to Prof. van Rij for his work as President and previously as Treasurer of the SOE and said his input would be greatly missed. Prof. Van Rij thanked Prof. Seregard for his kind words and wished him luck in his new role as President.

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