100+ Free ICO Clinical Ophthalmology (Advanced) Practice Questions
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Key Facts: ICO Clinical Ophthalmology (Advanced) Exam
FICO
Passing the Advanced Examination confers the Fellow of the International Council of Ophthalmology post-nominal
International Council of Ophthalmology - Advanced Examination
3 hours
The Advanced Examination is a three-hour, English-only booklet examination
International Council of Ophthalmology - Advanced Examination
10 EMQs + 75 SBA
The paper contains 10 extended matching questions plus 75 single-best-answer descriptions
International Council of Ophthalmology / Eyedocs ICO exam summary
3 Standard exams first
Candidates must pass Visual Sciences, Optics/Refraction/Instruments and Clinical Ophthalmology before the Advanced Examination
International Council of Ophthalmology - Advanced Examination
~6 weeks
Results are typically released about six weeks after the examination
International Council of Ophthalmology - Advanced Examination
13 domains
The syllabus spans all clinical subspecialties plus ethics and community eye health
International Council of Ophthalmology - Advanced Examination
English only
The Advanced Examination is conducted in English only
International Council of Ophthalmology - Advanced Examination
100
Free original practice questions in this bank
OpenExamPrep
The ICO Advanced Examination in Clinical Ophthalmology is the final International Council of Ophthalmology examination and leads to the FICO post-nominal. It is a three-hour, English-only booklet of 10 extended matching questions plus 75 context-setting single-best-answer items, all computer-marked from OMR sheets. Candidates must first pass the three Standard examinations (Visual Sciences; Optics, Refraction and Instruments; and Clinical Ophthalmology). The exam tests applied clinical reasoning across every subspecialty, and the ICO sets the pass standard by criterion-referenced standard-setting rather than a single fixed percentage, with results about six weeks later. This 100-question bank gives original single-best-answer practice spanning all of those clinical areas.
Sample ICO Clinical Ophthalmology (Advanced) Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your ICO Clinical Ophthalmology (Advanced) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A 28-year-old contact lens wearer presents with a painful red eye, a central corneal infiltrate with an overlying epithelial defect, and a hypopyon. What is the most appropriate initial management?
2A 19-year-old with progressive myopic astigmatism shows central corneal steepening, an irregular retinoscopy reflex, and Vogt striae. Which sign is most specific for this condition?
3A patient develops a dendritic corneal ulcer that stains with fluorescein and has terminal end-bulbs. What is the preferred first-line treatment?
4Which corneal dystrophy is caused by TGFBI gene mutations and characterised by branching, refractile amyloid deposits in the stroma with recurrent erosions?
5A farmer presents with a feathery-edged corneal infiltrate, satellite lesions, and a history of vegetative trauma. Which class of organism is most likely?
6Before corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin and UV-A for progressive keratoconus, what is the conventional minimum corneal thickness required to reduce endothelial damage?
7Which complication is most specifically associated with laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and not with surface ablation such as PRK?
8A patient develops blurred vision and diffuse white granular material in the lamellar interface days after LASIK, without infiltrate or epithelial defect. What is this condition?
9A 65-year-old presents with sudden severe ocular pain, a fixed mid-dilated pupil, a shallow anterior chamber, and intraocular pressure of 55 mmHg. What is the immediate priority of treatment?
10Which class of topical glaucoma medication lowers intraocular pressure primarily by increasing uveoscleral outflow of aqueous humour?
About the ICO Clinical Ophthalmology (Advanced) Exam
The ICO Advanced Examination in Clinical Ophthalmology is the final and most demanding assessment in the International Council of Ophthalmology examination sequence and leads to the post-nominal FICO (Fellow of the International Council of Ophthalmology). Candidates may sit it only after passing the three Standard examinations: Visual Sciences; Optics, Refraction and Instruments; and Clinical Ophthalmology. The three-hour, English-only paper combines 10 extended matching questions with 75 context-setting single-best-answer items, all computer-marked from OMR answer sheets. It focuses on applied clinical reasoning across every subspecialty, including cornea and external disease, refractive surgery, glaucoma, vitreo-retinal disease, uveitis, neuro-ophthalmology, paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, oculoplastics and orbit, lens and cataract, ocular oncology and pathology, low vision rehabilitation, ethics and professionalism, and community eye health. The examination is offered at test centres in many countries, and results are released about six weeks afterwards.
Assessment
Booklet examination of 10 extended matching questions (EMQs) and 75 context-setting single-best-answer descriptions, each requiring one best response; answers are recorded on OMR sheets and computer-marked.
Time Limit
Three hours, conducted in English only.
Passing Score
The ICO applies its own criterion-referenced standard-setting to determine the pass mark; no single fixed percentage is published. Results are typically released about six weeks after the examination.
Exam Fee
Fees are set per country by ICO and local coordinators, with lower fees in countries that have collaborating ophthalmology societies. Confirm the current fee with your local coordinator or icoassessment@icoph.org. (International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO))
ICO Clinical Ophthalmology (Advanced) Exam Content Outline
Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery
Corneal dystrophies and degenerations such as keratoconus and Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, infectious and non-infectious keratitis, ocular surface and dry eye disease, corneal transplantation, and the principles, indications and complications of refractive surgery.
Glaucoma
Mechanisms of primary open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma, intraocular pressure and optic disc assessment, visual field interpretation, medical, laser and incisional surgical management, and congenital and secondary glaucomas.
Vitreo-retinal Disease
Diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein and artery occlusions, rhegmatogenous and tractional retinal detachment, hereditary and inflammatory retinal disease, and pharmacologic and surgical management including anti-VEGF therapy.
Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation
Anatomic classification of uveitis, infectious causes such as toxoplasmosis and herpetic disease, systemic associations including HLA-B27 disease and sarcoidosis, masquerade syndromes, investigation, and corticosteroid and immunomodulatory treatment.
Neuro-ophthalmology
Optic neuropathies, visual pathway lesions and field defects, pupillary abnormalities, cranial nerve palsies and ocular motility disorders, nystagmus, and neuro-ophthalmic emergencies such as giant cell arteritis and papilloedema.
Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Amblyopia and its management, comitant and incomitant strabismus, paediatric cataract and glaucoma, retinopathy of prematurity, leukocoria and retinoblastoma, and developmental and genetic eye disease.
Oculoplastics, Orbit and Lacrimal
Eyelid malpositions, ptosis and eyelid tumours, orbital inflammatory and neoplastic disease, thyroid eye disease, orbital and eyelid trauma, and lacrimal drainage obstruction and its surgery.
Lens, Cataract and Anterior Segment
Cataract morphology and aetiology, phacoemulsification and intraocular lens selection including biometry, intra-operative and post-operative complications, and management of the complicated anterior segment.
Ocular Oncology and Pathology
Intraocular tumours such as uveal melanoma and retinoblastoma, eyelid and conjunctival tumours, ophthalmic pathology, and clinico-pathological correlation of common ocular conditions.
Emergencies, Trauma, Ethics and Community Eye Health
Ocular trauma including open-globe and chemical injuries, sight-threatening emergencies, low vision rehabilitation, ethics and professionalism in ophthalmology, and community and public eye health priorities such as cataract and trachoma blindness.
How to Pass the ICO Clinical Ophthalmology (Advanced) Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: The ICO applies its own criterion-referenced standard-setting to determine the pass mark; no single fixed percentage is published. Results are typically released about six weeks after the examination.
- Assessment: Booklet examination of 10 extended matching questions (EMQs) and 75 context-setting single-best-answer descriptions, each requiring one best response; answers are recorded on OMR sheets and computer-marked.
- Time limit: Three hours, conducted in English only.
- Exam fee: Fees are set per country by ICO and local coordinators, with lower fees in countries that have collaborating ophthalmology societies. Confirm the current fee with your local coordinator or icoassessment@icoph.org.
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
ICO Clinical Ophthalmology (Advanced) Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICO Advanced Examination?
It is the final examination in the International Council of Ophthalmology sequence. Passing it allows candidates to use the post-nominal FICO (Fellow of the International Council of Ophthalmology). It focuses on applied clinical ophthalmology across all subspecialties.
What is the format of the ICO Advanced Examination?
It is a three-hour booklet examination of 10 extended matching questions plus 75 context-setting descriptions, each with associated statements requiring a single best answer. Answers are recorded on OMR sheets and computer-marked. It is conducted in English only.
Do I have to pass the Standard examinations first?
Yes. Candidates must have already passed the Visual Sciences; Optics, Refraction and Instruments; and Clinical Ophthalmology Standard examinations before sitting the Advanced Examination.
What is the passing score?
The ICO sets the pass standard using its own criterion-referenced standard-setting process, so there is no single fixed percentage published. Results are typically released about six weeks after the examination.
How much does the ICO Advanced Examination cost?
Fees are set per country by the ICO and local coordinators, and lower fees apply in countries with collaborating ophthalmology societies. Confirm the current fee with your local coordinator or by contacting the ICO Examinations Team.
Are these official ICO questions?
No. These are original OpenExamPrep practice questions modelled on the subspecialty coverage and single-best-answer style of the Advanced Examination. The ICO provides its own official guidance and resources separately.