Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40772599›Full record

ReviewActa ophthalmologica2026

Competency-based European training requirements for the specialty of ophthalmology. Recommendations from the UEMS section of ophthalmology and the European Board of Ophthalmology.

Helena Prior Filipe, Rémi Yaïci, Renata Ivekovic, Denise Curtin, Rimvydas Asoklis, Huban Atilla, Elske Bak, Ana Pueyo-Bestué, Michèle Beaconsfield, Catherine Creuzot-Garcher and 20 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Acta ophthalmologica, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

30 authors.

Helena Prior FilipeDepartment of Ophthalmology, Hospital of Egas Moniz, Western Lisbon Hospital Centre, Lisbon, Portugal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1081-7570
Rémi YaïciDepartment of Ophthalmology, Strasbourg University Hospital, NHC, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7476-2724
Renata IvekovicDepartment of Ophthalmology, School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb, University Medical Centre Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia.
Denise CurtinRoyal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
Rimvydas AsoklisDepartment of Ophthalmology, Clinic of Ears, Nose, Throat and Eye Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Huban AtillaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
Elske BakDepartment of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6746-7495
Ana Pueyo-BestuéDepartment of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0314-2947
Michèle BeaconsfieldDepartment of Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK.
Catherine Creuzot-GarcherDepartment of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Dijon, University of Dijon, Dijon, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3587-4598
Barbara CvenkelDepartment of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7402-1854
Lisa FlanaganEBO Secretariat, FS Exam Services, Ltd., Dublin, Ireland.
Saskia ImhofDepartment of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Tero KiveläDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1198-4394
Carina KoppenDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
Ewa Mrukwa-KominecDepartment of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Anna MainoManchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester, UK.
Frédéric MouriauxDepartment of Ophthalmology, Rennes University Hospital, University of Rennes, Strasbourg, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9183-4235
Aurore MuselierCentre Ophtalmologique Saint Paul, Paris, France.
Sorcha Ni DhubghaillDepartment of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije University of Brussels, University Hospital Brussels (Jette), Brussels, Belgium.
Karsten PaustBonner Augen, St Johannes Hospital, Bonn, Germany.
Siegfried PriglingerDepartment of Ophthalmology, LMU, Munich, Germany.
Marcin StopaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Chair of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan University Hospital, Poznan, Poland.
Brendan StrongEBO Secretariat, FS Exam Services, Ltd., Dublin, Ireland.
Felix TannerEchocardiography, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Marie-José TassignonDepartment of Ophthalmology, University of Antwerp and Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8302-8006
Paul UrsellEpsom & St Helier University NHS Trust, London, UK.
ETR Subspecialties Working Group
Wagih AclimandosKing's College Hospital, London, UK.
Tristan BourcierDepartment of Ophthalmology, Strasbourg University Hospital, NHC, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9427-7008

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeOphthalmology encompasses comprehensive medical and surgical care for patients with diverse visual system disorders, significantly impacting eye health, vision, and quality of life. European ophthalmologists undergo specialized residency training to acquire necessary competencies, emphasizing theoretical knowledge, clinical and surgical skills, and professional behaviour. The European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) and the European Board of Ophthalmology (EBO) advocate for competency-based medical education (CBME), standardized training frameworks, and harmonized assessments across Europe.

methodsIn 2023, a survey among European ophthalmologists demonstrated broad consensus on establishing unified training requirements. Subsequently, a Core Working Group developed European Training Requirements (ETRs) for ophthalmology, detailing curricula, subspecialty rotations, and Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) across a structured four-year residency.

resultsThese ETRs, formally approved by UEMS in October 2024, incorporate simulation-based training, workplace-based assessments (WPBA), and innovative evaluation methods such as electronic portfolios. Certification as a European Specialist in Ophthalmology involves passing rigorous summative assessments, including the European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD) examination. Training institutions must offer substantial clinical exposure, robust infrastructure, and comprehensive educational resources. Faculty support, continuous quality assurance, regular audits, and clinical governance frameworks are essential.

conclusionThe ETRs also highlight the importance of interprofessional collaboration and encourage subspecialty expansion in emerging areas like ophthalmic oncology and global ophthalmology. Designed as a dynamic, "living document," the ETRs will evolve with scientific and technological advancements, supporting high-quality ophthalmic education and practice while respecting national diversity and sovereignty.

Indexed as

Clinical CompetenceCompetency-Based EducationEducation, Medical, GraduateInternship and ResidencyOphthalmologySpecialty BoardsCurriculumEuropeEuropean UnionHumansSocieties, Medicalattitudecompetencycurriculumeducationentrustable professional activityknowledgelogbookophthalmologyprofessionalismskills

Identifiers

PMID40772599
PMCPMC12888940

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.