Best Ophthalmology Exam Preparation Resources
Last updated: October 2026
There are more ophthalmology study resources than any resident can use. This page lists the ones trainees around the world rely on most, what each is best for, and how to combine them with free RPC Rounds material into a study plan that actually works.
RPC Rounds has no affiliation with the external resources listed here. Availability and pricing change, so check each website.
Question banks and board preparation
| Resource | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| OphthoQuestions | OKAP and US written board practice | Paid question bank with detailed explanations and images; widely used by US residents |
| AAO Board Prep Resources | Official OKAP and board review material | Review presentations, self-assessment and case resources from the American Academy of Ophthalmology |
| AIOS-OKAT | Indian national benchmark for PG trainees | See our AIOS-OKAT exam guide |
| RPC Question Bank | MD/MS/DNB exam practice | Free on RPC Rounds |
Foundations, rotations and rapid review
| Resource | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EyeGuru | First-year residents and rotations | Free study guides, imaging practice modules and flashcards; written by residents |
| OphthoBook (Dr. Tim Root) | Medical students and beginners | Simple, illustrated explanations of optics, neuro-ophthalmology and the eye exam, with video lectures |
| EyeWiki | Looking up any topic quickly | AAO's peer-reviewed online encyclopaedia |
| EyeRounds (University of Iowa) | Cases, images and tutorials | Case reports, atlas, tutorials and Anki decks |
| Moran CORE (University of Utah) | Lectures and surgical videos | Grand rounds, resident lectures and surgery videos by subspecialty |
| Eyes for Ears podcast | Learning while commuting | Audio reviews by subspecialty; search "Eyes for Ears" in your podcast app |
| RPC Rounds | Exam high-yield lists, investigation reading, calculators | Free; start with the new reader's guide |
A study plan that combines them
- Learn the topic from one main textbook or set of notes, so your knowledge has a backbone. Don't read five sources on the same topic.
- Consolidate with short, high-yield summaries: RPC Rounds guides, classifications, gradings and landmark trials.
- Test yourself with questions from early on, not only at the end. Questions show you what you don't know.
- Review mistakes in a notebook or flashcard deck, and revisit them every week.
- Apply it clinically: read up on every interesting patient you see the same evening. Clinical memory lasts longest.
Suggested weekly rhythm
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | One subspecialty topic per evening, plus 20–30 questions on it |
| Friday | Investigations: one OCT, topography or visual field topic |
| Saturday | Timed mixed question block, then review every wrong answer |
| Sunday | Rest, or light revision of your mistake notebook |
For exam-ready notes by subspecialty, see the iNotes and other books by Dr. Dhaval Patel.
📘 Want more exam-ready material? See Most Commons in Ophthalmology on Kindle, or browse all my books.
Looking for an eye specialist in Ahmedabad? Learn about our Eye Department or book a consultation with Dr. Dhaval Patel.