Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC)

Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC)

The Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC) designation is the highest level of accreditation offered by the American Academy of Orthokeratology & Myopia Control (AAOMC) to individuals who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in myopia management and orthokeratology through a combination of education, training, and experience. The FIAOMC program is designed for eyecare professionals who have a deep commitment to the field of myopia control and orthokeratology and have made significant contributions to the advancement of the field. By completing the FIAOMC program, individuals can demonstrate a mastery of the latest research, techniques, and best practices in myopia management and orthokeratology, as well as a commitment to ongoing education and professional development. The FIAOMC designation represents the pinnacle of achievement in the field of myopia management and orthokeratology and is a testament to an individual’s dedication to providing the highest level of care to their patients.

The FIAOMC Journey

WHAT IS AN FIAOMC?

FELLOW OF THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF ORTHOKERATOLOGY AND MYOPIA CONTROL

A doctor must meet rigorous professional standards prior to applying for a fellowship. The  journey involves:

  • presenting several highly complex cases the candidate has personally designed and managed

  • a two-hour written test

  • a two-hour oral examination where they are presented with difficult and challenging cases.  The candidate must identify problems and propose unique solutions for each case.

The candidate’s performance is then evaluated by a team of 3 experienced FIAOMCs.  If they determine the candidate has demonstrated superior fellowship-level skills, the honor of  FIAOMC is granted.   This journey is rigorous and currently, there are fewer than 200 FIAOMCs worldwide.

HOW TO APPLY

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Must provide proof of fitting 50 cases. A minimum of 40 must be orthoK-overnight or day wear but the remainder may be interesting myopia control cases.

  • Must have been an IOAMC member for the last 2 continuous years

  • Must have attended one IAOMC section meeting within the last 3 years

  • Must have attended Ortho-K Bootcamp

  • Must own and use a topographer

  • If candidates employ trial or empirical fitting, must be able to perform Ortho-K with a minimum of 2 different Ortho-K companies

  • If the candidate is a member of the IAOMC-Asia, they must hold the rank of SIAOA (senior member of the IAOAMC-Asia) before they may apply to take the FIAOMC test.

  • If you meet the above mandatory prerequisites, submit your application and case #1 abstract to your section fellowship chair.

APPLICATION

SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO:

If your section does not have a chair, or you don’t belong to a defined section contact Caroline Cauchi (IAOMC Fellowship chair)

ATTAINING THE FIAOMC: PROTOCOL & POLICIES:

Click here for the PDF version of the FIAOMC Protocol

TESTING PROTOCOL

Mandatory Prerequisites

  • Must provide proof of fitting 50 cases. A minimum of 40 must be Ortho-K,  overnight or day wear but the remainder may be interesting myopia control cases.

  • Must have been an IOAMC member for the last 2 continuous years

  • Must have attended one IAOMC section meeting within the last 3 years

  • Must have attended OrthoK Bootcamp

  • If a candidate can document having fit 100 Ortho-K cases, the boot camp requirement is waived.

  • Must own and use a topographer.

  • If candidates employ trial or empirical fitting, must be able to perform Ortho-K with a minimum of 2 different Ortho-K companies

  • If the candidate employs software that is fully modifiable, then only one company is necessary.

  • If the candidate is a member of the IAOMC-Asia, they must hold the rank of SIAOA (senior member of the IAOAMC-Asia) before they may apply to take the FIAOMC test.

  • If you meet the above mandatory prerequisites, submit your application and case #1 abstract to your section fellowship chair.

If you are selected as one of this year’s FIAOMC candidates, then proceed to the elective choices.

ELECTIVE CHOICES

Any combination of 30 points from the following categories (must be related to Ortho-K or myopia control)

  • Definitions:  All of these categories must be related to Ortho-K, myopia management, or scleral lenses

  • Peer-reviewed scientific publication.  First or second author.  Peer-Reviewed journal approved by the panel.  Published within the last 8 years

  • Other publication:  Published non-research paper discussing a unique topic relevant to Ortho-K or myopia control

  • Poster:  Case report, small study, or unique topic.  Displayed at panel-approved conferences within the last 5 years

  • Presentation –cannot have a financial interest in the topic.  Sole presenter – minimum 1 hour.  Presented within last 5 years

  • Postgraduate degree-Ph.D.,  Postgraduate Master’s degree, Fellowship or Residency: The field should be related to Ortho-K or myopia control.  Accredited university

  • Primary Investigator or CoPI in a clinical trial:  If ongoing trial, must have been started at least 3 months prior. Completion not longer than 5 years ago

  • The rank of Professor/Assistant Professor:   Accredited university.  Active appointment

  • Other:  Other activities may be considered.  Submit a proposal to the oral committee

WRITTEN TEST

The candidate will be provided with a video study guide. A written test may be waived if the candidate has 30 points of alternate elective prerequisites

CASES  (DEADLINES MUST BE OBSERVED)

Must use standardized FIAOMC  template for preparation (unless exception granted). Cases must include topographic maps AND NaFl photos or videos

Case #1 – practice/mentoring

  • This case has already been submitted as part of the application process

  • Your chair will review the case and provide extensive feedback regarding preparation and questions regarding the treatment protocol.

  • This is where the candidate has the opportunity to ask questions and receive guidance on case preparation. They will not receive any feedback on cases 2 or 3.

  • When the chair determines that the candidate understands how to prepare a case that reflects their fellowship abilities, then they will submit abstracts 2 and 3

Cases 2 and 3 – for Oral Panel Exam

  • Abstracts must be accepted prior to case preparation

  • Cases submitted to the chair. Candidate’s oral panel members will judge if the cases are of sufficient complexity, prepared in a professional manner, and demonstrate fellowship quality performance.

  • If cases are accepted, they will be part of the oral panel exam questions and the candidate proceeds to the oral exam.

  • If they do not pass, the candidate may provide alternate cases if time permits. If not, the candidate must wait until the next testing opportunity.

Case requirements: 

Cases must be submitted that are interesting and of sufficient complexity to demonstrate fellowship-quality fitting skills.  Cases must include overnight or daytime Ortho-K.  one case must show a myopia control design and treatment protocol.  But must also be interesting,  complex, and detailed. The panel will determine if the cases qualify and request alternate cases if they are not of sufficient complexity or prepared poorly.

Here is a suggested list of categories for complex cases and interesting cases.  Cases must showcase superior skills:

  • Central Island

  • Toric design with high cyl or limbal to limbal

  • Serious problems with glare

  • Resistant or failed Tx despite modifications

  • Poor myopia control

  • Post-surgical fit

  • Significant over or under correction

  • High Rx or low eccentricity

  • Significant SPK

  • Decentration affecting vision

  • Lens adherence

  • Refit from another practitioner

  • Unique myopia control protocol

Note: the candidate may choose to take the written exam but postpone case preparation and the oral exam until the following year.

TESTING

WRITTEN EXAM 

Candidates must pass with a minimum score of 85% curve-adjusted then they progress to the Oral Panel Exam. If the score is less than 85% (curve adjusted) – the test must be repeated. Allowed one retest at no charge. If a candidate fails a second time, must submit a new application and pay the full fee again.

ORAL PANEL EXAM (OPE)

The panel will consist of two to three FIAOs

Will consist of:

  • questions regarding cases 2 and 3

  • Viewing maps, NAFL patterns and answering questions

  • Design question regarding myopia control

  • a discussion designed to test the comprehensive knowledge of the applicant

Scoring

The passing minimum score is 85%

The score is less than 85% —

  • The oral panel exam must be repeated at the next testing opportunity.

  • May only retake OPE once. If a candidate fails for a second time, they must submit a new application and pay full testing fees.

  • May be given a “provisional” pass and required to submit an additional case to demonstrate knowledge.

POLICIES

RE-EXAMINATION

Written Exam:

  • allowed one retest at no charge

  • if the candidate fails a second time, must submit a new application and pay the full fee again.

Oral Panel Exam(OPE):

  • All testing must be completed within 2 years from the date of the initial written exam.

  • If it is later than that date, the candidate must reapply and pay the new fee.

FEES

Application fee: 

Each section is responsible for determining the FIAO testing fee.  15% of the application fee must go to the IAO.  The fee is paid directly to the section by whatever means they set up.

Test taken “out of section”

If a candidate chooses to take the test (oral and written) out-of-section, the entire fee goes to the other section. The out-of-section chair is responsible for accepting and reviewing the application.  In-section applications are given priority.

Retaking any portion of the exam:  

There is no fee to retake the written or oral exam ONCE. If the candidates fail for a second time, they must reapply and pay full fees.

POLICIES

FEES

Each section is responsible for determining the FIAO testing fee.

Section | In-Section Fee | Out-of-Section Fee | Fee to IAO

AAOMC | 500 USD | 650 USD | $75.00/$97.50

EurOK | 400 EU | 650 EU | 60/90 EU

IAOA

OSO | 700 AUD | 1000 AUD | 105/150 AUD

ALOCM

BIPOMCA | ￡380 | ￡600 | ￡56/90

15% of the application fee must go to the IAO.  The fee is paid directly to the section by whatever means they set up.

TEST TAKEN “OUT OF SECTION”

If a candidate chooses to take the test (oral and written) out-of-section, the entire fee goes to the other section. The out-of-section chair is responsible for accepting and reviewing the application.  In-section applications are given priority.

RE-EXAMINATION

Written Exam and Oral Panel Exam: allowed one retest at no charge if the candidate fails a second time, must submit a new application, and pay the full fee again. All testing must be completed within 2 years from the date of the initial written exam. If it is later than that date, the candidate must reapply and pay the new fee.