For most of us, starting residency can feel like stepping into the deep end of the swimming pool. But reading the Academy’s Basic and Clinical Science Course™ (BCSC©) series can help keep you afloat by building a solid knowledge base. It’s also a vital part of prepping for the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP) exam.
There’s a lot of material to get through, but never fear! To assist with your OKAP prep, here’s a reading schedule that will give you some structure and help you finish the series on time. It begins on the second week of the 2016–2017 academic year and ends in late February 2017. This will leave you with a few weeks to review other material before the March 18 exam date. (Note: This proposed schedule does not include the Update on General Medicine book, which is still tested.)
The highest-yield books are scheduled for earlier on in the year, which will also be helpful clinically for the more junior resident. Good luck!
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2016
7/11–7/17 |
Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology Section 2 (pages 5–128)
Begin with: Chapter 1: Orbit and Ocular Adnexa End after: Chapter 4: Ocular Development; Genetic Cascades and Morphogenic Gradients — Future Directions |
18 Pages/Day |
7/18–7/24 |
Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology Section 2 (pages 131–269)
Begin with: Part III Introduction End after: Chapter 12: Retina; Retinal Electrophysiology |
20 Pages/Day |
7/25–7/31 |
Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology Section 2 (pages 271–389)
Begin with: Chapter 13: Retinal Pigment Epithelium; Anatomical Description End after: Study Questions and Answers (END OF BOOK) |
17 Pages/Day |
8/1–8/7 |
Lens and Cataract Section 11 (pages 1–126)
Begin with: General Introduction; Objectives End after: Chapter 7: Surgery for Cataract; Outcomes of Cataract Surgery |
18 Pages/Day |
8/8–8/14 |
Lens and Cataract Section 11 (pages 127–221)
Begin with: Chapter 8: Complications of Cataract Surgery; Corneal Complications End after: Study Questions and Answers (END OF BOOK) |
14 Pages/Day |
8/15–8/21 |
Glaucoma Section 10 (pages 1–146)
Begin with: Objectives End after: Chapter 5: Angle-Closure Glaucoma; Drug-Induced Secondary Angle-Closure Glaucoma |
21 Pages/Day |
8/22–8/28 |
Glaucoma Section 10 (pages 147–240)
Begin with: Chapter 6: Glaucoma in Children and Adolescents End after: Study Questions and Answers (END OF BOOK) |
13 Pages/Day |
8/29–9/4 |
Retina and Vitreous Section 12 (pages 1–156)
Begin with: Objectives End after: Chapter 7: Other Retinal Vascular Diseases; Terson Syndrome |
22 Pages/Day |
9/5–9/11 |
Retina and Vitreous Section 12 (pages 157–288)
Begin with: Chapter 8: Retinopathy of Prematurity; Introduction End after: Chapter 15: Retinal Detachment and Predisposing Lesions; Macular Holes in High Myopia |
19 Pages/Day |
9/12–9/18 |
Retina and Vitreous Section 12 (pages 289–380)
Begin with: Chapter 16: Diseases of the Vitreous and Vitreoretinal Interface End after: Study Questions and Answers (END OF BOOK) |
13 Pages/Day |
9/19–9/25 |
External Disease and Cornea Section 8 (pages 1–169)
Begin with: Objectives End after: Chapter 6: Ocular Immunology; Diagnostic Approach to Immune-Mediated Ocular Disorders |
24 Pages/Day |
9/26–10/2 |
External Disease and Cornea Section 8 (pages 171–335)
Begin with: Chapter 7: Diagnosis and Management of Immune-Related Disorders of the External Eye End after: Chapter 12: Clinical Approach to Depositions and Degenerations of the Conjunctiva, Cornea, and Sclera — Endothelial Manifestations |
24 Pages/Day |
10/3–10/9 |
External Disease and Cornea Section 8 (pages 337–448)
Begin with: Chapter 13: Clinical Aspects of Toxic and Traumatic Injuries of the Anterior Segment; Injuries Caused by Temperature and Radiation End after: Study Questions and Answers (END OF BOOK) |
16 Pages/Day |
10/10–10/16 |
Orbit, Eyelids, and Lacrimal System Section 7 (pages 1–172)
Begin with: Objectives End after: Chapter 10: Classification and Management of Eyelid Disorders; Benign Adnexal Lesions |
25 Pages/Day |
10/17–10/23 |
Orbit, Eyelids, and Lacrimal System Section 7 (pages 172–306)
Begin with: Chapter 10: Classification and Management of Eyelid Disorders; Benign Melanocytic Lesions End after: Study Questions and Answers (END OF BOOK) |
19 Pages/Day |
10/24–10/30 |
Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors Section 4 (pages 1–138)
Begin with: Objectives End after: Chapter 10: Vitreous; Intraocular Lymphoma |
20 Pages/Day |
10/31–11/6 |
Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors Section 4 (pages 139–261)
Begin with: Chapter 11: Retina and Retinal Pigment Epithelium End after: Chapter 17: Melanocytic Tumors — Iris Melanoma |
18 Pages/Day |
11/7–11/13 |
Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors Section 4 (pages 262–342)
Begin with: Chapter 17: Melanocytic Tumors; Melanoma of the Ciliary Body and Choroid End after: Study Questions and Answers (END OF BOOK) |
12 Pages/Day |
11/14–11/20 |
Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Section 6 (pages 1–101)
Begin with: Objectives End after: Chapter 9: Exodeviations; Evaluation
Refractive Surgery Section 13 (pages 1–55)
Begin with: Objectives End after: Chapter 3: Incisional Corneal Surgery; Arcuate Keratotomy and Limbal Relaxing Incisions |
22 Pages/Day |
11/21–11/27 |
Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Section 6 (pages 101–201)
Begin with: Chapter 9: Exodeviations; Classification End after: Chapter 17: Eyelid Disorders; Congenital Ptosis
Refractive Surgery Section 13 (pages 55–106)
Begin with: Chapter 3: Incisional Corneal Surgery; Instrumentation End after: Chapter 6: Photoablation — Complications and Adverse Effects; Sterile Infiltrates |
22 Pages/Day |
11/28–12/4 |
Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Section 6 (pages 201–282)
Begin with: Chapter 17: Eyelid Disorders; Marcus Gunn Jaw-Winking Syndrome End after: Chapter 22: Pediatric Glaucomas; Primary Congenital Glaucoma
Refractive Surgery Section 13 (pages 106–149)
Begin with: Chapter 6: Photoablation — Complications and Side Effects; Corneal Haze End after: Chapter 8: Intraocular Surgery; Light-Adjustable Intraocular Lenses |
18 Pages/Day |
12/5–12/11 |
Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Section 6 (pages 282–382)
Begin with: Chapter 22: Pediatric Glaucomas; Juvenile Open-Angle Glaucoma End after: Chapter 28: Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Disease; Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Refractive Surgery Section 13 (pages 153–195)
Begin with: Chapter 9: Accommodative and Nonaccommodative Treatment of Presbyopia; Introduction End after: Chapter 11: Considerations After Refractive Surgery; Glaucoma After Refractive Surgery |
21 Pages/Day |
12/12–12/18 |
Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Section 6 (pages 383–427)
Begin with: Chapter 28: Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Disease; Familial Oculorenal Syndromes End after: Study Questions and Answers (END OF BOOK)
Refractive Surgery Section 13 (pages 197–236)
Begin with: Chapter 12: International Perspectives in Refractive Surgery; Introduction End after: Study Questions and Answers (END OF BOOK) |
12 Pages/Day |
Small Break for the Holidays: 12/19/2016 to 1/1/2017 |
2017
1/2–1/8 |
Intraocular Inflammation and Uveitis Section 9 (pages 1–189)
Begin with: Objectives End after: Chapter 6: Noninfectious Ocular Inflammatory Disease; Behçet Disease |
27 Pages/Day |
1/9–1/15 |
Intraocular Inflammation and Uveitis Section 9 (pages 191–325)
Begin with: Chapter 7: Infectious Ocular Inflammatory Diseases; Viral Uveitis End after: Study Questions and Answers (END OF BOOK) |
19 Pages/Day |
1/16–1/22 |
Neuro-Ophthalmology Section 5 (pages 1–145)
Begin with: Objectives End after: Chapter 4: The Patient With Decreased Vision — Classification and Management; Posterior Optic Neuropathies |
21 Pages/Day |
1/23–1/29 |
Neuro-Ophthalmology Section 5 (pages 145–275)
Begin with: Chapter 4: The Patient With Decreased Vision — Classification and Management; Optic Atrophy End after: Chapter 11: The Patient With Eyelid or Facial Abnormalities; Disorders of Overactivity of the Seventh Nerve |
19 Pages/Day |
1/30–2/5 |
Neuro-Ophthalmology Section 5 (pages 277–368)
Begin with: Chapter 12: The Patient With Head, Ocular, or Facial Pain; Evaluation of Headache End after: Study Questions and Answers (END OF BOOK) |
13 Pages/Day |
2/6–2/12 |
Clinical Optics Section 3 (pages 1–129)
Begin with: Objectives End after: Chapter 3: Clinical Refraction; The Prentice Rule and Bifocal Lens Design |
18 Pages/Day |
2/13–2/19 |
Clinical Optics Section 3 (pages 129–251)
Begin with: Chapter 3: Clinical Refraction; Occupation and Bifocal Segment End after: Chapter 7: Optical Instruments and Low Vision Aids; Surgical Microscope |
18 Pages/Day |
2/20–2/26 |
Clinical Optics Section 3 (pages 252–337)
Begin with: Chapter 7: Optical Instruments and Low Vision Aids; Geneva Lens Clock End after: Study Questions and Answers (END OF BOOK) |
12 Pages/Day |
Note: The eBook version of the BCSC does not have page numbers.
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About the author: Brian Chan-Kai, MD, is a vitreoretinal specialist at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, Ore. He has been on the YO Info editorial board since 2013.