Skip to main content
  • Resident Edition Residents Education

    OKAPs Reading Schedule

    Add to My Bookmarks

    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!

    ___________________________

    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.

    * * *


    Brian Chan-Kai, MDAbout 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.