Fellowship Exam

Exclusively available to IACLE members, the IACLE Fellowship Exam is the only internationally recognized means of measuring an eye care professional’s contact lens knowledge

The Fellowship Exam will take place on Wednesday 22 November 2023, virtually via IACLETOP in English, Chinese, Spanish, Korean and Bahasa

IACLE members request to register for the exam via this web page in IACLETOP:
https://iacle.instructure.com/courses/324/pages/fellowship-exam

Registration closes 30 June 2023.

After you have requested to register for the exam:
Your IACLE representative will be in contact to confirm the receipt of your registration and will send an invoice for the payment of the exam. The fee for the IACLE Fellowship Exam is the same cost as your membership. For example, if your membership fee is $100, the exam fee will also be $100.
Please pay the invoice promptly to confirm your registration in the exam.

Existing FIACLEs can also sit the Fellowship Exam – free of charge – to refresh their knowledge and keep abreast of the latest contact lens developments.

View this video from Fellow of IACLE (FIACLE) Byki Huntjens, City University, London, UK

View this video (Spanish) from Fellow of IACLE (FIACLE) Dr Ricardo Pintor, a recipient of the ‘Acknowledgement of Fellowship Excellence’ IACLE certificate

See more video testimonies in a mix of languages further down

2023 Fellowship Exam date

22 November 2023

About the Exam

The Fellowship Exam is the only internationally recognized means of measuring an eye care professional’s contact lens knowledge. There is no other means like it, which assesses their level of knowledge by identifying their strengths and weaknesses concerning all areas of contact lenses.

What is the outcome of this exam?

A successful outcome to the exam qualifies the member to become a Fellow of IACLE (FIACLE). Obtaining the FIACLE title is a great achievement and is associated with a reputation that defines an educator or eye care professional as a leading expert in their profession.

As the exam is diagnostic in nature, there is no ‘failure’ and educators may sit for the exam as many times as they wish.

Who can take this exam?

The exam is exclusively available to members of IACLE.

Exam format

The exam consists of 153 multiple-choice questions, including questions that require you to recognize or identify a certain type of lens fit or eye condition through case-based questions, by viewing a color photograph.

Language formats available

English
Simplified Chinese
Spanish
Korean
Bahasa

Other language formats can be arranged when 12 or more members are confirmed.

How is the exam conducted?

Online via IACLE’s Teaching Online Platform IACLETOP.

Exam results

Each exam candidate is provided with a confidential report of their results.

The report indicates where a satisfactory level of knowledge has been achieved and where knowledge may be lacking. Further advice is provided by IACLE upon request however, please note we do not provide exam candidates with a copy of the exam due to confidential purposes. By providing the total score per category this is sufficient for an educator to identify their strengths and weakness.

Receiving your results can take up to 2 months after the exam date as we carry out an in-depth analysis of the results to obtain global averages.

How to prepare for the exam

Distance Learning Program

Our Distance Learning Program (DLP) is a series of assessments designed to guide members through the IACLE Contact Lens Course, module by module, and was specifically designed to help members prepare for the Fellowship Exam. An updated version – DLP2023 – goes live in April and will be available in English, Chinese, Korean and Spanish.

Fellowship Exam Area

The Fellowship Exam Area is a space within IACLETOP dedicated to those sitting the Fellowship Exam, allowing members to join study groups, understand different methods of assessment, sit mock exams, and chat with other members who are also taking the exam. The Fellowship Exam Area launches in May.

Monthly Workshops

From May, the Education Team will host monthly workshops to help members prepare for the exam and answer any questions or concerns you may have. The monthly workshops begin in May.

How to register for the exam

IACLE members need to complete a request to register form via this page in IACLETOP:
https://iacle.instructure.com/courses/324/pages/fellowship-exam

Once you have submitted the form, soon after you will be contacted and provided with the exam invoice to pay by 30 June 2023.

Exam cost

The cost is the same amount as a member’s annual membership. For example, if you pay US$30 per year for membership, if you wish to write the Exam you would also pay another US$30, so a total of $60.

NOTE: we do not provide refunds. We urge members to assign enough time to prepare for the exam. We cannot refund or transfer a payment to cover a future exam administration or membership renewal fee.

Acknowledgement of Fellowship Excellence

Fellows who have successfully completed the exam more than three times are eligible for the ‘Acknowledgement of Fellowship Excellence’ certificate. Receiving this certificate so far are the following FIACLEs, all from the Latin America region:

• Daniela Garese (Uruguay)
• Orlando Neira (Colombia)
• Ricardo Pintor (Mexico)
• Robin Rodriguez (Peru)
• Rolando Rojas (Peru)
• Ruben Velazquez (Mexico)

Testimonies from our FIACLEs

View this video from Fellow of IACLE (FIACLE) Fakhruddin Barodawala, SEGi University, Malaysia

“The exam covered all aspects of contact lenses and was a good test of our theoretical knowledge. And we could easily apply that knowledge in practice due to the case analysis element. I’d completed the IACLE distance learning program before taking the exam with the guidance of IACLE’s Shanghai office. It makes me more confident in contact lens teaching and fitting.“
Jian Qin, Henan Institute of Ophthalmology, China

“I didn’t take the exam for career development but to make sure I was teaching students the most up-to-date information. The preparation for the exam forced me to revisit more challenging areas, such as immunology.”
Andrew Elder Smith, University of Bradford, University of Manchester and Doncaster Royal Infirmary, UK

“I think the FIACLE Exam is very useful for educators to not just evaluate but to update their knowledge and to come together with CL educators across the world. It is a very comprehensive exam with a user friendly format. I would specially like to mention the last section of the exam related to case studies – this section based on practical knowledge was very interesting and helped to reinforce my knowledge about CL complications and their management. I will be willing to take the exam every two years in order to revise and brush up my knowledge.”
Gauri Kunjeer Patel, Nagar School of Optometry, India

“In the academic field there are numerous ways to ‘upgrade’ yourself professionally (MSc, PhD etc). However, in the field of contact lens teaching there is no such standard or classification. Therefore, I was very excited about the FIACLE accreditation exam. For me as a young teacher, it proved that I was on a level that I hoped I would be among peers. It gave me self confidence to proceed and to excel. Also, within our school, with many other faculties under one roof, the international recognition was viewed upon with respect. I have not regret a single minute of doing it, and use the FIACLE title wherever I can”.
Eef van der Worp, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands

“In my professional career it has brought distinction, self-esteem and growth not only goodwill but also options for additional income on an international scope.“
Orlando Neira, Fundacion Universitaria del Area Andina-Pereira, Colombia

“To achieve the title of FIACLE was always a dream for me as soon as I started teaching contact lenses. I realized while teaching the IACLE resources are a must for imparting any education on contact lenses. When I received the title of FIACLE, it was my dream come true! The accreditation exam was a real excitement as I studied a lot of things in detail which I had not taken seriously when I was a student. I really feel proud of being a part of this association where I share my name with other eminent professionals in the field of contact lens & optometry as a whole. I will try harder to behold the title forever.“
Runa Talukdar, Vidyasagar College of Optometry & Vision Sciences, India

“FIACLE status is important to give credibility to me as an evidence-based clinical contact lens practice educator. It also inspires up and coming educators as to the standard of education they should aspire to and to indicate the level of support they will receive. It has also allowed me to be instrumental in worldwide contact lens education to give something back for all the support and encouragement I have received.“
James Wolffsohn, Aston University, UK

“Without a doubt it has been a springboard to catapult to another level, because my colleagues and the industry recognise the dedication that I have undertaken in recent years. FIACLE status is not the goal of every educator, but the official beginning to the path of professional growth.“
Richardo Pintor, Johnson & Johnson, Mexico