PCO Fellowship Application Process
WHO CAN APPLY?
PCO Fellowship is open to all optometrists who meet either of the following criteria:
- Licensed to practice at the highest level permitted by law in their respective countries; or
- Educators, researchers, or scientists who have distinguished themselves through significant contributions to the advancement of local and/or worldwide optometry education, research, and visual science.
EARNING PCO FELLOWSHIP
There are three pathways through which an optometrist can earn Fellowship at the Philippine College of Optometrists. All candidates, regardless of track, must earn a total of 50 points.
- Clinical Fellowship Track — for optometrists in clinical practice
- Education Fellowship Track — for optometrists who teach and/or manage an optometric institution
- Research Fellowship Track — for optometrists conducting research in vision sciences with significant publishedmaterials in Optometry
Clinical Excellence (10 points)
The candidate demonstrates competence in performing the Comprehensive Eye Examination, which must include but is not limited to:
- Standardized vision examination with varying conditions depending on signs and symptoms
- Non-cycloplegic and cycloplegic refractions
- Pupil examination
- Basic binocular vision and ocular motility examinations; accommodation and convergence exams
- Slit lamp biomicroscopy
- Measurement of IOP
- TBUT, TM, Schirmer’s Test, and other tests as needed
- Ophthalmoscopy or other means of fundus visualization
- Visual field examination
- Keratometry and/or Corneal Topography
- Biometry and other technologies pertinent to patient’s case, like OCTClinical candidates must attend and complete the Comprehensive Eye Exam Training held yearly as Day 0 of the Annual Meeting, and demonstrate proficiency in all items listed above. If a candidate cannot earn these points at the time of application, the assigned Mentor will assist in obtaining the necessary qualification and training.
Leadership (10 Points)
The candidate earns 10 points by holding a top leadership position in a major organization for a minimum of one year and making a significant contribution to uplift the optometric profession. Proof of position plus an essay of not less than 500 words is required.
Published Materials / Conference Presentations (10 Points)
The candidate earns 10 points by:
- Publishing cases in Optometry or scientific studies in a peer-reviewed vision science journal as first or second author; or
- Giving a scientific lecture at PCO Annual Meetings or a major international optometric conference.
Accredited Residency, Fellowship or Optometry Graduate Degree (max. 30 Points)
The candidate earns up to 30 points upon submission of a Certificate of completion of an accredited Residency Program, Fellowship Program, or other Optometry graduate degree from a reputable practice or institution in a field of specialization.
Post-Graduate Education (10 Points)
The candidate earns 10 points upon completion of a Master’s Degree in Optometry or in Teaching Optometry, or a PhD Degree in Vision Science or Optometry Education from a reputable institution.
Required Written Work (30 POINTS)
For Deans:
- New Corporate Plan for the College of Optometry where the candidate serves as dean (30 points)
- Accomplishment of 30% of that new Plan upon submission of final requirements (10 points)
For Faculty Members:
- Personal Teaching Plan on how the candidate will increase knowledge, skills, and competencies in currently taught subjects (10 points)
- Accomplishment of 30% of that Plan upon final submission of requirements (10 points)
- Revised Subject Syllabi and teaching techniques for at least two major subjects (20 points)
Other Sources of 10 Points
Excellence in Optometry Education
The candidate earns 10 points by being recognized by at least two independent non-affiliated bodies as an excellent teacher, administrator, or dean.
Post-Graduate Education
The candidate earns 10 points upon completion of an accredited Master’s Degree in Optometry or Teaching Optometry, or a PhD Degree in Vision Science or Optometry Education from a reputable institution.
Published Materials/Conference Presentations
The candidate earns 10 points by publishing in a peer-reviewed vision science journal as first or second author, or by giving a scientific lecture at PCO Annual Meetings or major international optometric conferences.
Research Excellence (30 Points)
An optometry or vision researcher who has at least three published materials in international peer-reviewed journals, and is considered at the forefront of research in optometry or vision science, earns 30 points for this category. The candidate must be at least first or second author of all publications.
Post-Graduate Research Training
The candidate earns 10 points per degree upon completion of a Master’s Degree and/or PhD Degree in Optometry or Vision Science from a reputable institution.
Other Sources of 10 Points
Leadership
Top leadership position in a major organization for at least one year, with significant contribution to the optometric profession. Proof of position plus a 500-word essay is required.
Lectures in PCO or International Conferences
The candidate earns 10 points by giving a scientific lecture at PCO or any major international optometric conference.
STEPS IN EARNING FELLOWSHIP
1 Application
- Obtain an electronic copy of the application form from the PCO Secretariat.
- Complete and submit the Electronic Application Form via email to the PCO Secretariat.
- The application undergoes an Endorsement review, which requires a written endorsement from an existing PCOFellow.
- Upon successfully passing the Endorsement phase, the applicant receives an acceptance letter from the Admittance Committee. This letter marks the official start of the Fellowship Process.
- The applicant signs the hard copy of the application form and pays the Php 1,500 application fee, officially becoming a Fellow Candidate.
- The Admittance Committee assigns a Mentor who will guide the Candidate through the entire process.
2 Submission of Fellowship Plan and Qualifications
Each Candidate submits a Fellowship Plan detailing how they will complete the required 50 points. This includes proof of existing qualifications, and completion of required training before proceeding to written work.
3 Competency Requirements, Training and Evaluation
The Mentor guides the Candidate through the track-specific Competency Checklist:
Clinical Track
- The Mentor guides the Candidate through the Comprehensive Eye Examination of the patient/case, literature review (prevalence/incidence, risk factors, etiology, diagnostic procedures, management, and therapeutic options).
- The Mentor administers a Clinical Practical Evaluation to determine competency in: performing the Comprehensive Eye Exam, using DPA in an actual clinical setting, analyzing and managing the patient/case, and monitoring the conclusion of the case.
Education Track
- The Mentor guides the Candidate in preparing the College Plan (for deans) or Personal Teaching Plan (for faculty members), oriented toward cutting-edge optometry education.
- The Mentor administers an Education Practical Evaluation to determine: ability to plan, execute, and lead (for deans); and competency to revise syllabi and devise creative education strategies (for faculty members).
Research Track
- The Mentor guides the Candidate in preparing the Research Plan/Project and in developing the ability to publish results.
- The Mentor administers a Research Practical Evaluation to determine adherence to Research Ethical Guidelines and competency in planning, executing, and writing a research project.
4 Written Work
- The Mentor guides the Candidate in the selection of materials and in the writing of the required written work.
- The Candidate submits the papers to the Mentor, who serves as the primary critic. The Mentor then forwards the papers to Evaluators assigned by the Admittance Committee.
- The Admittance Committee reviews and approves all written works step-by-step, starting with the first submission.
- Once the Admittance Committee approves all qualifications and written work, these are submitted to the Certifying Board, which makes the final assessment to determine readiness for the Oral Examination.
5 Oral Examination
The Candidate who has fulfilled all track requirements and whose written and completed papers have been accepted by the Certifying Board will be scheduled for an Oral Examination, usually held the day before the PCO Annual Meeting. Upon passing the Oral Examination, the Certifying Board will inform the Candidate of their qualification to become a Fellow of the PCO.
6 Acceptance and Certification As Fellow
Upon acceptance by the Certifying Board, the Candidate signs a written document signifying agreement to comply with all Rules and Regulations governing PCO Fellows. The Board will then confer the title Fellow of the Philippine College of Optometrists and authorize use of the designation FPCO.
The Candidate has five (5) years to complete the entire Fellowship process. A new application is required if the candidate wishes to continue beyond five years.
7 Maintainance of Fellowship
All PCO Fellows must maintain their Fellowship status by accumulating 50 points within every 3-year period:
All PCO Fellows are expected to comply with all Rules and Regulations of PCO. Non-compliance with any rule will result in the Fellow’s inability to maintain PCO Fellowship.
A PCO Fellow who fails to maintain Fellowship status will lose the right to use the FPCO title. Reinstatement is available through a formal re-application process.
Exemption From Maintenance Requirements
- Emeritus Fellows of the PCO — Officers of the Board of Trustees who reached 65 years of age and served 6 or more years as officers.
- Fellows with Outstanding Service to PCO — Committee Chairs and members of the Board of Directors who served PCO for 10 or more years.
NOTE FOR NEWLY REGISTERED OPTOMETRISTS
Newly registered optometrists may apply for PCO Fellowship and may proceed with the process immediately upon passing the Endorsement phase. However, the requirement for Clinical Competency can be evaluated and completed only after the Candidate has accumulated at least one year of clinical experience.
This document is a combined and updated edition integrating the PCO Fellowship Process (May 2018) and the Guide for Applicants (Rev. May 2017). For the most current fees, forms, and contact information, please contact the PCO Secretariat.
how to become a Fellow
Becoming a Fellow of the Philippine College of Optometrists (FPCO) is a mark of excellence and professional distinction in the field of optometry.
This prestigious recognition is awarded to members who have demonstrated advanced competence, commitment to ethical practice, and significant contributions to the profession.
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