Ophthalmology CESR Portfolio Guide
Complete guide to the Ophthalmology Portfolio Pathway: 7 Learning Outcomes, 9 evidence sections, and a 5-year currency window. Based on official GMC Specialty Specific Guidance, published by The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
SSG Version: 16 October 2024
Learning Outcomes
The Ophthalmology SSG defines 7 Learning Outcomes that Portfolio Pathway applicants must demonstrate competence in.
Patient Management
Patient Management is divided into twelve clinical SIAs. Applicants must evidence Level 3 in all SIAs and Level 4 in two SIAs.
- Demonstrate Levels 1 and 2 in general ophthalmology, Level 3 in all twelve SIAs, and Level 4 in two selected SIAs.
Health Promotion
Generic professional domain mapped to the GPC framework.
- Demonstrate current competence in health promotion through mapped evidence and Level 4 GSAT where relevant.
Leadership and Teamwork
Generic professional domain mapped to the GPC framework.
- Demonstrate leadership and teamwork through mapped evidence, reports, WPBA or reflective evidence.
Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
Generic professional domain mapped to the GPC framework.
- Demonstrate patient safety and quality improvement capability through audit, QI, reports or mapped WPBA evidence.
Safeguarding and Holistic Care
Generic professional domain mapped to the GPC framework.
- Demonstrate safeguarding and holistic patient care with mapped evidence and relevant reflection or supervisor support.
Education and Training
Generic professional domain mapped to the GPC framework.
- Demonstrate education, training, supervision and feedback activity.
Research and Scholarship
Generic professional domain mapped to the GPC framework.
- Demonstrate research, scholarship, critical appraisal or publication/presentation activity.
Evidence Requirements
The SSG specifies 9 evidence sections. Each section describes what evidence to provide and how to present it.
Cover note and evidence index
Application cover note and evidence index.
What evidence should show
The cover note should orient evaluators to the total numbers of evidence provided and where each item can be located, including which SIA it supports.
What to provide
- Cover note confirming total numbers of each evidence type
- Location of evidence and the SIA or learning outcome it supports
- Cross-reference notes for evidence used in more than one place
How to present
Provide the cover note at the start of the application. Do not submit the same evidence more than once; cross-reference it.
Training and qualifications
Training and qualification evidence.
What evidence should show
Evidence should show relevant training, primary medical qualification status, specialist qualifications and any evidence needed to demonstrate Ophthalmology knowledge to the required curriculum standard.
What to provide
- PMQ evidence where required by registration status
- Specialist medical qualification evidence
- FRCOphth evidence or alternative evidence demonstrating comparable knowledge
- Syllabus, standard setting, examiner and quality assurance details for alternative examinations where used
- Recent research, audit, quality improvement, publications, presentations or specialist qualifications where used as part of alternative knowledge evidence
How to present
If FRCOphth is not held, provide a detailed cross-referencing mapping exercise showing how each FRCOphth competency is covered.
Employment in posts and duties
Employment, job description, rota and appraisal evidence.
What evidence should show
Evidence should show post dates, title, grade, training status, whole time equivalent status, clinical and non-clinical duties, teaching/training involvement and recent ophthalmology activity.
What to provide
- Employment letters and job descriptions
- One file per institution with evidence in date order
- Samples of rotas demonstrating weekly clinical, non-clinical and on-call activity
- Appraisals since revalidation, or appraisals from the last five years if not engaged in revalidation
- Personal development plans where part of appraisal
How to present
Upload employment letters and job descriptions in one file per institution in date order. Use clear file names such as 'Evidence of employment in posts and duties - institution name'.
Workplace Based Assessments
WPBA, GSAT and MAR evidence.
What evidence should show
WPBAs should be primary, strong evidence of current competence. They should include meaningful assessor comments, feedback and guidance and show maintained skills across learning outcomes.
What to provide
- WPBAs such as OSATS, DOPS and CbD
- At least two WPBAs for each learning outcome as a general guide
- Four Level 4 GSATs covering the six non-SIA domains
- MAR where feedback is required by the clinical supervisor
- WPBA evidence from the last seven years, with approximately 80% from the last five years and at least one current item where paired with older evidence
How to present
Group and organise WPBAs by SIA and institution and provide an index. Generally avoid allocating more than three learning outcomes to a single WPBA.
Entrustable Professional Activities
EPA evidence for the Patient Management domain.
What evidence should show
EPA evidence should demonstrate integrated Patient Management competence across the curriculum levels and SIAs.
What to provide
- A minimum of 16 EPAs for the Patient Management domain
- One Level 1 EPA in general ophthalmology
- One Level 2 EPA in general ophthalmology
- Twelve Level 3 EPAs across all SIAs
- Two Level 4 EPAs in selected SIAs
How to present
Map each EPA to the relevant SIA and level. Where a competency has already been signed in one EPA, cross-reference rather than re-assessing it unnecessarily.
Logbooks and consolidation reports
Surgical, laser and SIA logbook evidence.
What evidence should show
Surgical and laser logbooks should demonstrate achievement and maintenance of learning outcomes across the OST curriculum and each SIA to the required level.
What to provide
- Surgical logbook
- Laser logbook
- Consolidation reports
- Cumulative surgical and laser data
- Evidence relating to each SIA at the required competency level
How to present
Group logbooks and consolidation reports by SIA and institution with clear labels, for example 'Hospital - Oculoplastics and Orbit Logbook - 20XX-20XX'. Remove all patient identifiers.
Reflective practice
Reflective practice evidence.
What evidence should show
Reflections should explain how activity contributed to knowledge, skills or professional behaviours, how behaviour may change, and what difference this makes to patient safety and quality.
What to provide
- Reflective pieces from within the last seven years
- Reflections linked to learning outcomes or SIAs
- Evidence of change in behaviour or practice where relevant
How to present
Spread reflective evidence across the application where it directly addresses relevant learning outcomes. Use a template that covers learning, behaviour change and patient safety impact.
Special Interest Area evidence
SIA-specific evidence for Patient Management.
What evidence should show
SIA evidence should show Level 3 competence in all twelve SIAs and Level 4 competence in two selected SIAs, with Level 1 and Level 2 evidence submitted only in the General Ophthalmology section.
What to provide
- Logbooks
- Consolidation reports
- EPA forms at Level 3 or Level 4 where the SIA is selected
- MAR
- CbDs
- CRS
- OSATS
- DOPS
- Evidence of ability to supervise, train and accredit or sign off trainees to Level 3 where required for Level 4 SIAs
How to present
Use the curriculum SIA requirements spreadsheet to map evidence to descriptors. Submit Level 1 and Level 2 evidence only in the General Ophthalmology section and avoid duplicate Level 3 evidence where Level 4 evidence covers the same element.
Structured reports
Referee and structured report evidence.
What evidence should show
Structured reports should support current competence across all or most areas of the curriculum and be provided by referees who understand specialist training and registration requirements in Ophthalmology.
What to provide
- At least three referees
- Consultant ophthalmologist or clinical supervisory referees
- Reports from referees with knowledge of current clinical practice
- Where possible, referees who have witnessed clinical activity or signed off evidence
How to present
Ensure referees are fully briefed on the curriculum and the areas of competence they are supporting.
Special Interest Areas
Knowledge Requirements
Primary Path
FRCOphth
Alternative Path
Detailed alternative evidence mapped to FRCOphth competencies
The SSG states FRCOphth is the test of knowledge in the Ophthalmology CCT curriculum. FRCSEd (Ophth) does not demonstrate comparable knowledge to FRCOphth. Alternative evidence is assessed case by case and must be extensive, objective, current and mapped in detail.
Referee Requirements
Referee Reports Required
Current clinical practice
- Consultant in Ophthalmology or someone in a clinical supervisory position such as Educational Supervisor or Clinical Supervisor
- Referees should preferably have witnessed clinical activity or signed off evidence
- Referees should understand the Ophthalmology curriculum and specialist registration requirements
Volume and Assessment Targets
The SSG specifies minimum volume and assessment targets for this specialty.
At least three referees are required.
structured_reports
A general guide is at least two WPBAs for each learning outcome.
WPBA per learning outcome
Four Level 4 GSATs should cover all six non-SIA domains.
GSAT
Applicants must complete a minimum of 16 EPAs for Patient Management: one Level 1, one Level 2, twelve Level 3 and two Level 4.
EPA
Level 3 is required in all twelve SIAs.
SIA Level 3
Level 4 is required in two selected SIAs.
SIA Level 4
In any particular area, a minimum of 80% of evidence should be from the last five years.
currency
Currency Window
Currency Window
Years
The majority of evidence is expected from the last five years of clinical practice, whole time equivalent. Evidence from the last seven years can be considered where skills have been maintained. In any particular area, a minimum of 80% of evidence should be from the last five years.
Additional Notes
During the transition period applicants can apply against either the 2024 curriculum or the previous 2016 curriculum until 31 July 2026.
This config treats the 2024 SSG as the primary current route and records the 2016 SSG as supporting source material during dual running.
The OST 2024 curriculum does not require specific procedure or WPBA numbers for surgery numbers; indicative numbers are guidance and evidence quality is emphasised.
Local terminal download of the current GMC PDF returned HTTP 403 in this environment, so the official PDF URL is recorded until the binary can be captured.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ophthalmology CESR portfolio?
How many framework units does Ophthalmology require?
What evidence is required for Ophthalmology specialist registration?
How long is the currency window for Ophthalmology?
Start Your Ophthalmology Portfolio
Map your evidence to the Ophthalmology framework, track readiness, and export your GMC submission.