Stellenbosch University
Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology
The Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology in Health Professions is offered by Stellenbosch University.
Program Length: 4 YEARS.
Master of Medicine in Ophthalmology offered by the Stellenbosch University at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
During the first 24 months the focus of the programme will be on the mastery of the basic subjects forming the foundation of the specialty, i.e. head and neck anatomy, ophthalmic and applied general physiology, optics and pathology. Mastery of the advanced theory and its application to ophthalmology, as well as a comprehensive and specialised knowledge of general ophthalmology, advanced technical and procedural skills, familiarity with the literature and state of research on the subject of the specialty, will be the focus of the following 24 months of training. During the final year of study you must demonstrate a capacity for independent study and research by completing a research report or publication on a research topic of your choice in ophthalmology.
Programme content
First and second year
Part I (Primary)
All modules are compulsory. Full accreditation will be granted for these modules if you successfully complete the Part I (A and B) examinations of the College of Ophthalmologists of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa.
Optics (40)
Anatomy (40)
Physiology for Ophthalmology (40)
Pathology for Opthalmology (40)
Third and fourth year
Part II (Final)
Full accreditation will be granted for the Clinical Ophthalmology module if you successfully complete the Part II examination of the College of Ophthalmologists of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa.
Clinical Ophthalmology (200)
Research Assignment (120)
Assessment and examination
- The HPCSA requires that you successfully complete the single national exit examination of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa to register as a specialist.
- The Division of Ophthalmology accepts the Part I (A and B) and the Part II examinations of the College of Ophthalmologists as equivalent to and in place of the MMed (Ophth) examination.
- The HPCSA also requires the head of the discipline to confirm the following:
- successful completion of clinical training time;
- completion of portfolio of learning;
- successful completion of the research assignment according to the regulations of the University; and
- successful completion of flexible assessment.
- The final mark for the MMed degree is a composite mark of the result of the final examination of the College of Ophthalmologists and the mark for the research assignment in a ratio of 75:25.
- You must pass all four Part I modules within 24 months of first registration as a registrar in Ophthalmology.
- If you do not meet this requirement, you will be unable to continue with the MMed (Ophth) programme and you must vacate the registrar training post.
- Continuation of the programme and the registrar appointment may be considered by the postgraduate programme committee of the Division only in exceptional circumstances and on submission of an applicable motivation.
- As a registrar you may attempt the Part II examination for the first time after having completed a minimum of 36 months of residency in a registrar post.
- But the registrar post must be vacated after 48 months.
- In exceptional cases and on submission of an applicable motivation, the postgraduate programme committee of the Division may consider an extension of a maximum training period of 12 months. You must successfully complete the final examination within these 12 months, or you will be excluded from the MMed (Ophth) programme.
