Internationally Graduated Optometrist Evaluating Examination (IGOEE)

Touchstone Institute administers the Internationally Graduated Optometrist Evaluating Examination (IGOEE). The exam tests the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of internationally graduated optometrists (IGOs) as compared to a recent graduate of a Canadian optometric program.

The IGOEE is administered at Touchstone Institute (145 Wellington St. W. 8th Floor, Toronto ON, M5J 1H8).

Registration

Registration for the IGOEE is available only to candidates who have received the following:

1. Referral from FORAC
2. Email confirmation from Touchstone Institute including registration instructions

Registration for the 2019 IGOEE will open on Monday, January 21, 2019.

Dates

The 2019 IGOEE will take place over 3 days from July 18 - July 21, 2019. Please refer to the chart below for the 2019 IGOEE exam dates and details:
 

Date	Exam Details
July 18, 2019	TPAO & Open House (Equipment Viewing)
July 19, 2019	Short Case Stations and MCQ
July 20 & 21*, 2019	Long Case Stations

*An IGOEE candidate may be scheduled on either July 20 or July 21 to complete the Long Case Stations.

Fees

The IGOEE registration fee is CAD 5000.

TPAO Implementation (2019)

Important Notice to 2019 Prospective IGOEE candidates: The Internationally Graduated Optometrist Evaluating Examination (IGOEE) provides an overall assessment of entry-to-practice competencies, and is used to determine readiness to challenge the Canadian optometry licensing exam as well as guide placement for bridging education. As the scope of optometry practice in Canada has increased, a need has evolved to assess appropriate drug prescribing for the treatment of eye conditions, known as “therapeutics”.
 
The Therapeutics Prescribing Assessment for Optometry (TPAO) has been developed to assess appropriate drug prescribing competencies in conjunction with the existing IGOEE. 

IGOEE Exam details

All of our assessments are designed to standardize as many exam elements as possible. Depending on candidate registration numbers and facility parameters, exam format may vary in administration. Our commitment is to ensure that all candidates are given a fair and valid assessment experience.

The IGOEE consists of a balanced integration of four components:

1. Written Therapeutics Prescribing Assessment for Optometry (TPAO) test
2. Written (MCQ) test
3. Nine-station short-case OSCE
4. Three-station long-case OSCE

The assessment is spread over three days, with the TPAO test and the open house equipment viewing on day 1. The MCQ and short-case OSCE will be conducted on day 2 and the long-case OSCE on day 3. The blueprint for the IGOEE is consistent with the Optometry Examining Board of Canada's National Competency Profile for Entry-Level Optometry (2015). 

An updated Participant Guide including more in-depth exam details will be made available online in the near future.

TPAO component 

The Therapeutics Prescribing Assessment for Optometry (TPAO) test is a MCQ exam that consists of up to 98 multiple choice questions.

Questions in the TPAO component of the exam may cover the following areas:

• Assessment/diagnosis
• Interpretation of test results (lab/diagnostic imaging)
• Management (may include treatment referral if relevant)
• Mechanism of action/onset/duration of effect
• Side effects/drug interactions
• Management of side effects
• Monitoring, follow up, extensions

Written component (MCQ)

The written portion of the optometry exam consists of up to 150 multiple choice questions, based on scripted patient scenarios with accompanying photographs. This section assesses the candidate’s level of competency with respect to their understanding, application and analysis of optometric knowledge relevant to patient situations.

Questions in the written component of the exam may cover the following areas:

• Patient assessment and diagnosis – especially relating to glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetes, hypertension, vascular diseases and other causes of visual impediments, including refractive error and binocular vision anomalies
• Vision therapies – eyeglasses, contact lenses, low-vision therapies, binocular vision therapies and per-surgical care
• Drug therapies – especially those currently authorized to optometrists in Ontario
• Prevention of visual disability, morbidity and mortality
• Pediatrics
• Geriatrics
• Collaborative care

OSCE

The OSCE portion of the exam consists of 12 standardized, simulated patient scenarios of 15- or 30-minute duration. In several of these stations, physical eye examinations of the patient may be required, using the equipment provided.

Specialized clinical skills that may be tested include:

• Dilated fundus exam
• Binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy
• Contact tonometry
• Gonioscopy with fundus lenses

The patient encounter is followed by a structured oral interview during which the examiner may ask up to 10 questions about the presenting case and may present visual photographs or data for interpretation. During this time, the candidate will no longer engage with the standardized patient.

Cases reflect patient demographics and typical practice presentations most relevant to the aspects of current optometric practice, as identified and reviewed by our subject matter experts drawn from the faculty at optometry and medical schools and optometric practices.

This section assesses the candidate’s level of competency with respect to clinical skills, professional behaviour, attitude and values, as well as communication, collaboration, physical and psychomotor skills.

The OSCE component of the exam may cover the following areas:

• Refractive errors with presbyopia
• Binocular vision
• Cataract
• Glaucoma or glaucoma suspects
• Macular disease
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Vitreo-retinal disease
• Anterior segment disease

Stations in the OSCE are generally equipped with a blood pressure cuff, ophthalmoscope, retinoscope, hand sanitizer and other optometric equipment and props related to the scenario. 

 

What to bring to the exam

All required equipment will be provided. Candidates may dress in professional attire, but will not be scored on their dress.
 

Items not allowed in the exam

Candidates should leave personal belongings at home, if possible, as many items are not permitted during the exam and storage space is limited. The following items are not allowed during the exam:

• Cell phone, pager, media player or laptop
• Electronic devices for internet access, reference or recording purposes
• Pens, pencils or pen lights
• Paper, books or notebooks
• Bags or briefcases

Results

Results from the IGOEE take up to eight weeks to process and are sent directly to the referring regulator for distribution. Please note: Touchstone Institute does not distribute score reports directly to candidates.