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FAICO Exam Preparation

Fellowship of All India Ophthalmological Society. Syllabus-mapped MCQ bank, handwritten notes and past paper patterns to help you pass on the first attempt.

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FAICO Exam Overview

Format, duration and pass criteria broken down per part.

FAICO Theory

Format
MCQ + essay
Duration
Full day
Pass mark
50% per section

Sub-specialty depth in chosen fellowship area

FAICO Viva

Format
Oral + clinical
Duration
30–45 min
Pass mark
Examiner panel

Case discussion, imaging, surgical decision-making

Log Book + Thesis

Format
Submitted in advance
Duration
N/A
Pass mark
Approval

Documented cases and academic submission

FAICO High-Yield Syllabus Topics

The topics that pull the most marks. Drill these first.

Cataract & IOL

  • Phaco fluidics and complications
  • Toric and multifocal IOL selection
  • Complicated cataract surgery
  • Posterior capsular rupture management

Glaucoma sub-specialty

  • MIGS techniques and patient selection
  • Trabeculectomy refinements
  • Tube shunt surgery
  • Childhood glaucoma management

Retina sub-specialty

  • Anti-VEGF protocols and switching
  • RD surgery: SB vs vitrectomy
  • Macular hole staging and surgery
  • OCT and OCTA interpretation

Cornea & Refractive

  • Keratoplasty: PK, DSAEK, DMEK
  • Keratoconus management ladder
  • Refractive surgery patient selection
  • Ocular surface tumour management
Browse all ophthalmology topics

Matched products for FAICO

Our most-used resources for this exam, hand-picked from the OphthaMCQ catalog.

Syllabus-Mapped

FAICO MCQs

FAICO exam MCQs mapped topic-by-topic to the exact syllabus.

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Essential

High Yield MCQs

1,000+ high-yield MCQs across all subspecialties with detailed explanations.

₹399 ₹899
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Most Popular

Retina Deciphered

150+ pages of handwritten exam-ready notes covering the entire retina syllabus.

₹549 ₹899
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Glaucoma Exam Ready Notes

Complete glaucoma notes from pathophysiology to surgical management.

₹369 ₹699
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Eyelids Exam Ready Notes

Oculoplastics and eyelid disorders for your PG and fellowship exams.

₹249 ₹429
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Suggested study plan and timeline

A phased plan used by recent passers. Adjust to your own runway.

  1. 1

    Syllabus and log book

    Months 1–2

    Lock in your fellowship case log. Read the FAICO blueprint cover-to-cover.

  2. 2

    Sub-specialty deep dive

    Months 3–6

    Topic-by-topic theory + MCQ blocks. Build viva cases from your own clinics.

  3. 3

    MCQ marathon

    Months 7–9

    Daily 50 syllabus-mapped FAICO MCQs. Past paper-style essays weekly.

  4. 4

    Viva drilling

    Final 6 weeks

    Mock vivas with seniors. Imaging file reviews. Surgical video discussions.

Common pitfalls

  • !
    Treating FAICO as a generalist exam — it rewards sub-specialty depth
  • !
    Neglecting the viva; theory clears it, viva fails it for many candidates
  • !
    Submitting an unpolished log book — examiners read it before they meet you
  • !
    Skipping recent guideline updates (PPP, ESCRS, EuRetina) that show up in MCQs

Pro tips from recent passers

  • Build a portfolio of 20–30 of your own clinic cases with images for viva use
  • Rehearse explaining OCT and FFA findings in 60 seconds per image
  • Match your essay style to AIOS published model answers — bullet structure scores higher
  • Use senior colleagues who passed in the last 2 years for mock vivas

Recommended textbooks and references

The references the exam is actually written from.

Kanski Clinical Ophthalmology

Baseline reference still relevant for the theory paper.

Ryan — Retina

Mandatory for retina sub-specialty candidates.

Shields — Textbook of Glaucoma

Glaucoma sub-specialty depth.

Cornea (Krachmer)

Cornea fellowship reference.

AIOS published guidelines

Examiners draw MCQs from current AIOS PPPs.

Past papers and question patterns

FAICO past papers are circulated informally. We have curated essay patterns and MCQ recall from the last 5 years into our FAICO MCQ bank, organised by sub-specialty.

From doctors who passed FAICO

"Topic-wise MCQs mapped exactly to the FAICO syllabus. Could not have passed without them."
Dr. Ritu Sharma
FAICO, Aravind Eye Hospital

FAICO FAQ

Answers to the questions residents actually ask.

Who is eligible for FAICO?
Candidates with MS Ophthalmology or DNB plus the required sub-specialty fellowship experience documented in a verified log book.
How is FAICO scored?
Theory and viva are scored separately. You must pass both; a strong theory cannot rescue a weak viva.
What is the FAICO pass rate?
Pass rates vary by sub-specialty but historically sit between 55–70% for well-prepared candidates.
How does FAICO differ from a university fellowship?
FAICO is an AIOS-awarded national fellowship recognised across India. It is examination-based whereas many university fellowships are training-based.
Can I prepare for FAICO while working full-time?
Yes. Most candidates prepare during their fellowship year using 12–15 hours per week of structured study.
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