Digital revision for the FRCOphth Part 1 has never been more crowded, or more confusing. Alongside well-established favourites like EyeDocs and eFRCOphth, newer platforms such as Eye Academy are rapidly gaining attention, promising the edge needed to pass. Like many candidates, I found myself navigating a sea of conflicting recommendations, unsure whether to rely on trusted time-tested resources or invest in newer, supposedly more up-to-date question banks.
In this article, I will explore my experience using a combination of Eye Academy, EyeDocs and eFRCOphth, comparing their strengths and limitations to help guide future candidates.
Eye Academy
Eye Academy is the newest of the question banks I used, and consequently there is still limited feedback available from candidates online [1].
I began using Eye Academy early in my preparation, and its greatest strength quickly became apparent: the clarity and accessibility of its questions. They are well written and focused, allowing you to concentrate on the underlying concepts. The explanations are particularly strong, outlining why the correct answer is right, but also clearly addressing why the alternatives are incorrect. I also found the use of mnemonics, images and linked resources (including YouTube videos) especially helpful for reinforcing knowledge and supporting further exploration of topics. The question selection felt high-yield and relevant, and the interface is clean, modern and easy to navigate.
However, there are some limitations to be aware of. I personally found the overall difficulty level is slightly lower than other question banks and the real exam, making it an excellent starting point but less effective as a sole resource for final preparation. The question bank is also relatively small (around 500 questions, though expanding), which limits repeated practice. In addition, some functionality is still developing. There is currently no option to bookmark or ‘star’ questions, and content cannot be easily reviewed outside of the question format. While the explanations are excellent, they are only accessible within individual questions, with no standalone library of notes or topic summaries (in contrast to resources such as eFRCOphth).
EyeDocs
EyeDocs’ EyeQ platform remains a well-established and widely used resource for FRCOphth Part 1 and for good reason [2]. Its greatest strength is the sheer volume of questions, with over 2000 available. This breadth significantly increases the likelihood of encountering the more obscure areas of the syllabus that can often appear in the exam.
The explanations are generally reliable, and the ability to track performance and benchmark against peers adds a useful motivational element to revision. While the interface feels less modern compared to newer platforms like Eye Academy, and some questions reflect an older style, its depth and comprehensive coverage make it a core resource for many trainees. For most candidates, EyeQ forms the backbone of their revision.
eFRCophth
eFRCOphth is the most budget-friendly of the three question banks discussed [3]. The questions tend to be more straightforward and fact-based, which can be helpful in the early stages of revision or when reinforcing core knowledge. The interface is relatively basic, and the explanations are not as detailed or comprehensive, often not providing explanations pertaining to the specific question, but rather information on the topic as a whole.
That said, one of its standout features is the accompanying textbook-style content, which provide a useful reference for consolidating knowledge. While it may not be sufficient as a standalone resource, it works well as a supplementary tool for repetition and recall.
A free daily boost: Eyedle
I want to highlight a free resource that I’ve found very helpful in my revision. Eyedle is a website which provides six new ophthalmology questions every day, all with excellent explanations, which often link to useful external resources [4]. It’s not a full question bank, but it’s perfect for staying consistent in the weeks or months leading up to an exam. On days when I didn’t manage any other revision, those six questions still felt like meaningful progress.
Summary
Ultimately, no single resource is likely to suit every stage of FRCOphth Part 1 preparation. Eye Academy is an excellent early learning tool, with clear explanations, high-yield questions and a modern interface. EyeDocs remains the strongest option for comprehensive coverage and exam-style practice, particularly later in revision, while eFRCOphth offers an affordable way to reinforce core facts and access textbook-style reference material. Using these resources together helped me to benefit from the strengths of each question bank and comprehensively cover the material and question styles, an approach that may help future candidates prepare with confidence.
References
1. https://eye.academy/
2. https://www.eyedocs.co.uk/eyeq.html
3. https://www.efrcophth.com/
4. https://eyedle.app/
[All links last accessed August 2026]
Declaration of competing interests: None declared.
