Ophthalmology remains one of the most competitive specialties of 2026, which means every point in your evidence folder matters. The largest and most influential section is the ‘Ophthalmology specialty links and commitment to date as a career’, worth an impressive 13 points, making up over a quarter of the entire portfolio [1]. Despite the annual portfolio changes, two discretionary points have consistently been available in this section.
For the 2026 cycle, applicants could earn one point per piece of evidence, not including sitting the Duke-Elder, logbook of surgical cases or workplace-based assessments (WBAs) [1]. With no formal guidance on what qualifies, applicants are often left guessing how to secure these valuable discretionary points, which can be worth as much as a PG Cert. Based on personal discussions with several successful applicants, the five methods below have been successfully used to gain discretionary points.
"It’s important to keep in mind that although many of these methods have previously earned points, the portfolio changes every year"
1. Complete eLearning modules
One of the most convenient ways to earn discretionary points is through online eLearning modules. Many platforms offer hours of free ophthalmology modules that can be completed at your own pace. These typically score 0.5–1 point, so it’s worth completing a couple. The following is a list of websites that previous applicants have used:
- Cybersight:
cybersight.org - RNIB:
www.rnib.org.uk - Eye-Site:
https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/
Component/Details/391669 - Ophthalmic epidemiology course (LSHTM):
https://open.lshtm.ac.uk/
course/view.php?id=19 (currently unavailable, but may re-open) - Haag-Streit Academy:
https://uk.haag-streit.com/education/
categories/elearning - Santen Eyecare Education:
https://santensee.eu - Scope Education Hub:
https://education.scope-connect.com
Note: Some RNIB courses require an access code from your local Eye Care Liaison Officer, usually based in your local ophthalmology department.
2. Attend ophthalmology courses
Attending relevant in-person courses has helped previous applicants secure discretionary points. There are many courses open to non-trainees that run throughout the year. Examples include:
- FOCUS (Edinburgh): This is a two-day course for aspiring ophthalmologists, typically held in November.
- Introduction to ophthalmic surgery: This is a one-day course hosted by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. They also run other courses throughout the year, so it’s always a good idea to check.
- Moorfields courses: Moorfields offer a wide range of courses throughout the year, some of which are available to non-trainees. These are advertised on their website.
- The Royal Society of Medicine runs numerous ophthalmology meetings both in person and online throughout the year.
The courses often sell out quickly, so checking regularly is advised. These courses can be expensive, and while helpful, they are not essential for achieving the discretionary points. I’d advise considering these courses if you are interested in them rather than just a means to achieve the points.
3. Attend regular departmental meetings
Regular departmental meetings demonstrate strong commitment to the specialty. Examples of meetings include:
- MDT meetings
- Morbidity and mortality meetings
- Departmental teaching sessions
- Departmental clinical governance meetings
- Departmental quality improvement meetings.
There is no set guidance on the length of time you should attend these meetings for, but points have previously awarded for attending one meeting per month for three months.
4. Do more than the minimum in the existing portfolio sections
Several portfolio domains cap the points available, but exceeding the minimum requirements can lead to discretionary points. Examples include:
- Attending >20 clinics and theatre sessions over three months
- Organising a taster week, even if you already have a foundation year rotation in ophthalmology
- Submitting multiple non-peer reviewed articles or case reports
- Spending additional hours on EyeSi, including completing CAT-A, B and C
- Attending extra conferences or meetings
- Partaking in further ophthalmology-related teaching
- Additional ophthalmology publications, including as a non-first author.
It’s hard to know exactly how much is ‘enough’, but my rule of thumb is to double the minimum (e.g. attend at least 20 clinics and theatres compared to the minimum of 10).
5. Take on ophthalmology-related volunteering roles
Volunteering has previously secured discretionary points. Opportunities include:
- Moorfields Eye Charity: https://moorfieldseyecharity.org.uk/support-us/volunteer
- Opportunities abroad can also be sought out by speaking with supervisors, looking online or reaching out to the London School of Health and Tropical Medicine
- Check your local department if there are any volunteering roles available for clinical work or teaching.
Bones hint: Reflect on your evidence
Reflecting on your evidence is crucial in explaining to the assessor why your submitted evidence should be considered for discretionary points. A brief paragraph outlining the evidence you have submitted, for example, attending the introduction to ophthalmic surgery course, alongside what you learnt from the experience and how it will inform your future practice, can provide valuable context for your evidence. It also demonstrates good reflective practice, which is an essential aspect of professional practice in accordance with General Medical Council (GMC) guidance [2]. The GMC website highlights good practice in writing a reflection.
Conclusion
There are many ways to gain the discretionary points available. Write a reflection alongside your evidence highlighting what exactly you gained from your experience. This can help guide the assessors on scoring. As with most of the portfolio evidence, obtaining a supervisor letter confirming your attendance or involvement in certain activities such as meetings or volunteering is highly beneficial.
It’s important to keep in mind that although many of these methods have previously earned points, the portfolio changes every year. Some past applicants have received 0.5 points for certain activities, but with the updated ‘1 point per piece of evidence’ system, it’s unclear whether 0.5 points can still be awarded, and if not, whether this changes how much you are expected to do. For that reason, it’s wise to complete multiple activities to maximise your chance of securing the full two discretionary points.
Reference
1. https://medical.hee.nhs.uk/medical-training
-recruitment/medical-specialty-training/person
-specifications/person-specifications
-2026/ophthalmology-st1-2026
2. www.gmc-uk.org/education/standards-guidance
-and-curricula/guidance/reflective-practice/
the-reflective-practitioner---
guidance-for-doctors-and-medical-students
3. www.gmc-uk.org/education/standards-guidance
-and-curricula/guidance/reflective-practice/
the-reflective-practitioner---
guidance-for-doctors-and-medical-students.
[All links last accessed September 2026]
Declaration of competing interests: None declared.
