2026 BASIC SCIENCE COURSE

The 2026 Basic Science Course is planned in the traditional in-person format over 3 weeks at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA, June 8th through June 26th, 2026. An example of a prior in-person BSC syllabus can be accessed.

BSC CONTENT:

In both the online and in-person formats, the ACVO Basic Science Course includes instruction in the core basic sciences of anatomy, embryology, genetics, physiology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, and pathology.  In addition, the course covers certain clinical and research topics less frequently encountered in a residency program including neuro-ophthalmology, retinoscopy, advanced imaging, phacodynamics and principles of microsurgery, and laboratory animal ophthalmology.  Instruction and content of the course is directed at the principal audience of ABVO and ECVO residents, is delivered entirely in English, and emphasizes the basic - not the clinical - sciences relevant to Comparative Ophthalmology.

The ACVO Basic Science Course is not a degree-, certificate-, or diploma-granting agency.  Likewise, it is not a stand-alone credential that should be used to suggest to the public that an attendee is more highly trained in veterinary ophthalmology than someone who has not attended the course. The course is not intended to introduce or train veterinarians in clinical skills of veterinary ophthalmology, and is in no way equivalent to residency training; rather it is supplemental to it.

BASIC SCIENCE COURSE OBJECTIVES:

  1. To further the understanding of basic scientific principles, pathophysiology of diseases, and principles and applications of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in veterinary and comparative ophthalmology

  2. To enhance patient care in the practice of veterinary ophthalmology

  3. To improve the ability to obtain funding, perform research and advance the science of comparative ophthalmology

  4. To build relationships and promote collegiality among comparative ophthalmologists and other vision scientists

  5. To encourage life-long learning in comparative ophthalmology

WHO MAY ATTEND?

Enrollment is open to individuals in ophthalmology residency training programs as well as graduate students in veterinary ophthalmology, university faculty teaching veterinary ophthalmology, international trainees in veterinary ophthalmology, and individuals with an interest in veterinary ophthalmology.

REVIEW A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BSC

Future Courses

Since 2022, the ACVO has offered the Basic Science Course annually in an alternating in-person and online format. Please note that this is still in the trial phase and may be changed.  It is expected that each of the course formats will appeal to different groups.  The online course typically provides 8 weeks’ access to recorded (asynchronous) lectures, and live (synchronous) discussions and image recognition rounds, as well as virtual social events. The in-person course is an intensive 3-week residential experience with opportunities for live interactions with the speakers, attendance at the retinoscopy and cytology labs, and live image recognition rounds, as well as in-person social events.

2024: Was offered in-person (see the syllabus here)

2025: Online event - May 9th, 2025 - July 7th, 2025

2026: In-person event from June 8th, 2026 – June 26, 2026 in Raleigh, NC

2027: Online event - May 17 - July 9

2028: In-person event in June 2028 in Raleigh, NC