The Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP): a personal view

This essay relates the historic process that led to the development of the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP) as an established component of ophthalmic training in the U.S.A. Begun in the early 1960s as an evaluative examination for residents at the University of Florida, the first national OKAP examination took place in May 1968, with over 85% of all eye training programs participating. It was later incorporated into the Continuing Education program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, where it prospered. Beginning January 1980 the OKAP was combined with American Board of Ophthalmology exam, thus establishing a single, unified national exam.