FAQ
The WCRS has no competition as the only global organization to offer credentialing in Refractive Surgery. The WCRS will be the most trusted resource for establishing a standard for qualifications and quality of care in our specialty with recognition by our peers in the medical profession and trust in the eyes of our patients. Below are answers to our most frequently asked questions.
What is the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences (WCRS)?
The WCRS is the official Specialty Board for Refractive Surgery. It will provide credentialing (certification & accreditation) in Refractive Surgery.
Why is the WCRS an international global Specialty Board?
Refractive Surgery as a specialty represents a very small minority of the world’s 280,000 ophthalmologists. Education, training, clinical and surgical practice, teaching and research in Refractive Surgery has developed into a collaborative international initiative and the WCRS is representative of that world view.
Is the WCRS a teaching organization or does it compete with any existing ophthalmic societies, academies or programs?
No. The WCRS is not competitive with any teaching organizations. Its goal is to be supportive and add value to organizations that provide education and training in Refractive Surgery by recognizing materials, presentations and training through WCRS Accreditation for practicing refractive surgeons to be able to achieve certification and credentialing in Refractive Surgery.
How can I find the requirements for Board Certification in Refractive Surgery?
The WCRS website will have a provider portal with applications for surgeons interested in Board Certification in Refractive Surgery. The website details minimum standards for credentialing ophthalmologists who are practicing refractive surgery as well as those in a refractive surgery fellowship.
After being accepted as a Fellow of the WCRS (FWCRS) do I have any particular requirements or responsibilities?
As a FWCRS your only requirements and responsibilities are acceptance of the bylaws and code of ethics of the WCRS and minimum yearly Maintenance of Certification (MOC) by documentation of having participated in 30 hrs of CE in refractive surgery per year. (MOC is required by law in most countries to keep certification in any specialty)
Is the WCRS collaborative with non-ophthalmologists?
Yes. We will work closely in collaboration with other all professional societies, organizations, residency programs, ophthalmologists, collaborative optometrists, Visual Scientists, ophthalmic technicians, nurses as well as corporate manufacturers and healthcare companies involved in the process of education and training as well as patient care in the industry of Refractive Surgery.
Can non-ophthalmologists be members or participate in programs with the WCRS?
Yes. Non-ophthalmologists can participate in programs and initiatives through the WCRS as Associate Members. Participation will have a minimum yearly fee as detailed on the website. The WCRS believes that Refractive Surgery is an interdisciplinary specialty and collaboration with these groups is absolutely necessary as a basis for operating in the healthcare space for Refractive Surgery and the Visual Sciences.
Are there any dues or yearly fees that are required as a FWCRS?
There are NO yearly dues from the WCRS. The WCRS is not a membership organization for its Fellows. The only requirement is a very small minimum yearly fee for MOC recertification as detailed on the website.
As a global entity does the WCRS depend on or work under the burden of any political or financial control by any person, group or company outside of the WCRS or exercise hegemony over any world region?
No. The WCRS is not a political organization. It is not controlled by and does not exercise any control over any other group or entity. It is self-financed through investments, contributions and its own operations. It operates through an international Board of refractive surgeons who will filter policy and procedures through Local Leadership of 6 Regional Advisory Councils to more effectively translate decentralized operations tailored to 6 global regions. This allows for regional autonomy for effective cross- border operations and cultural fluency in a global platform.
Why should Refractive Surgery be considered a specialty?
The definition of a medical specialty is a branch of medical practice focused on a defined group of patients, diseases, skills or philosophy.
Refractive surgery is a group of cash pay procedures performed on relatively healthy eyes, free of serious disease using a myriad of sophisticated technologies and techniques for the purpose of improving uncorrected vision for the restoration of visual function to ametropes, without the aid of traditional prosthetic devices of glasses or contacts.
Why do I need to support the concepts of the WCRS if I’m an accomplished surgeon and I don’t feel I need it personally?
Most accomplished refractive surgeons will be offered charter Fellowship if they meet the requirements.
For many, we hope they see this will not be all about themselves but something larger. Honor, leadership and legacy add up to integrity.
Many of our inaugural charter Fellows have been the foundation of refractive surgery for decades. We honor their service and the legacy of those whose shoulders they stood on to see refractive surgery become a specialty.
Hopefully they will light a path as leadership for the residents and young refractive surgeons of the future.
LATEST NEWS & BLOG
Is It Time for Refractive Surgery to Become Its Own Specialty?
With decades of history, some would argue refractive surgery deserves its own field. The concept proposed in this article may come across as radical, but, when you consider my reasoning, I think that you can find some sense in its proposition. This article is based on a talk I gave in June at the American-European […]
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Better safety awareness, industry-wide standards important for field of refractive surgery
Looking at accidents when they occur, analyzing and understanding them, and incorporating them into system designs are key for improving the refractive surgery field, according to a speaker here.
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