International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE)

The IACLE STE assists students in assessing their areas of expertise in contact lenses, as well as identifying areas lacking knowledge, thereby providing them with the confidence to go out into practice and successfully fit contact lenses. It is therefore recommended that the STE be schedule just prior to their qualifying exams in their final year of study or at the end of their contact lens course.

The exam is set at a standard knowledge level suitable for final year students or newly qualifying graduates, and consists of 100 multiple choice questions (MCQs) from the following categories. Thirty of these questions require the student to recgonise/identify a certain type of lens fit or eye condition in a colour photograph.

1. Anatomy and Physiology of the Anterior Eye
2. Design and Management of Contact Lenses
3. Principles of Contact Lens Fitting
4. Patient Examination and Delivery of Contact Lenses
5. Care and Maintenance of Contact Lenses
6. Ocular Responses to Contact Lenses
7. Complications Resulting from Contact Lens Wear

We believe that the stronger knowledge level in students will contribute to the reduction of contact lens-related complications, consequently leading to fewer patient dropouts. This will ultimately increase the popularity of, and consumer confidence in, contact lenses as a form of vision correction.

STE papers have been available in English, French, Simplified Chinese, Bahasa and Korean.

An STE can only be held at institutions with educators who are full members of IACLE.

Any member who wishes their institution to participate in the exam must complete and return a STE registration form to the Regional Coordinator/Administrator at least 3 months prior to the exam date.

STE registration form: download - pdf