RIIO School of Ophthalmology Residency Program
RIIO pioneered ophthalmology residency training in Rwanda, becoming the first COECSA-accredited program in 2018. By 2025, 13 ophthalmologists have graduated, with 16 currently in training, representing diverse nationalities including Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Kenya, and the Bahamas. RIIO recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first residency program in Africa to receive Advanced Level accreditation from the Ophthalmology
Foundation.
Continuing Medical Education: RIIO offers a variety of continuing medical education programs to meet the needs of all ophthalmologists and other eye health in the region and beyond. RIIO hosts a number of lectures and seminars, open to ophthalmologists and allied eye health professionals. Notably, the institute has trained 12 Ophthalmic clinical officers in preparation for international (IJCAHPO) certification, 18 ophthalmologists in Medical Retina
and over 200 nurses in primary eye care.If you wish to obtain additional information about any of these events please contact the Academic Officer at RIIO.
Our Residents
Our Alumni
International Accreditation
The Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO) has achieved significant accreditation for its School of Ophthalmology.
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Ophthalmology Foundation Accreditation: RIIO has been accredited by the Ophthalmology Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing ophthalmic
education globally. This is a notable achievement, as RIIO is the first institution in Africa to receive this accreditation. It's an endorsement of the quality of its
curriculum, faculty qualifications, educational resources, and clinical facilities.
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COECSA Accreditation: The RIIO School of Ophthalmology's residency program is fully accredited by the College of Ophthalmology of Eastern, Central and
Southern Africa (COECSA). This means that graduates of the RIIO program are certified by COECSA, a professional college that sets standards for ophthalmic
training in the region. This accreditation allows RIIO to be a center for administering COECSA exams and ensures its graduates are well-prepared for their careers.
This dual accreditation highlights RIIO's commitment to providing high-quality, internationally recognized ophthalmic training in Rwanda and the broader region.
This dual accreditation highlights RIIO's commitment to providing high-quality, internationally recognized ophthalmic training in Rwanda and the broader region.