A senior elective in ophthalmology would be useful for any student who wishes to know more about eye disease and ocular manifestations of systemic disease and who wishes to gain experience examining the eye. It is, therefore, recommended for anyone planning a career in internal medicine, pediatrics, neurology, family practice or emergency medicine, as well as those interested in pursuing a residency in ophthalmology.
The clinical rotation in general ophthalmology is designed so that the student can tailor his experience to meet his individual needs. General and subspecialty clinic exposure will vary from student to student and is determined at the beginning of each rotation. Study questions are provided and are designed to guide the reading and assure exposure to a broad spectrum of ophthalmic disease.
Research electives in ophthalmology are available and can be arranged through the Dean's Office for Student Affairs. Subspecialty electives are also available for students desiring more in-depth exposure.
Students who are considering a career in ophthalmology are encouraged to discuss their plans with faculty members and to direct questions concerning this specialty to both faculty members and current residents. Resident selection in ophthalmology is determined by a nation wide computer match. Application forms and letters of recommendation must be submitted and interviews completed prior to the match deadline which varies from year to year. Students interested in pursuing a residency in ophthalmology should contact the department office for specific information regarding the application procedure. Inquiries should generally be made about two years prior to the residency starting date.
A PGY-1 year with at least six months of direct patient care is required before entering an ophthalmology residency. Most residencies are three years long. The PGY-1 year should be in a transitional residency or a preliminary residency in a specialty whose total length of training is four years or longer.
Robert D. Yee, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Professor and Chairman
Department of Ophthalmology