Curriculum

Residents can expect an environment of supervised autonomy that emphasizes the role of the resident as the primary eyecare provider.
A strong emphasis is placed on teaching and residents can expect to teach and be taught by all members of the team including themselves, their peers, faculty, staff and patients.

While working at the VA residents will have the opportunity to develop and refine ophthalmic skills including
  • taking a thorough and focused ophthalmic history
  • performing a complete ophthalmic exam including
    • afferent examination (visual acuity, pupil exam and visual fields)
    • retinoscopy and refraction
    • ocular motility
    • examination of external, anterior and posterior structures of the eye
  • forming and narrowing a differential diagnosis
  • creating and implementing a plan for further diagnosis and treatment
  • ordering and interpreting ophthalmic diagnostic studies
  • communicating with and counseling patients
  • corresponding with patients’ families and other health care providers
  • presenting patients in a thorough and focused manner

Second year residents can expect to receive extensive training with ophthalmic lasers and minor procedures.
Third year residents can expect to refine their skills with these procedures and have the opportunity to teach junior residents.

Second year residents can expect to receive anterior segment operative experience including experience with extracapsular cataract surgery.
Third year residents can expect that operative experience, particularly with cataract surgery, will be a major focus of the rotation.