Ophthalmology

Education in ophthalmology is integrated throughout the four-year medical school curriculum. Students are taught by the faculty of the Department of Ophthalmology and the New England Eye Center as well as by faculty in the basic sciences and primary care.

In the first two years, there are lectures in ocular anatomy and embryology as well as in neuro-ophthalmic anatomy and physiology. In the first year all students participate in a workshop on the eye exam. In the second year, skills are further developed in small group sessions in the physical diagnosis course. A selective is available to second-year students during which they may participate in the clinical activities of our ophthalmology faculty one afternoon each week.

A lecture series in ophthalmology and clinical experience in an ophthalmology practice is incorporated into the third-year medicine clerkship rotations. Students participate in patient care, observe surgery and laser therapy, and participate in teaching sessions in which lectures, video, and new interactive technologies are used.

A variety of clinical electives are available for third- and fourth-year students. Students planning a career in a field other than ophthalmology can spend elective time studying the ophthalmic manifestations of systemic disease on our neuro-ophthalmology, retina, uveitis, or emergency services. For those with a specific interest in ophthalmology, elective time can be spent in a general introduction to ophthalmology that involves rotating among our specialty areas at the New England Eye Center. Students with a specific area of interest can spend an elective in retina, cornea and uveitis, glaucoma, pediatric ophthalmology, or neuro-ophthalmology. Exposure to current surgical, laser, and diagnostic techniques is part of each of these electives.

Research electives are available and encouraged for students interested in a career in ophthalmology. The department has research activities in the areas of ocular biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology, and physiology as well as in digital imaging, clinical electrophysiology, and the development and application of laser technology.

In addition to an active medical school teaching program, the full-time faculty of the Department of Ophthalmology offers a three-year residency training program. Although the teaching emphasis is directed primarily toward students and residents, there are fellowships available in glaucoma, retina, corneal disease, pediatric ophthalmology, oculoplastics, neuro-ophthalmology, and electrophysiology.