Louisiana State University (Shreveport) Program

The Louisiana State University (Shreveport) Ophthalmology Residency program is a comprehensive three-year training program accredited by ACGME, designed to prepare residents for a successful career in ophthalmology. The program offers a robust educational experience through clinical practice and surgical training, enabling residents to manage a wide array of ocular conditions.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum is structured to facilitate a progressive learning environment where residents grow in their clinical skills and surgical expertise. Each year, residents engage in various rotations across multiple clinical facilities, ensuring exposure to diverse patient populations and pathology. The first-year residents predominantly manage the General Eye Clinic, which serves over 15,000 patients annually, providing a rich environment for learning and development of clinical skills 1.

Clinical Rotations

Residents complete rotations at several training sites, including the Academic Medical Center at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, Overton Brooks Veterans Administration Medical Center, and Monroe Medical Center at Ochsner LSU Health. Each rotation focuses on specific subspecialties, including:

• Glaucoma
• Oculoplastics
• Retina
• Pediatric Ophthalmology

This structured approach ensures that residents gain broad exposure while honing their skills in specialized areas of ophthalmology 4.

Surgical Training

The program emphasizes surgical education, ranked among the highest in surgical volume nationally. Residents actively participate in surgeries starting from the PGY-2 year, performing cataract surgeries, glaucoma procedures, and surgeries in oculoplastics and retina. A unique aspect of this training is a partnership with an advanced surgical training facility where residents can practice in a simulation environment 6.

Didactic Learning

Didactic education is a core component of the residency, with lectures held most weekday mornings before clinical duties commence. Topics covered include neuro-ophthalmology, radiology, and more, presented by faculty and invited visiting professors 5. In addition, journal clubs and fluorescein angiography conferences foster a collaborative learning environment where residents can discuss recent literature and case studies.

Research Opportunities

Engagement in research is encouraged throughout the residency. Residents are expected to collaborate with faculty on research projects, presenting findings at departmental and national meetings. Recent research focuses on ocular disease mechanisms and innovative treatment strategies 10.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The program prides itself on fostering a supportive and family-like environment among residents and faculty. Senior residents serve as mentors to junior residents, promoting a sense of community and teamwork 8. Additionally, the location in Shreveport, LA offers a low cost of living, a vibrant cultural scene, and access to outdoor recreational activities, making it an attractive place to train and live.

Application Process

The residency program accepts four residents each year. Applicants must register through the SFMatch Central Application System, with the requirement to submit a Supplemental Application for those invited to interview. Candidates are typically committing to an intern year at LSU Health Shreveport, where they will participate in a combination of medicine and ophthalmology rotations 9.

Competitiveness and Visa Support

The program is considered competitive, accepting residents from a variety of backgrounds, including DO and IMG candidates. Visa sponsorship is available, allowing qualified international medical graduates to train as residents 7. Interested candidates should be aware of any specific requirements related to year of graduation or eligibility concerning STEP exam scores.