University of California (San Diego) Medical Center Program

The UC San Diego Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology Residency Program provides a robust and rigorous training experience that emphasizes excellence, ethics, and humanity. Aimed at developing exceptional ophthalmologists, the program equips residents with the necessary knowledge, skills, clinical judgment, and attitudes essential for providing compassionate patient care across various aspects of ophthalmology, including academia, research, and private practice. Over the course of three years, residents gain substantial clinical exposure across multiple facilities, enhancing their ability to manage patients with a wide range of ophthalmological diseases and conditions.

The program typically accepts four residents each year, totaling twelve residents at any given time. Each resident begins training every July, ensuring a consistent influx of fresh perspectives and ideas. The educational environment is designed to promote self-directed study habits beyond residency training. During their rotations, residents are exposed to a high volume of cases within a diverse patient population, while simultaneously taking on increasing responsibilities under the guidance of attending faculty members. This one-on-one teaching approach fosters a deeper understanding of both medical and surgical aspects of ophthalmology.

Curriculum Overview

The educational framework of the residency program includes a mix of clinical rotations, didactic learning, and research opportunities that collectively aim to develop well-rounded ophthalmologists. The core curriculum is structured to cover essential subspecialties such as Cornea, Glaucoma, Retina, Oculoplastics, and Pediatric Ophthalmology, among others. The program also facilitates extensive research involvement, encouraging residents to explore clinical or laboratory work during their elective rotations.

Clinical Rotations

The clinical rotations are designed to provide residents with progressive exposure to comprehensive ophthalmology. The first-year, or PGY2, residents embark on an “Ophthalmology Boot Camp,” which allows them to acclimate to the clinical environment. Throughout the training period, residents rotate through key sites, including:

• UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute
• UC San Diego Medical Center/Hillcrest
• VA San Diego Health Care System/La Jolla

Each facility allows residents to experience diverse patient conditions, enhancing their clinical acumen significantly. The Shiley Eye Institute features a state-of-the-art outpatient setup with surgical and ancillary services, thereby ensuring residents can hone their examination skills and surgical proficiency.

Research Opportunities

Research plays a critical role in the training at the UC San Diego Ophthalmology Residency Program. Residents are actively encouraged to engage in research activities throughout their training. Notably, residents present their research projects annually at the Residents, Fellows, & Alumni Day, fostering a culture of inquiry and innovation. The department's strong research funding, ranking fourth in NIH grants among ophthalmology departments nationwide, ensures ample resources for research endeavors.

Facilities

The residency program benefits from superior facilities, characterized by high accessibility to patients with varied conditions. The Shiley Eye Institute is equipped with advanced technology, facilitating comprehensive examinations and surgeries. Furthermore, the program collaborates with multiple centers, including the Jacobs Retina Center and the Hamilton Glaucoma Center, which enhances the learning and surgical experiences residents receive.

Life as a Resident

The residents’ experience is enriched by living in San Diego, known for its temperate climate and outdoor recreational activities. The program ensures residents enjoy a balanced lifestyle by offering four weeks of vacation annually, allowing them time to recharge amidst the rigors of residency. Housing resources are available to aid students in finding affordable accommodations within commuting distance of the various training sites.

Visa Support

The residency program provides visa sponsorship for international medical graduates (IMGs) primarily applying for J-1 visas. This ensures broad access to qualified applicants from around the world, supporting the program’s commitment to diversity and excellence in medical education.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

The UC San Diego Ophthalmology Residency Program is known for being highly competitive. With substantial applications received each year—averaging around 400 for four positions—the selection process is rigorous. Applicants are evaluated based on academic credentials, commitment to ophthalmology, personal statements, and letters of recommendation. Notably, all foreign graduates must obtain a Postgraduate Training License (PTL) for California prior to starting their internship year. The program does not specify maximum failed STEP exams, but strong performance across the required assessments is essential for consideration.

In summary, the UC San Diego Ophthalmology Residency Program presents a comprehensive and supportive training environment that fosters the development of skilled and compassionate ophthalmologists ready to meet the needs of diverse patient populations.