Essential Questions MD Graduates Must Ask for Ophthalmology Residency

Why Your Questions Matter in the Ophthalmology Match

As an MD graduate applying to ophthalmology residency, you already know the ophtho match is highly competitive. You’ve studied, done sub‑internships, taken boards, and polished your application. But one area applicants routinely underestimate is what they ask programs.

Thoughtful, specific questions:

• Help you assess whether a program truly fits your goals
• Signal maturity, insight, and genuine interest
• Give you details you’ll rely on later when making rank lists
• Distinguish you from applicants who ask generic, Google-able questions

For MD graduate residency applicants—especially those coming from an allopathic medical school focused on the allopathic medical school match—ophthalmology can feel like its own world. The clinical structure, surgical exposure, and fellowship pathways are unique. Your questions must reflect that.

This guide will walk you through:

• Key topic areas to explore on interview day
• Specific questions to ask residency programs, residents, and faculty
• How to adapt your questions for different types of programs
• Sample scripts and phrasing for “what to ask program director” and residents
• A short list of high-yield interview questions for them you can keep in your pocket

Use this as a planning tool so you never again end an interview thinking, “I wish I’d asked that.”

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Strategy First: How to Approach Asking Questions

Before we dive into topic lists, it helps to have a strategy. A smart question is:

• Specific – Shows you know something about that program
• Open-ended – Invites a meaningful response, not just yes/no
• Self-aware – Connects to your goals, strengths, or concerns
• Respectful of time – Clear and concise

Prioritize by Person

You get limited face time with each person. Aim to ask:

• Program Director (PD) / Associate PD

  • Vision of the program, curriculum decisions, outcomes, culture

• Chair and Key Faculty

  • Subspecialty training, research, mentorship, leadership opportunities

• Current Residents

  • Day-to-day life, call, workload, genuine culture, how leadership responds to feedback

• Program Coordinator / Administrative Staff

  • Logistics: scheduling, onboarding, visas (if relevant), licensing, housing resources

Tailor to Ophthalmology-Specific Concerns

As an aspiring ophthalmologist, you want to understand:

• Surgical volume and autonomy
• Exposure to subspecialties (cornea, retina, glaucoma, pediatrics, neuro‑oph, oculoplastics, uveitis)
• Technology and equipment (OCT, wide-field imaging, femto, lasers, advanced phaco machines)
• Clinic efficiency and patient mix (complex pathology vs. bread‑and‑butter)
• Post-graduation outcomes (fellowships vs. comprehensive practice, academic vs. private practice)

Keep those themes in mind as we break down concrete question examples.

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Core Questions to Ask the Program Director

When considering what to ask program director during an ophthalmology interview, focus on the big-picture structure and philosophy of the program. You’re trying to understand not just what they do, but why they do it that way.

1. Program Vision, Culture, and Training Philosophy

These questions help you see if your values and learning style match the program.

Examples:

• “How would you describe the training philosophy of this ophthalmology residency, and how has it evolved over the past few years?”
• “In your view, what distinguishes your program from other ophthalmology residencies in this region or nationally?”
• “What qualities do you hope your residents have when they graduate, beyond surgical and clinical competence?”
• “How do you think this program best supports MD graduate residency applicants transitioning from an allopathic medical school into ophthalmology specifically?”

What you’re listening for:

• Clear articulation of a mission (e.g., strong surgical training, academic research focus, community service)
• Evidence they’ve reflected on resident wellness and professionalism
• Specific examples rather than vague “we’re well-rounded”

2. Curriculum, Rotations, and Autonomy

You want to understand how your training will build over three years.

Examples:

• “How is responsibility and autonomy structured across PGY‑2, 3, and 4 years in both clinic and the OR?”
• “Can you walk me through what a typical week looks like for a PGY‑2 versus a PGY‑4?”
• “Are there opportunities for earlier surgical exposure for motivated residents, and how is readiness for independent surgery assessed?”
• “How do you balance subspecialty exposure with comprehensive ophthalmology experience?”

Red flags:

• Unclear or inconsistent answers
• Heavy service demands with little education
• Very late or limited surgical exposure without a clear rationale

3. Surgical Volume and Case Complexity

Given that ophthalmology is a surgical specialty, this is central.

Examples:

• “What is the average surgical case volume by graduation—for cataract surgery and for key subspecialty procedures, like glaucoma and retina?”
• “Beyond numbers, how do you assess whether a resident is truly competent and confident in the OR by graduation?”
• “How does the program ensure that residents are getting progressive autonomy in the OR rather than just assisting?”
• “Have you noticed any trends in surgical volume post‑COVID or with recent staffing changes, and how have you addressed them?”

What you’re looking for:

• Benchmarks (e.g., numbers relative to ACGME minimums)
• Strategies to protect resident cases from competing fellow interests
• Examples of graduated responsibility

4. Feedback, Mentorship, and Resident Support

Ask about structures that promote learning and wellness.

Examples:

• “How do residents receive feedback on their clinical and surgical performance throughout the year?”
• “What formal and informal mentorship opportunities exist—for example, pairing with faculty in sub-specialties of interest?”
• “Can you share an example of a time resident feedback led to a concrete change in the program?”
• “How does the program support residents during challenging personal circumstances or burnout?”

Positive signs:

• Regularly scheduled evaluations and mid-year reviews
• Multiple avenues for mentorship, including near-peer mentors
• Specific stories of responding to resident concerns

5. Outcomes: Fellowships, Jobs, and Career Development

You’re doing an ophthalmology residency to launch a career; ask how the program prepares you for that step.

Examples:

• “What have your graduates done over the past five years in terms of fellowships versus comprehensive practice?”
• “How do you support residents interested in highly competitive fellowships like retina or cornea?”
• “For residents aiming for academic careers, what kind of guidance or resources are available?”
• “Are there alumni networks or institutional connections that help graduates secure positions after residency?”

Listen for:

• Transparent fellowship match lists
• Career diversity (academics, private practice, hybrid)
• Active involvement by faculty in guiding residents’ next steps

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High-Impact Questions to Ask Current Residents

Residents will give you the clearest picture of day-to-day reality. Tailor your interview questions for them to topics that faculty might see differently.

1. Daily Workflow, Call, and Workload

You need to know what your life will actually look like.

Examples:

• “What does a typical day look like for you on a busy clinic rotation? On a surgical rotation? On call days?”
• “How is call structured (home vs. in-house), and how often are you actually called in overnight?”
• “Do you feel the workload is heavy, light, or appropriate—and does it leave time for reading and research?”
• “How does the program respond when residents feel overwhelmed or burned out?”

Follow-up ideas:

• Ask PGY‑2 vs. PGY‑4 the same question and compare answers
• Ask for concrete examples (“Can you walk me through last week?”)

2. Culture, Support, and Resident Relationships

Fit often lives or dies with culture.

Examples:

• “How would you describe the resident culture—collaborative, competitive, close-knit, more independent?”
• “Do you spend time together outside of work?”
• “Have you felt supported by seniors and faculty when you’ve made mistakes or had a steep learning curve?”
• “If you could change one thing about the program, what would it be?”

What you’re gauging:

• Authenticity (do they hesitate or look at each other before answering?)
• Whether there’s psychological safety to ask questions and admit uncertainty
• Whether there’s “hidden curriculum” that differs from the official line

3. Surgical Experience and Hands-On Training

Residents are the best source for real data on surgical autonomy.

Examples:

• “How early in PGY‑2 did you start doing parts of cataract surgery, and how did that progress?”
• “Do you feel you’ll be fully ready to operate independently when you graduate?”
• “How is surgical volume distributed among residents—are cases shared fairly?”
• “Have there been any issues with fellows competing with residents for cases?”

Red flags:

• Residents expressing anxiety about their case numbers close to graduation
• Complaints about fellows taking core cases without a clear teaching structure
• Residents doing mostly wound closure or very limited parts of cases late in training

4. Didactics, Boards, and Learning Environment

You want a program that prepares you for OKAPs and boards.

Examples:

• “How consistent and protected are didactic sessions? Are clinics/ORs truly closed for them?”
• “How does the program prepare you for OKAPs and written/oral boards?”
• “Are there expectations for reading, and do you feel you have time to meet them?”
• “Have residents ever struggled with boards here, and how did the program respond?”

Positive signs:

• Regular, well-attended teaching conferences
• Board review series, question banks, or faculty-led sessions
• Honest discussion of any past issues and clear plan for improvement

5. Life Outside Residency: Location, Cost of Living, Family Needs

Your wellbeing and long-term sustainability matter.

Examples:

• “How is the cost of living here on a resident salary, realistically?”
• “Where do most residents live, and what’s your commute like?”
• “How flexible is the program when residents have major life events (pregnancy, illness, family emergencies)?”
• “If you had to choose again, would you still come to this program—and why?”

Watch for:

• Consistent enthusiasm from multiple residents
• Honest comments about any downsides—no program is perfect

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Topic-Focused Question Lists (With Sample Phrasing)

Below are practical, ready-to-use questions to ask residency programs, grouped by theme. You won’t ask all of them, but you can pick and customize to fit each interview.

Clinical Exposure and Patient Mix

• “What is the typical patient population here in terms of age, socioeconomic status, and pathology complexity?”
• “How much exposure do residents get to advanced pathology versus routine refractive and cataract care?”
• “Do residents have opportunities to work in different practice settings—VA, county hospital, private practice, academic clinics?”
• “How is exposure to rare conditions (uveitis, ocular oncology, severe pediatric disease) ensured for every resident?”

Subspecialty Training and Early Exposure

• “How early do residents rotate through subspecialties like retina, cornea, glaucoma, and oculoplastics?”
• “For someone currently undecided about subspecialty choice, how do you help them explore and decide?”
• “Are there opportunities to do additional focused electives or mini-fellowship rotations in PGY‑4?”

Research, Quality Improvement, and Academics

If you’re coming from an allopathic medical school with research experience, you’ll want to know how that continues in residency.

• “What are the expectations around scholarly activity during residency?”
• “Can you share examples of recent resident research projects or presentations at national ophthalmology meetings?”
• “Is there protected research time, and if so, how is it structured?”
• “How are residents supported in initiating projects—IRB help, statisticians, faculty mentors?”

Technology, Facilities, and Support Staff

• “What kind of diagnostic and surgical technology is available (for example, OCT, widefield imaging, femtosecond lasers, MIGS devices)?”
• “How much support do you have from technicians and scribes in clinic?”
• “Are there any planned upgrades or expansions to the eye institute or affiliated clinics in the next few years?”
• “How do you incorporate tele-ophthalmology or remote consults into resident training, if at all?”

Wellness, Diversity, and Inclusion

• “How does the program promote resident wellness and work–life balance in a realistic way?”
• “Are there formal initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion within the department or GME?”
• “How diverse are your residents and faculty in terms of background and perspectives, and how is that valued here?”
• “Have there been recent changes in wellness policy or support based on resident feedback?”

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Tailoring Questions to Your Background and Goals

As an MD graduate, your perspective and needs may differ slightly from DO or international medical graduates, and even among MDs, your circumstances matter. Here’s how to adjust:

For MD Graduates from Research-Heavy Allopathic Schools

• Emphasize how you’ll integrate research with clinical/surgical training.
• Example:
  • “Coming from a research-intensive environment, I’d like to maintain involvement in clinical research. How have prior residents managed that alongside a busy clinical schedule?”
  • “Are there specific faculty or labs that frequently mentor residents on longitudinal projects?”

For Applicants Considering Competitive Fellowships (Retina, Cornea, Plastics)

• Focus on subspecialty mentorship and fellowship placement.
• Example:
  • “For residents interested in retina, how early do they typically get involved with the retina faculty, and what does that relationship look like?”
  • “How successful have your residents been in matching into competitive fellowships over the past few cycles?”

For Those Open to Comprehensive Practice Immediately After Residency

• Focus on comprehensive readiness and practice preparation.
• Example:
  • “For residents who go straight into comprehensive ophthalmology, how prepared do they feel to handle a broad mix of pathology and surgery on day one?”
  • “Do residents get any exposure to practice management, coding, and the business aspects of ophthalmology?”

For Applicants with Family or Geographic Priorities

• Be honest about your needs while emphasizing your commitment.
• Example:
  • “My partner has a career anchored in this region, so I’m particularly interested in long-term fit. How stable have the program’s rotation sites and call structures been over the last several years?”
  • “How flexible has the program been for residents who’ve had childcare or family care responsibilities?”

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How to Ask Questions Skillfully During the Interview

Having excellent questions is only half the battle; the other half is how you ask them.

Be Prepared but Not Scripted

• Bring a small notebook or use the program information sheet to jot down questions during the day.
• Reference specifics you’ve heard:
  • “You mentioned earlier that you recently revised the cataract surgery curriculum—could you tell me more about what changed and why?”

Avoid Questions You Can Answer with a Quick Search

• Don’t ask: “How many residents are there?” if it’s on the website.
• Instead: “I saw you have four residents per year. How does that size affect your case distribution and call structure?”

Prioritize During Limited Time

If you’re running out of time with the PD, choose one question in each of these buckets:

1. Training philosophy or culture
2. Surgical/autonomy structure
3. Outcomes (fellowships/jobs)

For residents, prioritize:

1. Day-to-day reality and call
2. Culture/support
3. Surgical autonomy and didactics

Take Notes Immediately After

Right after the interview day, write down:

• Memorable answers to your top questions
• Pros and cons based on what you learned
• How the program made you feel overall

These notes will be invaluable when building your rank list, especially in a competitive allopathic medical school match environment where programs can blur together.

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A Short “Pocket List” of High-Yield Questions

When you’re tired or the day is running long, it helps to have a few reliable interview questions for them ready to go. Here’s a concise set you can adapt on the fly:

To the Program Director:

1. “What do you see as this program’s greatest strength, and what is one area you’re actively working to improve?”
2. “How do you ensure residents graduate feeling confident and independent in both clinic and the OR?”
3. “How have your graduates recently fared in obtaining their desired fellowships or positions, and what role does the program play in that process?”

To a Senior Resident:

1. “Can you describe how your surgical responsibilities have evolved from PGY‑2 to PGY‑4?”
2. “What has been the most meaningful change in the program during your time here?”
3. “If a close friend were applying in ophthalmology, how would you describe this program to them—both the best things and the biggest challenges?”

Use these as starting points and tailor based on what you already know about each program.

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FAQs: Questions to Ask Programs for MD Graduate in Ophthalmology

1. How many questions should I ask during an ophthalmology residency interview?
Aim for 2–4 thoughtful questions during each formal interview (e.g., with the PD, faculty, and residents). It’s better to ask a few high-quality, program-specific questions than to run through a long checklist. Respect time cues; if the interviewer is running behind, prioritize one strong question.

2. Is it okay to ask directly about surgical numbers and autonomy?
Yes. For ophthalmology residency in particular, this is both expected and appropriate. Phrase it professionally and with context, such as: “I want to be confident I’ll graduate ready for independent practice. Could you share typical cataract and core surgical volumes and how you ensure residents achieve progressive autonomy?”

3. Can I ask about fellowship outcomes and competitiveness without sounding arrogant?
Absolutely. Frame it around understanding how the program supports different career paths: “I’m still deciding between fellowship and comprehensive practice. How have you supported residents pursuing competitive fellowships, and what have recent graduates gone on to do?” This shows thoughtful planning, not arrogance.

4. What should I avoid asking during interviews?
Avoid:

• Questions with answers clearly listed on the website (resident numbers, salary, basic rotation names)
• Overly personal questions about specific residents or faculty
• Questions focused solely on lifestyle without acknowledging training quality (e.g., “How little call can I get away with?”)
• Anything that sounds like you’re already negotiating (e.g., vacation timing) before you match

Instead, keep the focus on genuinely understanding training quality, culture, and fit as you navigate the ophtho match.

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Thoughtful, well-targeted questions are one of your most powerful tools as an MD graduate residency applicant in ophthalmology. Used well, they help you evaluate programs accurately—and they also quietly demonstrate that you already think like a future colleague.