Clinical Training by Year

Rotations consist of 6 training periods over the course of each year and are a mixture of subspecialty and general ophthalmology rotations. Clinical and surgical opportunities vary by institution.

First year (PGY II)
The emphasis on the first year is to develop a solid foundation in the ophthalmic exam and basic sciences. First year residents meet with the program director twice a month throughout the year to cover the material in the Basic Clinical Science Series in addition to the didactic lecture series. There is ample opportunity, both in general resident clinic and on subspecialty rotations to learn the comprehensive ophthalmic exam, as well as begin to assist in cataract and plastic surgeries, over the course of the year. First years share primary call with the second years at each hospital. Click here for a sample call schedule.

University Hospitals Case Medical Center (UH) – Site for the 3 subspecialty rotations and up to 3 general resident clinics. During the Cornea, Glaucoma, and Pathology/Plastics rotations, you spend a half-day with various attendings in each specialty in both their clinics and surgeries. The Cornea rotation includes cornea and general ophthalmology clinics, Contact Lens clinic and instruction, LASIK surgery and clinic observation at our new facility, and cataract and corneal surgeries. The Glaucoma rotation allows the resident to see and evaluate all new glaucoma patients as well as work with 3 different glaucoma specialists in the clinic and the operating room. The Pathology/Plastics rotation encompasses the anatomic, pathologic, clinical, and surgical aspects of ophthalmology. Residents have the opportunity to follow a case from the clinic to surgery to anatomic and histologic analysis of any pathology. Call is shared between the first and second years.

MetroHealth Medical Center (Metro) – The majority of clinics at Metro are general ophthalmology clinic, however, there are regularly scheduled specialty clinics including Plastics, Cornea, and Neuro-Ophthalmology. There are weekly Pediatrics, Glaucoma, and Retina clinics. First years share the day-call consult pager and are responsible for assessing and staffing these patients. Overnight call is shared between the first and second years.

St. Vincent’s Charity Hospital (St. Vincent’s) – A team-based clinic comprised of one first, second, and third-year chief resident. While the first year spends the majority of time in clinic and shares day call with the second year, this is an excellent opportunity to practice and hone clinical skills. Each clinic is staffed by a community physician, which provides opportunities for specialty glaucoma, pediatric, retina, and cornea clinics in addition to general ophthalmology clinic. Day call is shared between the first and second year and overnight call shared between the first and second years at St. Vincent’s and the VA.

Veterans’ Affairs (VA) – Also a team-based site comprised of one first year, two second years, and a third-year chief resident. Each week is divided in clinical and surgical duties. The first half of the week is devoted to pre-operative and general follow-up clinic. The latter half of the week is spent in the operating room where one first-year and one second year assist the chief resident on all surgeries. Day-call is covered by the optometry service and overnight call is shared with the residents at St. Vincent’s.