Queen Lane Campus
2900 Queen Lane
1st Floor, Room 100
Phila., PA 19129
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
& Friday 8:30a.m. - 5:00p.m.
215-991-8762
Fax: 215-991-8132

Hahnemann Campus
Office of Student Life, Suite 1106, NCB
Wednesday 9:00a.m. - 4:30p.m.
215.991.8762

Ophthalmology

Pathway Director

Polly Henderson, M.D.	Office #, Campus
polly.henderson@drexelmed.edu	(215) 762-5618

Drexel Fourth Year Discipline Based Pathway System

Pathways Overview
Ophthalmology Pathway Overview (Student Handbook)

Pathway Director's Advice On Commonly Asked Questions

Click on each question below to see the response:

How important is it for a student to have completed some type of research to match in this specialty? When should the research be done? Does it have to be specialty specific?

It is definitely helpful to have done some type of ophthalmology research. Generally if you get involved with research 1st or 2nd year of medical school you have a chance to get published. However, it is still possible to match without ophthalmology research; you are just not as competitive.

Are research opportunities available in your department?

Yes. You can contact the ophthalmology pathway director.

Are shadowing opportunities available?

Yes. You can contact the ophthalmology pathway director.

Are away rotations essential to a successful match in your specialty?

No.

Any other advice you wish to share?

It is important to have excellent Step 1 scores, good recommendations from the ophthalmology department and involvement in ophthalmological activities.

Go to the Drexel Careers Development Center for information on residency planning, match results, FREIDA (lists of residency training programs across the country) and more.

Drexel and Clinical Site Residency Programs

Drexel University College of Medicine

Drexel Medical Student Interest Group

Ophthalmology Interest Group

Specialty Description

An ophthalmologist has the knowledge and professional skills needed to provide comprehensive eye and vision care for patients of all ages. Ophthalmologists are medically trained to diagnose, monitor, and medically or surgically treat all ocular and visual disorders. They also provide consultative services for the diagnosis and management of ocular manifestation of systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and infectious and non-infectious inflammation. This includes problems affecting the eye and its component structures, the eyelids, the orbit, and the visual pathways. In so doing, an ophthalmologist prescribes vision services, including glasses and contact lenses. (Source: The American Board of Medical Specialties. Guide to Physician Specialties. Evanston, IL: American Board of Medical Specialties; February 2008.)

Time Requirement

See ACGME for current requirements: http://www.acgme.org/acWebsite/home/home.asp
Residency training in ophthalmology is four years.

National Organizations

The national specialty organizations can provide medical students with excellent resources as well as updates on current activities within the field, conferences, and on-going research opportunities and research funding.

Subspecialties

Residency Application and Match Info*

	National Statistic	DUCoM
Average Application Count by Specialty (2008)	N/A**	N/A
Mean Number of programs ranked in matched specialty (2008)	N/A***	N/A
Application Services	CAS
Matching Program	SFMATCH
Drexel Match Data -- 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 - 2009 - 2010 - 2011

*The number of applications and programs ranked will vary based on many factors. Students should seek advice from their Pathway Advisor and/or the Career Development Center in conjunction with the data above.
**Data drawn from 2008 United States Graduates (USG) ERAS Statistics for Residency Specialties. 17Jun2009.
***National Resident Matching Program Characteristics of Matched Seniors, 2006-2008. 17Jun2009.

AAMC - Careers in Medicine

General Information: http://www.aamc.org/students/cim/pub_ophthalmology.htm
(Log in for more helpful data to include: Personal Characteristics / Match data / Residency Requirements / Workforce Statistics / Compensation)

Specialty Specific Opportunities

For external research, volunteering, educational, and other opportunities check the Career Development Center's pages on Research and Community, Educational, and Externship Opportunities. Most of these opportunities are summer programs however some are available throughout the year.