Opthalmology clinical curriculum

Program structure

The Ophthalmology Residency at ECU Health Medical Center is a four-year, ACGME-accredited program with an integrated postgraduate Year 1 (PGY-1) internship.  We offer three positions per year.  Our program is designed to provide progressive, comprehensive training in medical and surgical eye care. Each year builds on the previous, blending clinical experience, surgical skills and academic development.

PGY-1, a foundation clinical year

The internship year establishes a strong foundation for ophthalmology training by fostering clinical judgment, effective communication and interdisciplinary teamwork.

Rotations include the following:

• Internal medicine: Inpatient and outpatient experience with a focus on systemic diseases that impact ocular health
• Surgery (trauma and general plastic surgery): Emphasis on perioperative management and core procedural skills
• Neurology: Introduction to neuro-ophthalmic conditions and diagnostic localization techniques
• Emergency medicine: Hands-on experience managing acute conditions, including ocular emergencies
• Ophthalmology (introductory rotations): Familiarization with eye examinations, clinical instruments and basic ophthalmic procedures

This year prepares residents with the clinical skills and comprehensive medical knowledge essential for a confident and successful transition to PGY-2 ophthalmology training.

PGY-2, core ophthalmology and early surgery

The PGY-2 year is a transformative period as residents transition into full-time ophthalmology training. Emphasis is placed on mastering the ophthalmic exam, understanding ocular pathology and beginning surgical skills.

Key features are these:

• High-volume clinics focusing on comprehensive ophthalmology, oculoplastics and pediatric ophthalmology
• Early surgical exposure, including basic anterior segment procedures (e.g., laser procedures, pterygium excision, minor lid surgeries)
• Introduction to hospital consults and the provision of eye care to hospitalized patients.

Residents participate in the resident-run clinic gaining autonomy in decision-making under close faculty supervision.

PGY-3, subspecialty focus and intermediate surgery

In the PGY-3 year, residents deepen their expertise through focused subspecialty rotations and increased surgical experience.

Key features are these:

• Direct clinical experience with all of the subspecialties in ophthalmology
• Supervisory role and preceptorship for junior residents for hospital consultations and on-call shifts
• Integrated rotations in the private-practice setting to familiarize residents with ophthalmology in various clinical settings, providing exposure to a broad patient population

Surgical responsibilities expand to include selected anterior segment procedures such as cataract extraction under supervision. Residents also take on increased leadership in the resident-run clinic and when on-call.

PGY-4, surgical mastery and clinical leadership

The PGY-4 year prepares residents for independent practice or fellowship by maximizing surgical volume and sharpening clinical acumen.

Highlights include the following:

• High-volume anterior segment surgery, including cataracts and complex cases
• Advanced procedures across subspecialties, based on interest and career goals
• Supervisory roles in the resident clinic and mentoring junior residents
• Exposure to the private-practice environment through partnership with practices in the community
• Board preparation and transition-to-practice support

By graduation, residents are confident and capable surgeons ready to lead in any clinical setting!

Didactics

Our program features an intensive didactic curriculum designed to complement the self-directed learning expected of our trainees. Various regularly scheduled case and topic-based didactic sessions led by our faculty help our residents to prepare for clinical practice as well as the OKAP and board exams. Additional conferences explore topics in quality-improvement, introduce our residents to the production and consumption of scientific research, discuss matters of advocacy and governmental affairs, explore the business of medicine, and emphasize topics in professionalism and personal well-being.

Wetlabs and Surgical Simulation

Numerous topic-focused wetlabs are scheduled throughout the academic year, with ample operating room-style facilities and equipment to allow trainees to familiarize themselves with surgical techniques as well as the setup, troubleshooting and use of complex equipment in a safe learning-focused environment.  Similarly, we make full use of ECU’s world-class Interprofessional Clinical Simulation Center to provide additional hands-on simulated procedural and surgical experience to train and reinforce clinical experiences.

Program Leadership

Program Director Ann Ostrovsky, MD
Associate Program Director

Daniel Rubinstein, MD
Associate Program Director