Ophthalmology Residency
Welcome to the Residency Program in Ophthalmology
Welcome to the University of Kentucky’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences four-year integrated ACGME-accredited residency program in ophthalmology. Here, you will find a thorough description of the program including applicant information, details on training experience, a roster of current residents and past graduates and their placement. Please also follow us at “ukophthalmology” on Instagram. The program has historically accepted three candidates per year, but increased to four candidates per year during the 2016 match cycle. We also have required a preliminary year internship with our medicine department, but transitioned to an ophthalmology run integrated internship in the 2020-2021 match. More information on the internship can be found HERE.
The residency program was established in 1967 and has a strong history of producing excellent ophthalmologists and highly skilled surgeons. Our program offers a unique blend of strong academic learning experiences with a variety of clinical and surgical exposure in each of the sub-specialty fields within the discipline of ophthalmology. During the four years of training, emphasis is placed on progressive knowledge of ophthalmic diagnostic procedures and methods, clinical patient care and ophthalmic surgery. A graded responsibility approach is taken, with upper level residents becoming ultimately independent in patient management. Residents in our program graduate with a solid foundation in comprehensive and surgical ophthalmology with the necessary hands-on experience required for a busy practice or a successful subspecialty fellowship. All of this rigorous training is well-balanced with a congenial and supportive learning environment, complementary didactics, an internationally recognized translational research program and a wealth of outside activities available in our region of the Bluegrass and Kentucky.
The training facilities include the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center, the Kentucky Clinic for Advanced Eye Care, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital and Central Baptist Hospital, all of which are located in Lexington within very close proximity of each other.
Click HERE for more information about Graduate Medical Education at the University of Kentucky including benefits, contract and house staff policies.
If you have further questions about the program not addressed on this page or the tabs at the top of this page, please do not hesitate to contact the ophthalmology residency coordinator, Madison Seward, at madison.seward@uky.edu.
My biggest draw was the people. All the attendings and staff I encountered on my interview day were beyond kind and welcoming. I could tell that they really cared about their residents. It was a great fit for me!
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to do an away rotation here as a 4th year medical student. The camaraderie between residents, fellows, and attendings was most impressive. I could sense the family-like atmosphere and I felt training in this challenging, yet supportive environment was the perfect combination for my growth.
I saw how the program provided a diverse and thorough training experience that would prepare me to be a skilled ophthalmologist when in practice. During my away rotation, I encountered a positive culture of learning that I could see myself contributing to as a resident. I also enjoyed interacting with the residents and faculty who welcomed me and allowed me to experience their lectures, clinics and surgeries.
