Ophthalmology
Contacts
Specialty Advisor, Specialty Interest Group Faculty Advisor and APEX Champion
Residency Program Director
Specialty Interest Group Email
Specialty Overview
Ophthalmology is a specialty focused on the medical and surgical care of the eyes. Ophthalmologists are the only physicians medically trained to manage the complete range of the eye and vision care. They can prescribe glasses and contact lenses, dispense medications, diagnose and treat eye conditions and diseases and perform surgeries.
Ophthalmology | Careers in Medicine (AAMC CiM log in required)
How long is this specialty's residency?
Residency training for this specialty is four years. All programs have either a joint or integrated PGY1 year which is at the same institution as the ophthalmology program.
Websites for Reference
Medical Students - American Academy of Ophthalmology
Iowa Interactive Modules | Powered by Box
Away Electives
Away Electives
Yes
How many aways should I do?
1-2
Order of Away vs Home
Whatever order student chooses
Programs where ISMMS students have completed away electives.
CA
Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
3
CA
Stanford University School of Medicine
2
CA
UCLA
1
CT
Yale School of Medicine
2
DC
MedStar Health at Georgetown University Hospital
2
FL
University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
1
IL
John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County
1
IL
University of Illinois Chicago
1
MA
Harvard Medical School
4
MA
Tufts University School of Medicine
1
MD
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
1
NJ
Rutgers NJMS
1
NY
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
1
NY
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences University of Buffalo
2
NY
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
2
NY
Zucker SOM Hofstra/Northwell
1
PA
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
2
UT
University of Utah Health, John A Moran Eye Center
2
Match Statistics
Information provided by 2025 TexasSTAR Dashboard
Average USMLE Step 2 CK Score
257
Average Number of Research Experiences
6.51
Average Number of Publications Published
4.65
Average Number of Presentations
8.02
Application Information
Ophthalmology Participates in an EARLY MATCH.
Application System and Match System
Signaling
How Many?
10
Signal Home Program?
Yes
Signal Away Program?
Yes
Comment from Specialty Advisor:
We recommend students apply to a variety of program (ie not all top programs), as this can limit interview invitations. Meet with Specialty Advisor to discuss application strategy during the summer of 4th year.
Letters of Recommendation
Standardized Letter of Evaluation (SLOE)?
No
Departmental/Chair Letter?
Not required but offered
Who should other letters come from?
1 letter from medicine or surgery rotation
2 ophtho letters (1 often from chair or dept leadership)
4th letter not required but if student chooses to add one it should be a research letter
Comment from Specialty Advisor:
Chair letters are not required but our chair often writes a letter for most students. If he does not write a letter for the student, the student often has a letter from another member of the dept leadership such as one of our site chairs (NYEE or Mount Sinai).
Interviewing and Post Interview Communication
Applications are downloaded by programs...
On the first date they are available- students should submit everything prior to that date
This specialty’s MSH program interviews all ISMMS students who apply.
Yes
Interviews are sent out...
On October 7, 2025 and then sent out on a rolling basis until December 1, 2025
Thank You Emails
You can if you’d like, it's a nice thing to do but will not make or break your chances. Thank you note policy varies from program to program - if they explicitly ask that Thank You notes not be sent, do not send a thank you note. Otherwise, a thank you note is helpful.
Letters of Intent
Yes, letters of intent are helpful to programs and applicants but make sure you're only sending to one program if you are telling them they are #1 on your rank list. Consult with an advisor before sending.
ISMMS Match Data 2020-2025
Harvard Medical School- Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
Montefiore Med Ctr/Einstein-NY
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
New York Eye & Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai
0
1
0
2
1
1
5
Northwell Health/ Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra
0
0
0
1
1
0
2
Northwestern University
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
NYMC Jamaica
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
Stanford University
0
0
0
0
2
0
2
U Michigan Hosps-Ann Arbor
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
UCLA Med Ctr-CA
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
USC Roski Eye Institute
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
Willis Eye Residency Program at Jefferson
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
Yale-New Haven Hosp-CT
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
Possible 'At Risk' Identifiers
A few concerning metrics are poor clerkship scores/failed shelf exams, limited engagement with specialty/limited research. Additionally, while not required most programs prefer students have a Step 2 score, so a strong score on this exam can be helpful
Typically 10 interviews is associated with a good chance of matching.
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