Residency Training Program

The Ophthalmology Residency Program at the University of Washington is designed to develop clinicians competent in medical and surgical ophthalmology. Affiliated hospitals include the University of Washington Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center, and Seattle Veterans' Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System.
Candidates should complete applications as early as warranted by their interest in the program. Applications will be accepted only through the Central Application Service (CAS) of the Ophthalmology Matching Program (OMP). Inquire at your School of Medicine Dean's office for information packets.

Appointments at the second postgraduate year level (R-2) will be made through the OMP. Applicants matched through the OMP will be offered a first postgraduate year (R-1) at the University of Washington Affiliated Hospitals. The R-1 year is administered through the Department of Internal Medicine, and includes a 1-month introduction to Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic research. Candidates successfully matched through the OMP may choose to complete their R-1 year in another accredited program if they wish.

The residency program (R-2 through R-4) consists of rotations among the affiliated hospitals (VA, CHRMC, HMC, UWMC) with graded increasing clinical responsibility. All residents work in the outpatient clinics. R-2 residents begin extraocular surgical procedures. R-3 residents begin intraocular surgery and begin the study of ophthalmic pathology. R-4 residents perform advanced surgical procedures and continue study of ophthalmic pathology.
Surgical volume is far above minimum requirements for accreditation. Faculty physicians are present in all clinics and at all surgical procedures. Fellowship training in the Department of Ophthalmology includes vitreoretinal diseases and oculoplastic surgery. Occasionally, glaucoma and refractive surgery fellows are trained. Many University of Washington residents go on to fellowship training.

Aweekly lecture series centered around the Basic and Clinical Science Course of the American Academy of Ophthalmology is conducted to cover the entire ophthalmic curriculum. Weekly clinical conferences, ophthalmic pathology conferences, and teaching rounds are also held. No instruction in the basic sciences of ophthalmology other than that offered within the residency is required. Satisfactory completion of the program will lead to eligibility to apply for examination by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Opportunity is provided for conducting research projects during the internship and residency in the laboratories of the Department of Ophthalmology. For the resident interested in more intensive research training in preparation for entry into an academic career, the residency may be complemented by one or two years in clinical and/or laboratory research. Residents are encouraged to present their results at regional and national meetings and at an annual Resident Alumni Day Conference in late Spring.

Selected candidates will be invited for an interview after review of the completed application with supporting documents.

For further inquiries regarding the program contact:
Ingrid Noé
Residency Program Administrator

Dr. Raghu Mudumbai
Residency Program Director
Department of Ophthalmology
University of Washington School of Medicine
Box 356485
Seattle  WA  98195-6485
·  Tele: (206) 685-4749
·  Fax:  (206) 543-4414