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Department of Ophthalmology Residency Program
During the three years residents spend approximately four months in the specialty areas of comprehensive ophthalmology, medical retina, surgical retina, glaucoma, pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology and oculoplastics, and cornea. Residents rotate twice through each service, 8 weeks each, during their three-year program. Ocular pathology is taught through the neuropathology course offered by the Armed Force Institute of Pathology (AFIP) at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC. There is significant emphasis in low vision assessment and contact lens fitting. Residents work primarily in the West Virginia University Eye Institute, founded in 2001, and in the West Virginia University Hospitals. There is also a resident clinic at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Clarksburg, WV, which provides a great variety of medical and surgical pathology to the residents' experience. Residents receive a weekly lectures series held by the faculty and outside specialists on Mondays and Tuesdays. Grand Rounds are held each Friday at which residents present interesting and challenging case studies. Occasionally, outside speakers are also invited to present at Grand Rounds. Each Thursday morning residents attend a Basic Science Review lecture. This is designed to be an in-depth study of the ophthalmology basic science series. Retina Conference is held each Wednesday morning. One research project over the three year time period is required of each resident. The completed project is to be presented by the resident during their last year of residency during the Annual Spring Conference meeting. There is opportunity for residents to become involved in research projects with faculty, both in the Ophthalmology Department and with basic science faculty at WVU allied with the Department. Research improves the academic standing for residents wishing to pursue fellowships after residency and helps develop residents into clinical scientists. Residents must find time for research activities during their evening and weekend hours as their clinical responsibilities take precedence during clinic hours in the Eye Institute. Approximately half of our graduating residents go on to fellowship training, most recently into the fields of cornea, glaucoma, pediatrics and retina. We are proud of our alumni and current residents and welcome your interest in our training program!
Description of Rotations Cataract Surgery There is time built into each rotation for residents to perform cataract surgeries. Residents assist with care of the full range of patients seen at WVU Eye Institute. Our affiliation with the Veteran's Administration Hospital in nearby Clarksburg, WV, ensures that residents have ample opportunity to provide primary eye care and surgery. Residents usually perform more than 100 cataract extractions, placing the cataract surgery volume for residents in the 90th percentile nationwide. Sutureless cataract surgery with phacoemulsification is emphasized. Consult/Comprehensive/Low Vision Service
During this rotation, the resident is responsible for all emergency room and in- patient consultations, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4.p.m. This allows for optimal learning and continuity of patient care. Comprehensive services are provided by several faculty. Residents also have their own weekly comprehensive clinics with direct faculty supervision provided. Finally, residents in their second and third years rotate regularly through the comprehensive eye clinic at the Veterans Administration Hospital. Cataract surgery, with direct resident participation, is also performed at the Veterans Administration hospital. Residents are exposed to optical electronic magnification devices, as well as non-optical aids and training techniques to allow partially-sighted patients to make the most of their remaining vision. Cornea/External Disease and Refractive Surgery This busy service provides care for the full spectrum of cornea and external diseases. Faculty provide leadership for the Medical Eye Bank of West Virginia. The service has kept pace with the latest developments in refractive surgery. Glaucoma Residents receive training in the diagnosis and management of all glaucomas including congenital and complicated secondary glaucoma. They are exposed to the most current medical, laser and surgical treatments such as filtration surgery with antimetabolites and artificial drainage devices. Neuro-ophthalmology This service is staffed by a full-time faculty member trained in surgery as well as medical diagnosis and treatment of neurological eye disease. Residents have the opportunity to perform specialized procedures such as lumbar puncture and temporal artery biopsy. Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery This service is very busy, drawing referral patients from the entire state. The surgical experience is substantial, and the number of resident cases places the program in the 90th percentile nationwide. Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus This service provides both medical and surgical care for children with a wide range of diseases and adults with strabismus. Residents are exposed to evaluation and treatment of eye diseases including congenital cataracts, congenital glaucoma, strabismus and inherited eye disease. Surgical volume is large and residents have the opportunity to follow patients throughout the preoperative evaluation, surgical procedure and postoperative outcome. Medical Retina
Surgical Retina The goal of the Surgical Retina rotation is to develop knowledge of the surgical aspects of diabetic retinopathy, proliferative and non-proliferative, retinal detachment, ocular trauma, ARMD, and cataract surgery complications. Most important is the role that the vitreous plays in the creation of these problems and how modification may salvage vision. Continuity Rotation The goals of this rotation are to provide the resident with a simulation of what their own general practice may be like once they graduate. During this rotation, residents will hold six general clinics per week, attend the VA hospital one full day and perform cataract surgeries one half day per week. Each general clinic and VA clinic is staffed by faculty, however, it is the residents responsibility to run these clinics. Transitional Year Internship A Transitional Year internship is available to students interested in our Ophthalmology training program. Completion of this year at WVU is encouraged but is not madatory for ophthalmology residents. A separate application process and match is required. Please address inquiries to Lori Brownlee at (304) 293-2463 or lbrownlee@hsc.wvu.edu Around Morgantown, home of West Virginia University The Morgantown and West Virginia University communities, as well as, the entire state of West Virginia, welcome you to our area. Please visit the following sites to learn more. Application Process The WVU Department of Ophthalmology participates in the Central Application Service (CAS) through the San Francisco Match. All applications must be submitted through CAS. Our application deadline is October 31.
Benefits Each resident receives the following for use during their residency:
Educational Resources WVU Eye Institute Library: Our department maintains its own library of up-to-date texts and audiovisual materials which are available to Ophthalmology residents 24 hours a day. Practice Surgery Lab: Located on the 2nd floor of the WVU Eye Institute. Health Sciences Center Library maintains a comprehensive collection in all major medical specialities.
For More Information Geoffrey E. Bradford , MD, Program Director Tammy Miller |
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The WVU Ophthalmology Residency Program is a three year program that accepts three residents per year. We are the only tertiary eye care center in West Virginia and receive many patients with unusual and complex disorders referred to WVU by doctors throughout West Virginia and the tri-state area of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The Eye Institute also provides comprehensive eye care to a diverse population of local residents, in both traditional and managed care settings. 
In October 2007 the WVU eye institute purchased and made available to residents the 
The goal of this rotation is to provide the resident with a well rounded comprehensive (including contact lens), low vision, and in-patient consult experience. Knowledge in all of these areas is essential for general ophthalmology practice. 
This service sees approximately 100 patients per week who are investigated with ultrasound, digital angiography and a modern LKC electrophysiology unit. More than 500 laser procedures for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy are performed each year.