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Introduction
 The residency training program in ophthalmology consists of three years of approved training in Baylor's Department of Ophthalmology Roy and Lillie Cullen Eye Institute and in the Baylor affiliated hospitals. Six positions are available for entry into the first year of residency training each July 1. The program is designed to train ophthalmologists skilled in all aspects of the specialty and qualified to pursue careers in comprehensive ophthalmology, subspecialty practice, or academic ophthalmology. In accordance with the requirements of the American Board of Ophthalmology, candidates entering the first year of ophthalmology must have successfully completed a postgraduate clinical year (PGY-1) in a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply for the Written Qualifying Examination of the American Board of Ophthalmology.
The Department comprises 23 full-time clinical and 10 research faculty
members, principally located in the Cullen Eye Institute of The
Neurosensory Center. In addition, 26 voluntary clinical faculty
members assist in the training program.
Description of the Clinical Training Program
All new residents
enter the program on July 1. The first two weeks are devoted primarily
to an introductory course in ophthalmology, which includes principles
of examination and utilization of instruments, refraction, and management
of ocular emergencies. At the conclusion of this period, the first-year
residents begin full-time clinic and operating room activities at
Ben Taub General Hospital, Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
The Methodist Hospital, and The Neurosensory Center of Houston.
The major objectives of the first year of training are to understand
the pathophysiology of ocular diseases, become skilled in the diagnosis
and management of medical diseases of the eye, and become familiar
with the indications and principles of ophthalmic surgery. The resident
examines and treats patients in the outpatient clinics, performs
inpatient consultations, develops basic surgical skills, and performs
both extraocular and intraocular surgical procedures.
In addition to rotations at the Ben Taub General Hospital and the
Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the first-year
resident has subspecialty assignments under the direction of full-time
clinical faculty members: ocular pathology with Dr. Ramon L. Font;
oculoplastic and orbital surgery with Drs. Milton Boniuk and Michael
T. Yen; and neuro-ophthalmology with Dr. Rod Foroozan.
In the second year, the resident develops skills in extraocular,
strabismus, and intraocular surgery during general and sub-specialty
rotations. Two months each are devoted to subspecialty assignments
directed by full-time faculty: strabismus surgery and pediatric
ophthalmology with Drs. David K. Coats, Jane C. Edmond, Evelyn A.
Paysse, Kimberly G. Yen; glaucoma and anterior segment with Drs.
Ronald L. Gross, Silvia D. Orengo-Nania, Peter T. Chang, M. Bowes
Hamill; vitreoretinal diseases and surgery with Drs. Alice R. McPherson,
Eric R. Holz and Richard A. Lewis; and corneal and external diseases
with Drs. Dan B. Jones, Kirk R. Wilhelmus, Alice Y. Matoba, and
Stephen C. Pflugfelder. Instruction in contact lens fitting is provided
at a weekly clinic. During rotations at the Ben Taub General Hospital
and the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the
resident participates in all aspects of patient care; provides consultative
service; and shares teaching responsibility for medical students,
first-year ophthalmology residents, and other post-graduate trainees.
Senior residents are primarily responsible for the medical and surgical
management of all ophthalmology patients at the two principal integrated
facilities, Ben Taub General Hospital and Michael E. DeBakey Veterans
Affairs Medical Center. These activities include directing the outpatient
clinic and consultative services, performing surgery, conducting
daily ward rounds, assisting residents in patient care, and teaching
other trainees. Through direct supervision by full- and part-time
faculty and by independent performance, the resident acquires skills
in a wide range of ocular surgery, including phacoemulsification,
intraocular lens implantation, corneal surgery, trabeculectomy,
vitreoretinal surgery, and oculoplastic surgery. Residents assist
Dr. Douglas D. Koch in performing cataract and refractive surgery.
A subspecialty rotation with Drs. McPherson and Holz provides advanced
training in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery.
One senior resident is selected as the chief resident for the full
academic year to direct the residency service, assist in organizing
the residency training program, and serve as liaison with the Department's
faculty and administration.
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