Lecture Schedule
At least three journal clubs are scheduled each year in the homes of our faculty members. Mixing business with pleasure, these social events are used to discuss current issues and journals in ophthalmology.
Wednesday evenings are used for the education lecture series. Faculty members and community ophthalmologists follow the information in the basic science lecture series books in preparation for the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP) examination.
The OKAP test is held every April and is required for all SLU ophthalmology residents. A teamwork approach is used among residents to perform well on this assessment. Weekly quizzes with question and answer discussions are held and the didactic lectures in the weeks leading up to the test are structured towards review for the exam.
Rotation Schedule
First Year
First year ophthalmology residents at SLU learn the anatomy, physiology and function of the normal eye. Outpatient clinic time involves mastering detailed ophthalmologic examination and refraction. Time each week is allotted in the operative room to assist and learn basic surgical skills. Residents rotate through the glaucoma, cornea, neuro-ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology, contact lens and low vision services.
Second Year
Subspecialty studies are prominent in the second year and residents develop surgical skills in the areas of anterior segment and strabismus. Rotations include: neuro–ophthalmology, oculoplastics/pathology, cornea, pediatric ophthalmology and retina.
Third Year
Third year ophthalmology residents at SLU continue to sharpen their clinical and surgical acumen with time devoted to the cornea, oculoplastics, pediatric ophthalmology, retina and glaucoma services, as well as the outpatient clinic. Independent decision making is fostered during this year, in addition to the opportunity to rotate again through a number of subspecialties.
Subspecialty Rotation Schedule
The cornea service offers extensive training in the medical, surgical and refractive aspects of corneal disease through the large volume of corneal transplants and refractive procedures performed annually.
The disciplines of ophthalmology and neurology are integrated for better understanding of the relationships of the eye to the central nervous system in our neuro-ophthalmology subspecialty Rotation. Residents gain multiple perspectives in the assessment and treatment of disorders.
Residents participate in a full range of eyelid, orbital and lacrimal procedures, and in comprehensive consultative services through rotation and weekly oculoplastic rounds. Residents also spend time at outside surgical facilities with another part-time surgeon in private practice.