Yale Ophthalmology Residency

The Yale Ophthalmology residency is a three-year training program focused on preparing future leaders in both clinical and academic ophthalmology. Our structured and comprehensive training approach ensures residents gain the skills and experience necessary to excel in patient care, research, and surgical expertise. Yale residents gain knowledge, skills, and confidence through rotations, hands-on surgical experience, and faculty support. They are ready to succeed in any setting.

The program leadership designed the residency to achieve the following:

• In the first year of training, residents master examination skills and management of the general ophthalmology patient.
• In the second year, residents focus on medical and surgical evaluation and management of the specialty patient.
• In the third year, complicated surgical management is the focus.

The first year of residency provides exposure to a broad range of ophthalmic specialties. The program has five evenly divided rotations:

• VA Connecticut Healthcare System (two rotations) – Residents care for patients in general and subspecialty ophthalmology clinics.
• Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmic Pathology, and Ophthalmic Oncology (one rotation) – Hands-on training in evaluating and managing complex cases.
• Neuro-Ophthalmology & Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus (one rotation) – Focus on neuro-ophthalmic disorders and pediatric vision conditions.
• Yale New Haven Hospital Clinic & Consult Service (one rotation) – Residents manage their own eye emergency clinic in the mornings. This gives them a chance to follow patients through their treatment. They also act as the primary ophthalmology consultant for all daytime consults in the hospital.

Surgical & Procedural Experience in the First Year

During the first year of training, residents will participate in the following surgeries and procedures:

• Glaucoma Laser Surgery: 10-15
• Retinal Lasers: 5
• Intravitreal Injections: 80-100
• Strabismus Surgery: 15-20
• Oculoplastics: 40-55
• Cataract Assists: 2-3

During the hospital-based clinic and ophthalmic plastic surgery rotations, residents also assist senior surgeons in various anterior segment and ophthalmic plastic procedures.

The second year builds on what students learned in the first year. It focuses on advanced medical and surgical evaluation and management through rotations in:

• Cornea & External Disease/Refractive Surgery – Exposure to a wide range of corneal diseases and surgical techniques, including a graded introduction to keratoplasty and corneal suturing, cataract surgery, and contact lens management.
• Glaucoma – Training in medical and surgical glaucoma management, including angle evaluations, optic nerve imaging, and surgical interventions.
• Vitreoretinal Surgery – Residents refine their retinal examination skills and learn techniques such as scleral buckling, vitrectomy, and retinal imaging interpretation.
• VA Connecticut Healthcare System (two rotations) – Residents manage a busy general ophthalmology clinic and perform surgeries.

Surgical & Procedural Experience in the Second Year

During the second year of residency, trainees will participate in increased surgeries and procedures:

• Cataract Surgeries as Primary Surgeon: 30-60
• Retina surgeries: >10 assists, 5 primaries
• Cornea procedures including minor procedures and transplants: >5 assists, 10 primaries
• Glaucoma surgeries: >5 assists
• Glaucoma Laser Surgery: ~40
• Retinal Laser: ~20

The final year of ophthalmology training focuses on refining surgical skills and gaining autonomy in clinical decision-making. Rotations include:

• Cornell ScottHill Health Center – A resident-run community-based ophthalmology clinic serving an uninsured, predominantly Spanish-speaking population. Residents serve as the primary surgeon on approximately 30 cases, including cataract surgery, trabeculectomy, and pterygium removal.
• Comprehensive Ophthalmology Rotation – Advanced general ophthalmology training, with exposure to uveitis and oncology clinics.
• VA Connecticut Healthcare System (two rotations) – This is the main location for surgical training. Third-year residents do 140-180 phacoemulsification cataract surgeries each year. They also perform trabeculectomies, glaucoma drainage devices, MIGS, and corneal transplants.
• Neuro-Ophthalmology & Pediatric Ophthalmology Rotation – Advanced training in managing complex pediatric and neuro-ophthalmology cases, including further experience in strabismus surgery.
• Elective block (4 weeks during neuro/peds rotation) – Customized to resident’s own interests (research, global ophthalmology elective at LV Prasad Eye Institute, clinical experience within and outside of Yale)

Surgical & Procedural Experience in the Third Year

• Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgeries: 140-180
• Trabeculectomies/Tubes: >5 primary, multiple assists
• Penetrating & Lamellar Keratoplasties: 1-2 primaries, multiple assists
• Globe repairs: 5-10

The Yale Ophthalmology Residency Program offers a uniquely integrated, multi-institutional clinical experience across four premier sites, exposing trainees to a diverse patient population, complex pathology, and high surgical volume. Residents benefit from close mentorship by nationally recognized faculty engaged in cutting-edge research and innovation. The program emphasizes academic leadership, providing robust opportunities in translational science, global ophthalmology, and medical education. With a strong culture of collaboration and a commitment to individualized career development, Yale prepares residents to become future leaders in the field.

Yale’s ophthalmology residency program is designed to provide a robust and well-rounded training experience to prepare graduates as leaders in the field.

If interested in Yale’s program, applicants must complete the following steps:

• Register with SF Match.
• Complete the application requirements:

Application Requirements
All applications for the Yale Ophthalmology Categorical Residency Program must be submitted through the SF Match platform. We do not accept applications via fax, email, or postal mail. A complete application must include:

• SF Match Application Form
• Curriculum Vitae
• Dean’s Letter (MSPE)
• Minimum of three (3) Letters of Recommendation (one must be from an ophthalmologist)
• Personal Statement
• Medical School Transcript
• USMLE or COMLEX Transcripts
• Recent Photograph
• For international medical graduates (IMGs), please review the additional requirements and FAQs below

International Medical Graduate (IMG) Requirements

• Minimum of one (1) month of direct, hands-on clinical experience in Internal Medicine at a U.S. or Canadian ACGME-accredited teaching hospital
• Graduation from medical school within the past six (6) years
• First-attempt passing scores on USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK
• First-attempt pass on USMLE Step 2 CS (if applicable)
• USMLE Step 3 is not required to apply
• Fluency in spoken and written English
• Eligibility for an ECFMG Certificate is required. The ECFMG Certificate must be submitted via SF Match by February 1.

Visa Sponsorship

• Visa eligibility will be determined by Yale’s Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME) and your Program Director
• A valid visa is required prior to orientation (typically around June 12 annually)
• J-1 Visa: Sponsored through ECFMG; all associated fees are the applicant’s responsibility
• H-1B Visa: Legal counsel will be provided; Yale New Haven Hospital covers all processing fees except premium processing

Application Review & Interview Process

• All materials must be submitted via SF Match
• Application deadline is September 12; early submission by late August is strongly encouraged, as interview slots fill quickly
• For the 2025–2026 cycle, program signaling will be in effect
• Interviews will be held in November and December
• Only applicants with scheduled interview appointments will be seen

While preference is given to applicants who signal our program, non-signaled applications will also be considered