How to complete an opthalmology residency

Intensive training in ophthalmology begins after you graduate from medical school. The Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education, which is responsible for accrediting all medical residency programs, has a database that you can search to find accredited ophthalmology residency programs. You'll learn to be a ophthalmologist during your residency, which usually takes four years to complete. 


The first year, the PGY-1 (or internship), consists of training in fields other than ophthalmology.

1. The resident will experience specialties such as internal medicine, neurology, pediatrics, surgery, family practice, or emergency medicine.
2. At least six months of the PGY-1 must give the resident responsibility for direct patient care.
3. The remaining three to fours of the residency must provide at least 36 months of formal training in ophthalmology.