The department is responsible for education and instruction in both clinical and research programs in diseases of the eye and visual system.
Medical student education is provided through multiple electives in Seattle and the WWAMI region during the clinical years (usually third and fourth years of medical school). Successful graduates of medical school interested in ophthalmology apply to residency, which includes three years of training beginning in their PGY-2/R-2 year at affiliated hospitals. A PGY-1R-1year is required prior to ophthalmology residency, (applied for at the same time as ophthalmology residency). After residency, optional programs for further specialized training are available for application at the UW Ophthalmology Department, to include a two-year ophthalmic/plastics and orbit fellowship, a two-year surgical retina fellowship, a one-year uveitis fellowship, a one-year pediatrics fellowship, and a one-year cornea fellowship. Patient care is provided under supervision of faculty physicians at the UW Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, and Seattle Children's hospital.
Clinical research programs relate to eye diseases. Laboratory research encompasses neurophysiology of vision, morphology of the retina and visual system, corneal wound healing, biochemistry of ocular tissues, and anatomy/physiology of the orbit. Postdoctoral training is offered in all these disciplines.
For more information on residencies and fellowships, contact the department.