Curriculum

Didactics

Didactic teaching sessions occur in the evenings after clinical duties, usually on Wednesdays. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, including anatomy, physiology, optics, and clinical management of ophthalmic conditions, led by Saint Louis University faculty and staff members.

Grand Rounds

Ophthalmology grand rounds at SLU take place on Wednesday mornings before clinical duties. The meetings typically involve a presentation of a case study, research topic, or pertinent innovation in the field by a resident or faculty member, followed by a discussion and critique of the case or topic presented. Residents are expected to participate both in presentations and discussions during grand rounds. 

Wet Lab 

Saint Louis Ophthalmology’s Wet Lab curriculum uses simulator training and practice on synthetic and animal eyes to develop surgical skills and familiarity with cataract surgery. Residents practice surgical techniques on synthetic eyes and animal models under the guidance of experienced faculty members to develop a strong foundation to perform procedures clinically.

OKAP Prep

The Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP) exam is a comprehensive test that assesses the knowledge and skills of ophthalmology residents. The exam covers a wide range of topics, including anatomy, physiology, optics, and clinical management of ophthalmic conditions and is taken every year starting during the PGY2 year. In addition to self-study, OKAP preparation at Saint Louis University consists of protected time every Wednesday morning before grand rounds that is led by the chief residents. 

Journal Club

Ophthalmology journal clubs occur throughout the year and involve a wide range of subspecialties. These clubs involve a presentation of the articles to be discussed led by residents, who summarize the key findings of the article. Discussion is led by the subspecialty faculty, who discuss the article’s strengths, weaknesses and implications for clinical practice. 

Clinical Rotations

PGY-1

Now integrated with the internal medicine department at Saint Louis University, applicants matching at SLU will rotate at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and clinics and the John Cochran VA medical center. The integrated intern year will offer rotations in general medicine, endocrine medicine, rheumatology and radiology, along with ophthalmology rotations. In addition to the longitudinal ophthalmology rotations, interns will spend the last four weeks of their intern year rotating in the ophthalmology department to “ramp up” to the transition to the first year of ophthalmology training. 

PGY-2

Beginning in the PGY-2 year, the first year of residency training is divided into four 12-week rotations. First-year residents will build a broad rotation in ophthalmology with rotations in comprehensive ophthalmology, retina/uveitis, glaucoma, oculoplastic surgery, pediatrics, and adult strabismus. Rotations are completed at SSM Health SLU and Cardinal Glennon Children’s hospitals. Residents will gain exposure to surgical procedures at the Anheuser Busch outpatient surgical center, SSM Health SLU hospital OR, and the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital OR. The Resident on Call (ROC) clinic is SLU’s “eye urgent care,” where residents will field urgent calls and evaluate and treat urgent ophthalmic issues. In addition, first-year residents are responsible for covering primary call during weeknights and weekends. 

PGY-3

Second-year rotations are again divided into four 12-week rotations. Residents will build on the foundation established during the first year with rotations in pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, retina/uveitis and oculoplastics. Surgical exposure continues, and second-year residents gain exposure to cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation and continued exposure to pediatric procedures, strabismus surgery and oculoplastic cases. Second-year residents are responsible for inpatient consults for both adult and pediatric patients. 

PGY-4

Third-year rotations are divided into four 12-week rotations and cover cornea, neuro-ophthalmology, glaucoma, retina/uveitis, and comprehensive ophthalmology. The focus is on honing surgical skills through continued exposure to cataract cases and broad exposure to cornea, retina and glaucoma cases, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries. Third-year residents are responsible for backup surgical call during weeknights and weekends and can see patients independently in resident clinics throughout the week.