Medical Student Program

Medical Student Elective Opportunities:

The Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science is dedicated to providing outstanding instruction in both clinical ophthalmology and research to medical students. We offer medical students the opportunity to work with highly skilled clinicians and surgeons, who are at the forefront of groundbreaking work in Ophthalmology. Our elective rotations for third and fourth year students are:

OPT 442 Introduction to Ophthalmology:

A two-week rotation – course includes ocular disease diagnosis and management relevant to the clinical practice of future primary care physicians and others.

OPT 465 Advanced Subspecialty Ophthalmology:

A four-week rotation – prerequisite is that students should have met the surgical specialty clerkship requirements for fourth year students. This rotation teaches neuro-ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology, diseases of the cornea and external eye, glaucoma and retina. Rotation may be arranged with instructors in four-week units of one service or in combination.

OPT 499 Ophthalmology Research:

Research in Ophthalmology - Course duration will be determined. This rotation is 100% research, and must have the consent of the instructor. This rotation consists of individual research on selected topics in optics, visual psychophysics, clinical ophthalmology, or basic research relevant to ophthalmology.

Orientation begins at the beginning of every two weeks. To enroll please contact Ms. VaShon Elmer by email vashon.elmer@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.