Clinical Rotations

Each subspecialty service has one resident participating at a time to provide one-on-one faculty instruction.

Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Six months of the first year are spent in the Comprehensive Service acquiring diagnostic and therapeutic skills. Residents participate in surgical evaluations while learning the basics of intraocular surgery. During this rotation residents will become comfortable with wound construction, capsulorhexus and lens implantation as well as learn the basics of phacoemulsification. By the end of the rotation, the resident will typically have performed one or more topical, clear corneal cataract surgeries as primary surgeon.  

Refractive Surgery

Refractive surgery is the most common form of ophthalmic surgery performed in the US and training of such surgery should be a part of any residency program. Residents at UC Davis receive an introduction to refractive surgery during their Comprehensive Ophthalmology and Cornea rotations. This introduction includes assisting in pre and postoperative management as well as participating in surgical planning and observing all forms of refractive surgery including: LASIK, LASEK, PRK, AK, LRI and clear lens extraction. During their third year, residents receive formal training in microkeratome and excimer laser use, becoming certified in both. A program of reduced fees for patients having LASIK with residents allows each resident to perform 2 to 4 LASIK cases prior to graduation. Residents complete their training with a thorough understanding of refractive surgery principles and techniques and are well prepared to incorporate such surgery into their practice.

Cornea, External Disease

Residents spend three months on the Cornea/External Disease service in their second year. There they participate in the diagnosis, as well as medical and surgical management, of a variety of anterior segment disorders.

Glaucoma Service

Three months are spent in the Glaucoma Service during the second year. The resident will have primary responsibility to the Glaucoma Service participating in advanced diagnostic and treatment modalities.

Neuro-Ophthalmology

Three months of the first year is spent in the Neuro-Ophthalmology Service. The resident will participate in the diagnosis and management of complex neuro-ophthalmic disorders as well as learning how to use of botulinum toxin for a variety of disorders.

Pediatrics Service

Three months of the second year are spent on the Pediatrics service. The resident will participate in the diagnosis and management of routine and complex pediatric disorders as well as in strabismus surgery.

Vitreo-Retinal Service

The resident will spend three months of the third year serving on the Vitreo-Retinal Service. Residents will participate in fluorescein and ICG angiographic evaluation of patients as will their medical and surgical management. Residents will perform extensive laser treatments and intraocular injections as well as participate in the office and operating room management of retinal detachments. They will be exposed to a variety of advanced retinal surgical techniques in addition to the management of intraocular tumors.

Chief Residency Rotation

Each senior resident spends three months as Chief Resident. During this time the resident will schedule and run their own clinic as well as schedule their own surgeries. Administrative responsibilities such as arranging the resident call schedule are included. Chief residents also participate in the surgical instruction of junior residents while learning the most modern techniques in cataract surgery. This rotation provides each resident with the opportunity to serve as an autonomous comprehensive ophthalmologist, to refine leadership and managerial skills and to develop surgical maturity before completing the residency.

Martinez Veterans Administration Medical Center Rotation

This rotation, which is taken during the third year, offers the resident an opportunity to expand his/her knowledge and expertise in a broad spectrum of medical and surgical ophthalmologic areas. Under the direct supervision of Dr. Linda Margulies, the resident runs his/her own service with a focus on anterior segment and cataract surgery.

Satellite Rotation/Kaiser Rotation

Taken in the second year, this rotation provides the resident with a variety of experiences. During the satellite rotation, residents rotate through Kaiser Permanente affiliates participating in pediatric and oculoplastic services. In addition, residents spend time in the private office and operating room of Dr. Denise Satterfield, specializing in pediatric ophthalmology. The satellite rotation also includes practical sessions in ophthalmic pathology with Dr. Alan Roth.

Mather Veterans Administration Medical Center Rotation

The Mather VA rotation provides second year residents a solid foundation in medical and surgical ophthalmology with an emphasis on cataract, glaucoma, and Vitreo-retinal. Direct one-on-one faculty instruction is provided. For the three months, residents learn to manage their own clinic working side-by-side with several VA faculty. Residents also spend time working in the VA Vitreo-retinal service, participating in a variety of surgical and medical theropies.

Oculoplastics Rotation

During their Satellite rotation, residents will rotate on the Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Service. Here they will have extensive exposure to a wide variety of pathology and participate directly in their surgical management.

Consult Service

In their first year, residents will participate in the inpatient consult service. Staffed by both University and Visiting Clinical Faculty, residents will perform independent examinations and develop treatment plans. Urgent and emergent patients with a wide range of pathology will be seen.