Early surgical training is a cornerstone of the UC Davis residency program. Surgical orientation begins in the first week with an introduction to ophthalmic instruments, microscope use and basic surgical techniques. During their first year Comprehensive ophthalmology rotations, residents begin learning intraocular skills in a stepwise fashion. Beginning with wound construction, lens implantation and capsulorhexxus. Residents also learn extraocular techniques performing many strabismus surgeries. By the completion of their first year, residents have completed as many as 19 cataract surgeries as primary surgeon, the majority of these performed via a clear corneal approach with topical anesthesia.

With this strong foundation in ophthalmic surgery, residents are well prepared for their second year, which includes 4 months at the Mather VA hospital. Here residents will refine their skills in both cataract and glaucoma surgery under the direct supervision of the VA faculty. The VA setting provides a wealth of surgical pathology

Third year, residents perfect their cataract surgery techniques as well as expand their surgical skill in the areas of Refractive surgery.