2W: Introduction to Ophthalmology

School of Medicine

Students will join a team of attending and resident physicians on the Ophthalmology service at Vanderbilt Hospital. Ophthalmology involves working as a consultant and primary care physician to patients both in the hospital and in the clinics. Reasons for consultation requests vary, but common requests include retinal disease, glaucoma, infectious diseases, trauma, and congenital anomalies. There will be six choices of subspecialty services on which the student may rotate over the two weeks. These include retina, glaucoma, cornea, oculoplastics, neuro-ophthalmology/consults, and pediatrics. At the conclusion of the two-week elective, students will be able to take an ophthalmology history and physical examination, arrive at a diagnosis, and understand treatment plans. Additionally, students will have familiarity with evidence-based approaches to care and the role of an ophthalmology surgeon in a teaching hospital.