Ophthalmology Residency

ILLUMINATING THE FUTURE

Becoming a skilled and compassionate ophthalmologist requires a strong fund of knowledge, abundant hands-on experience, dedicated mentorship, and a strong support system. At the Storm Eye Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), our Ophthalmology Residency Program offers a rigorous, well-rounded education rooted in surgical excellence, patient-centered care, and personal growth.

At the heart of our mission is an unwavering commitment to patient care. Every aspect of the residency program is designed with the ultimate goal of producing ophthalmologists who are not only technically skilled but also empathetic and dedicated to providing the highest quality care to their patients.

At the Storm Eye Institute, we enjoy a culture of collaboration and camaraderie. We recognize that residency can be demanding, and a supportive peer network is essential. Residents are encouraged to learn from each other and build lasting relationships. This collaborative spirit extends to faculty and staff, which creates a supportive environment in which everyone is invested in the residents' success.

Our curriculum is designed to build both confidence and competence through progressive autonomy and early surgical experience. The diverse patient population served by MUSC provides invaluable experience in managing a wide range of ophthalmic diseases, preparing residents to effectively serve any community they choose to practice in.  Our graduates are exceptionally well-prepared to practice as comprehensive ophthalmologists or in the fellowship of their choice.

Research is another key pillar of our program. Our faculty engage in high impact investigations, which enable our residents to contribute to the future of ophthalmology.

We have a long history of providing ophthalmologic care internationally.  We believe that exposure to different healthcare systems and resource-limited settings enhances resident education. Each of our residents has the opportunity to gain a global perspective on ophthalmic care through medical mission trips with surgeons in various subspecialities including cataract, strabismus, cornea, and glaucoma surgery.

We believe that personal growth is inextricably linked to professional development, so the program actively promotes opportunities for residents to cultivate leadership skills, communication skills, and overall well-being. Our program is located in Charleston, South Carolina—a city known for its charm, history, and vibrant culture. With its scenic coastline and renowned food scene, Charleston offers an exceptional quality of life that complements the intensity of residency and fosters a healthy work-life balance.

But what truly distinguishes our program is our faculty, who together represent every ophthalmic subspecialty. In addition to being accomplished surgeons, researchers, and teachers, they serve as dedicated mentors who are genuinely committed to the professional and personal development of each resident. 

We look forward to meeting future ophthalmologists who share our passion for excellence and our commitment to changing what’s possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many residents are in your program?

• We have 16 residents with four positions offered each year. Learn more about our current residents at the resident bios page!

What are your strengths?

• As the only academic center in Charleston and the major tertiary center for the state of South Carolina, our strengths include clinical and surgical volume, management of complex, uncommon pathology, and expert faculty in all ophthalmic sub-specialties. Our greatest strength, however, is our residents, fellows, and faculty and the culture we share. 

Do residents rotate to a VA hospital?

• Yes. Residents work at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center for about 10 months of their three years in ophthalmology residency. The VA is conveniently located on campus with our main hospital and children’s hospital. 

How much call do residents take?

• This varies by year in training. Senior residents share “back up” call, in which they perform all emergency surgeries and address complex cases with their junior resident. PGY3 residents take call two weeknights per month. PGY2 residents take call two weeknights per month and 2 weekends per month. Each weekend is split with a co-resident to ensure some protected time off each weekend. All of our call is from home, and residents are given post-call time when unable to get adequate rest due to clinical volume. 

Is there a wet lab? 

• A newly renovated wet lab is available to residents 24 hours per day. We have a wet lab curriculum which includes phacoemulsification, corneal suturing, port placement, and MSICS organized by faculty and senior residents. Practice pig eyes are always available upon request. 

Are there didactic sessions?

• Yes. Lectures are held every Friday afternoon. Imaging conference is held once per month, along with various other lectures throughout the year. 

Do residents need to purchase lenses?

• No. Lenses are kept in each clinic lane, in the consult bag, and everywhere else they may be needed. Residents are not responsible for supplying their own lenses in any setting. 

Is there a forum to present issues affecting residents? 

• Yes. The program director meets with the residents every month to discuss any and all concerns raised by the residents. The chairman of the department also meets with the residents every month over lunch to do the same. Countless positive changes have been enacted as a direct result of these meetings. 

Do residents attend national meetings?

• Residents are encouraged to present at national meetings and receive funding to do so. In addition, all senior residents receive funding to attend AAO. Recently, our residents have taken advantage of this opportunity by presenting their work at ASCRS, ASRS, ARVO, WIO, AAO, and AAPOS.

What is the publication requirement?

• Residents are expected to publish one paper during their residency and present one project each year at the Kiawah Eye national meeting. Because our faculty offer so many opportunities for meaningful research, most residents exceed these requirements. 

Do I need a car?

• Yes. As with most large academic medical centers, our footprint is expanding to the surrounding suburbs and residents see patients in a variety of settings including clinics and ORs in Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, North Charleston, and Nexton. Most days, commuting time is less than 30 minutes for all of our residents.

Is parking available for residents?

• Yes, the department covers the cost of resident parking at all MUSC facilities. 

What are the pay and benefits like?

• Pay and benefits are adjusted yearly by the GME department. The current year’s pay and benefits can be found in the GME handbook, available at the following site: MUSC GME Office