Leadership Message

In 2024, the USC Roski Eye Institute furthered our mission of providing exceptional patient care while advancing the field of ophthalmology through innovative research and comprehensive training programs.

Our approach to medicine and science enables us to offer cutting-edge treatments for complex eye diseases that are often unavailable elsewhere in the community. As a testament to our expertise, we remain the premier referral destination for private practice physicians throughout Southern California, particularly concerning complex and uncommon cases, such as those relating to neuro-ophthalmology and uveitis.

Our dedication to research excellence was notably recognized in FY 2023, as the USC Department of Ophthalmology achieved a prestigious #4 ranking among all ophthalmology departments nationwide in NIH-research funding. This accomplishment underscores the breadth and impact of our faculty's research portfolio, which continues to drive innovations in therapies and diagnostic techniques for eye care.

The strength of our educational programs remains evident, with our USC / LA General Medical Center Ophthalmology Residency program maintaining its national recognition by Doximity. We are deeply grateful to our distinguished alumni who generously contribute their time and expertise at Los Angeles General Medical Center, providing invaluable guidance to our trainees and helping shape the next generation of ophthalmology leaders.

This year also marked a significant expansion of our services with the opening of our new Glendale clinic on May 6, 2024, extending our reach and allowing us to serve more patients in the greater Los Angeles area.

None of these achievements would be possible without the exceptional collaboration and dedication of our entire Roski Eye Institute community. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to supporting our mission.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of eye care through world-class clinical services, comprehensive training programs, and cutting-edge research.

Sincerely,

Residency Program

Each year, approximately 600 medical students apply for one of seven positions in the ophthalmology residency training program. Clinical rotations at the USC Roski Eye Institute and the Los Angeles General Medical Center are complemented by experiences at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and the VA Downtown Los Angeles Medical Center. With a total of 28 residents, the USC / LA General Medical Center Ophthalmology Residency Program is one of the largest training programs in the country.

Top Clinical and Surgical Training:

As the busiest ambulatory clinic at Los Angeles General Medical Center supplemented by a high volume of tertiary ophthalmic referrals at the USC Roski Eye Institute, our residency program benefits from a large volume of diverse clinical encounters which supports excellent opportunities for hands-on surgical training, education, and research. As a result, our residents consistently rank above the 80^th percentile in total ophthalmologic surgeries and procedures performed.

Robust Curriculum:

The clinical and surgical training of the residency is supplemented by a rich didactic curriculum that includes a yearly overview of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Basic and Clinical Science Course, Distinguished Lecture series consisting of key opinion leaders from across the country, the departmental Winter Ophthalmology Symposium, and the Annual Department of Ophthalmology Symposium at the end of the academic year.  These experiences are further supported by opportunities outside of the department in the form of surgical skills labs and opportunities for presentation and career development at national meetings.

Serving the Underserved:

Ophthalmology residents and fellows at Los Angeles General Medical Center are immersed in a diverse and enriching clinical learning environment.  Under the guidance of full-time faculty from each teaching site, their scope of practice spans from managing trauma and rare ophthalmic conditions to more common causes of blindness such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Concurrently, they also manage a busy inpatient consult service and support for ophthalmic trauma and emergencies in one of the busiest emergency departments on the west coast. On any given day, between 250-350 patients receive care in the ophthalmology clinic daily with upwards of 10-12 surgeries performed. Residents graduate from the program with an unparalleled clinical and surgical experience that prepares them well for successful careers in either comprehensive ophthalmology or further fellowship training.

MEDICAL STUDENT EDUCATION

The department is dedicated to fostering a strong interest in ophthalmology as a career choice among the medical students at the Keck School of Medicine of USC through its emphasis on education, research, and clinical care.  Faculty members actively engage in resident and medical student education through lectures, workshops, hands-on teaching clinical and operating room teaching, and mentorship for research projects.  Under the guidance of Dr. Angeline Nguyen and Dr. Kristina Voss, a thriving student ophthalmology interest group coordinates several informational and community outreach activities throughout the academic year.

FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS

Our clinical fellowship programs continue to attract talented fellows from across the nation who select our institution for advanced subspecialty training. The department sponsors fellowships in all major subspecialties of ophthalmology, all of which are either accredited by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) or compliant with the standards set by the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO). These programs include:

·         Cornea, External Diseases, and Refractive Surgery (AUPO)

·         Glaucoma (AUPO)

·         Neuro-ophthalmology (AUPO)

·         Oculoplastic Surgery (ASOPRS)

·         Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AUPO)

·         Vitreoretinal Surgery (AUPO)