Residencies

Postgraduate residency training

Postgraduate residency training is a popular means for O.D. students to further their optometric education. Designed to advance your preparation as a provider of patient care services beyond entry-level practice, our residencies include a well-designed mix of self-directed learning, seminar participation, instructional experiences, and scholarship.

Indiana University School of Optometry residencies are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. The Accreditation Council on Optometric Education defines an optometric residency as a planned program of post-O.D. clinical education that is designed to advance significantly the optometric graduate’s preparation as a provider of patient care services beyond entry-level practice.

A residency:

  • Must be a minimum of 12 months
  • Must be composed of appropriately supervised clinical eye and vision care provided by the resident
  • Should also include a well-designed mix of self-directed learning, seminar participation, instructional experiences, and scholarship

Available residency programs

Residency programs affiliated with the Indiana University School of Optometry are listed below

Vision Rehabilitation with a emphasis in Ocular Disease Residency

Location
Indianapolis Eye Care Center
1160 W. Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Mission statement

Provide advanced competency in vision rehabilitation to optometry graduates. This includes the diagnosis and management of patients who have low vision, and/or acquired brain injury including traumatic brain injury, concussion, and stroke. Vision rehabilitation will also be provided to patients with symptomatic binocular vison disorders. In addition to vision rehabilitation, there will be an emphasis in ocular disease.

Program coordinator

ACOE Accreditation Status

Accredited
For questions regarding status, contact the AOCE at accredit@theacoe.org

Length of program

53 weeks

Number of positions

One

Salary and benefits
  • $45,000
  • Insurance: medical, dental, life (plan booklets)
  • Indiana University classes fee courtesy
  • Tax saver benefit
  • Full liability insurance coverage
  • Travel Stipend
  • 20 days of professional/personal leave (includes sick time)
Therapeutics

Yes

Ophthalmology Service

Yes

Description

The Vision Rehabilitation residency is a 53 week program designed to provide intensive clinical experience in low vision, concussion care, binocular vision, with an emphasis in ocular disease. Primarily, the resident will be responsible for direct patient care of patients within the low vision and concussion care services. As the resident gains knowledge and experience they will be assigned to precept the 4th year interns within these services, no more than 1 full day a week. The resident will have the opportunity to interact with and observe a variety of ophthalmologic sub-specialists throughout the year. On call responsibilities provide the resident with experience in the management of urgent eye care. The resident will have access to state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. There will be opportunities to participate in optometric community service and the option of participating in a humanitarian mission trip.

Part of the residency curriculum includes education and clinical teaching through grand rounds and journal club discussions. The resident will be required to give at least 2 separate lectures to the fourth year students. There is also opportunity to participate in clinical research, if desired.

Resident responsibilities
  • Provide optometric care to a large and diverse group of patients in the Indiana University School of Optometry clinics, with emphasis in vision rehabilitation with a emphasis in ocular disease
  • Learn and use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment including the latest digital imaging systems and computer technology
  • Gain clinical experience in the management of urgent eye care and ocular disease, provision of emergency eye care services at the IUSO Eye Care Clinics, and after-hours emergency on-call responsibility
  • Acquire proficiency in the use of therapeutic agents used to manage and treat ocular disease
  • Present lectures during journal club meetings, CE and seminars with the interns
  • Opportunity to participate in clinical research
  • Attend at least one scholarly meeting devoted to vision rehabilitation optometry
  • Attend continuing education classes and seminars
  • Participate in optometric community service activities, with the option of participating in humanitarian mission trips
  • Actively participate in the optometric community through membership and participation in optometric organizations
  • Provide clinical instruction to fourth year optometry students including clinical supervision in the ocular disease clinic and during various health screenings throughout the year
Requirements for completion
  • A paper of publishable quality will be written prior to and as a condition of the completion of the Residency program. This paper can be a report of original clinical research, case report, or a literature review.
  • The resident is required to submit an abstract for a poster or paper to a national optometry meeting of their choosing.
  • The resident will give lectures to the fourth year interns in the form of seminar discussions (two minimum) and periodically leading journal club meetings.
  • The resident must receive at minimum satisfactory evaluations by residency supervisors at the final quarterly review.
Selection Procedure and Admission Criteria
  1. Application sent to ORMATCH website reviewed
  2. Interview by Program Coordinators, (encourage in person interview but would consider virtual interview)
  3. Will receive or have received a Doctor of Optometry degree from a school of college of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
  4. Competitive GPA
  5. Eligible for an Indiana Optometry License within three months of starting the residency
Requirements for completions from the residency program:
  • A paper of publishable quality will be written prior to and as a condition of the completion of the Residency program. This paper can be a report of original clinical research, case report, or a literature review.
  • The resident is required to submit an abstract for a poster or paper to a national optometry meeting of their choosing
  • The resident will give lectures to optometry interns in the form of seminar discussions (2 minimum).
  • The resident must receive at minimum satisfactory evaluations by residency supervisors at the final quarterly review.

Advance your optometric education beyond your O.D. degree.

Apply for a residency program via Optometry Residency Match

Residency Requirements

  • Doctor of Optometry degree and transcripts from an ACOE accredited school or college of optometry located within the United States or Puerto Rico prior to the start date of the residency program
  • Competitive GPA
  • Able to apply and receive an optometry license
  • Successful completion of National Board of Examiners in Optometry exam (your scores are obtained using your OE Tracker Number)
  • Completed Optometry Residency Match application
  • Cover letter and two or three letters of recommendation (see specific program guidelines)

NBEO Information

When submitting the initial application please include any scores that you have received from the NBEO at that time. As you receive additional scores please let the coordinator know. Parts I and II can be reported after you submit the application. This year there will be less weight on those scores in determining interview schedules. While it is preferred that you have your Part III scores reported before the match date it is not required. However, if you do not pass Part III in an appropriate amount of time to gain licensure in the state you will not be able to complete the residency. Each program coordinator will determine the timing per their state requirements.

Site Visit

All applicants are encouraged to arrange a site visit.

Selection and Notification

The selection committee will vary between programs. Please contact the program coordinator to discuss the selection process.

Notification of the match will come initially from ORMatch. If successfully matched, the candidate will receive notification within 10 days of the release of the match results, and a contract within 30 days of the match results being released.

For questions about IU School of Optometry residency programs, or about scheduling a site visit, contact Dr. Anna Bedwell, Director of Residencies, at abedwell@indiana.edu or 317 278-1470.


Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator.