Salem VAMC Residency Program Description

The optometry residency program at the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center is a 1-year residency program in hospital-based primary-care optometry, with an emphasis on management of ocular disease for a primarily geriatric population in a multidisciplinary environment. The program was established in 2002 and received full accreditation in 2003. The resident provides comprehensive care to new and established patients, as well as continuing care of established conditions and care of referrals from the Urgent Care Clinic. Care is provided at least 4 days per week alongside optometry and ophthalmology staff. He/she will gain experience in the performance of procedures including B-scan ocular ultrasonography, retinal imaging and fluorescein angiography. Opportunities to observe ocular surgery and participate in our retinal specialists’ clinic are provided, and he/she will participate in rotations with other departments throughout the medical center.

The residency curriculum includes scholarly activity including completion of a research study, clinical review or case report of publishable quality. Lectures are given to Eye Clinic staff or other departments on a quarterly basis. Presentation of a poster or paper at an optometry meeting is also encouraged. The resident has access to the medical center library and the Internet to assist in scholarly pursuit.

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