{"id":94,"date":"2023-08-04T13:56:50","date_gmt":"2023-08-04T13:56:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/?page_id=94"},"modified":"2026-08-11T22:14:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T22:14:24","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n  \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--hero-primary horizontal-navigation\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--hero-primary\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper has-horizontal-nav\">\n\n          <div class=\"title-wrapper\">\n\n                  <div class=\"eyebrow-container\">\n                              \n<div class=\"f--field f--eyebrow\">\n\n    \n  <a href=\"\/ophthalmology\/\" >Department of Ophthalmology<\/a>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                      <\/div>\n        \n                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--page-title has-stripe\">\n\n    \n      <h1>FAQ<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        \n              <\/div>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--link eyebrow-link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n\n<a\n  class=\"link \"\n  href=\"https:\/\/keckmedicine.org\/eye\"\n  target=\"_blank\"  >\n        Are you a patient?\n    <\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n    \n      \n              <div class=\"horizontal-nav\">\n                      <div class=\"horizontal-menu-container\">\n              <button class=\"expand-menu\">\n                                  In This Section\n                                <svg class=\"menu\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\"\n                  y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\n                  <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" d=\"M4,23h3v3H4V23z M4,16h3v3H4V16z M10,23\n                  h21v3H10V23z M10,16h21v3H10V16z M10,9h21v3H10V9z M4,9h3v3H4V9z\"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n\n                <svg class=\"close\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\"\n                  viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\n                  <polygon fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" points=\"26,10.4 24.6,9 17.5,16.1 10.4,9 9,10.4 16.1,17.5\n                  9,24.6 10.4,26 17.5,18.9 24.6,26 26,24.6 18.9,17.5 \"\/>\n                <\/svg>\n              <\/button>\n\n              <nav\n  class=\"mc--menu mc--\"\n  >\n  <ul class=\"m--menu m--\">\n    \n    \n      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-home menu-item-24 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/\" >Ophthalmology<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for Ophthalmology\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-411\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/inclusive-excellence\/\" >Inclusive Excellence<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-525\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/department-of-ophthalmology\/annual-report\/\" >Annual Report<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-768\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/newsletters\/\" >Newsletters<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-23 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/research\/\" >Research<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for Research\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-71\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/research\/sponsored-research\/\" >Sponsored Research<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-263\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/research\/center-core-for-vision-research\/\" >Center Core for Vision Research<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-72\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/research\/clinical-trials\/\" >Clinical Trials<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-74\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/research\/publications\/\" >Publications<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-76\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/research\/funding-opportunities\/\" >Funding Opportunities<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-73\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/research\/laboratories\/\" >Laboratories<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-20 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/\" >Training &amp; Education<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for Training &amp; Education\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-22 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/\" >Residency Program<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for Residency Program\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-97\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/application-process\/\" >Application Process<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-98\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/current-residents\/\" >Current Residents<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-99\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/curriculum\/\" >Curriculum<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-100\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/faq\/\" >FAQ<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-84\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/leadership\/\" >Residency Leadership<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-21 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/fellowship-program\/\" >Fellowship Programs<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for Fellowship Programs\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-168\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/fellowship-program\/cornea-external-disease-fellowship\/\" >Cornea, External Diseases &amp; Refractive Surgery Fellowship<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-169\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/fellowship-program\/glaucoma-fellowship\/\" >Glaucoma Fellowship<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-170\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/fellowship-program\/neuro-ophthalmology\/\" >Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-1246\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/fellowship-program\/oculofacial-plastic\/\" >ASOPRS Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Fellowship<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-172\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/fellowship-program\/pediatric-ophthalmology-and-strabismus\/\" >Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Fellowship<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-173\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/fellowship-program\/vitreoretinal-surgery\/\" >Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-174\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/fellowship-program\/current-fellows\/\" >Current Fellows<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-19\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/patient-care\/\" >Patient Care<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\"has-submenu menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-96 menu-item-has-children\">\n      <div class=\"link-arrow-wrapper\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/faculty\/\" >Faculty<\/a>\n\n      <button class=\"expand-children has-submenu arrow-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Display Submenu for Faculty\">\n        <svg height=\"35\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" width=\"35\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n          <path d=\"m17.5 20.2142857 6.2142857-6.2142857 1.2857143 1.2857143-7.5 7.5-7.5-7.5 1.2857143-1.2857143z\" fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper\">\n      <div class=\"submenus-wrapper-inner\">\n        <ul class=\"submenu\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-695\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/affiliated-faculty\/\" >Affiliated Faculty<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-87\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/support\/\" >Support<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <li class=\" menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-89\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/contact\/\" >Contact<\/a>\n  \n  \n<\/li>\n\n    \n      <\/ul><!-- m--menu -->\n<\/nav>\n\n            <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n                      \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--accordions \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--accordions\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Frequently Asked Questions\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n      \n    <\/div>\n  \n      <ul>\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-1-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-controls=\"section-1-1-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Q: What are the selection criteria for the program?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-1-II-gOtmu4v\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-1-II-gOtmu4v\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>A:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/\">USC \/ LA General Medical Center (LAGMC) residency program<\/a> receives over 600 applications through the SF Match each year from across the country. We pride ourselves on being one of the most competitive residency programs in the nation with a longstanding tradition of excellence in clinical care, research, and education. In general, we consider the following during the selection process:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Track record of academic achievement (including academic GPA, USMLE Step 1 and 2 scores, and clinical clerkship performance)<\/li>\n<li>Innovative basic and\/or clinical research (including publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national meetings)<\/li>\n<li>Excellent letters of recommendation from faculty<\/li>\n<li>Demonstration of leadership and mentorship<\/li>\n<li>Evidence of collaboration, teamwork, integrity, compassion, and work ethic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-2-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-controls=\"section-1-2-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Q: What is the size of the residency program?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-2-II-gOtmu4v\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-2-II-gOtmu4v\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>A:<\/strong> We currently accept six residents per year in our 4-year program (1 year of internship integrated with 3 years of full-time ophthalmology).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-3-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-controls=\"section-1-3-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Q: What is the didactic training like?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-3-II-gOtmu4v\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-3-II-gOtmu4v\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>A:<\/strong> In addition to the unparalleled clinical exposure that residents receive at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.keckmedicine.org\/services\/eye\/\">USC Roski Eye Institute<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/dhs.lacounty.gov\/lageneral\/graduate-medical-education\/\">LAGMC<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chla.org\/vision-center\/\">CHLA<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/greater-los-angeles-health-care\/locations\/los-angeles-va-clinic\/\">Downtown Los Angeles Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinic<\/a>, the academic training is supplemented by a comprehensive and highly structured didactic curriculum that covers the AAO Basic and Clinical Science Course (BCSC) each year as well as imaging rounds and ocular pathology. Each week, residents receive a half day of protected time for these and other lectures given by our academic faculty. In addition, the department provides a variety of educational conferences including grand rounds, cataract case conferences, subspecialty journal clubs, and visiting professorships throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-4-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-controls=\"section-1-4-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Q: What is the surgical training like?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-4-II-gOtmu4v\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-4-II-gOtmu4v\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>A:<\/strong> The ophthalmology residency delivers a progressive surgical curriculum designed to guide residents seamlessly from foundational skills to microsurgical independence.\u00a0 Residents begin with clinic procedures and extraocular surgery in the PGY-2 year \u2013 supplemented by early access to the Eyesi surgical simulator \u2013 before advancing to live cataract surgery in the spring.\u00a0 Surgical competency is reinforced throughout the year with regular phacoemulsification wet-labs, oculoplastic cadaver labs, and MIGS training.\u00a0 By the PGY-4 year, residents lead their own surgical panel and ORs at LAGMC under attending supervision while learning the nuances of OR utilization and management, preparing them to become outstanding, independent, and well-rounded ophthalmic surgeons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-5-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-controls=\"section-1-5-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Q: What subspecialty rotations do residents experience?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-5-II-gOtmu4v\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-5-II-gOtmu4v\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>A:<\/strong> Residents rotate through all major subspecialties during each year of training beginning in the PGY-2 year: cornea and external disease, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, retina, and oculoplastics. Residents further benefit from a robust pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus experience at world-renowned Children\u2019s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) during the PGY-2 and PGY-3 years, as well as a cataract and comprehensive experience at the Downtown Los Angeles VA Clinic during the PGY-3 year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-6-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-controls=\"section-1-6-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Q: What is the call schedule like?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-6-II-gOtmu4v\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-6-II-gOtmu4v\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>A:<\/strong> The call schedule differs for PGY-2, PGY-3, and PGY-4 residents. Residents take home call and always have senior resident back-up, in addition to fellow and attending coverage at all times. PGY-2 and PGY-4 residents are primarily responsible for call at LAGMC while the PGY-3 residents take call at USC Roski Eye Institute and Keck Hospital, as well as CHLA. We are strictly compliant with ACGME clinical and educational work hour requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-7-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-controls=\"section-1-7-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Q: How many conferences can residents attend?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-7-II-gOtmu4v\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-7-II-gOtmu4v\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>A: <\/strong>Attendance and presentation at conferences is an essential part of professional and academic development during residency. As a result, residents are allowed time to present at two conferences per year, in addition to the AAO Annual Meeting for PGY-4 residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-8-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-controls=\"section-1-8-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Q: Where do residents go after graduation?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-8-II-gOtmu4v\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-8-II-gOtmu4v\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>A:<\/strong> Most of our graduates pursue subspecialty fellowships across all areas of ophthalmology, including anterior segment, cornea, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, oculofacial plastic and retina, at some of the premier and most competitive institutions nationwide. Those entering comprehensive practice are fully prepared by the exceptional breadth and depth of clinical pathology seen during training. Many program alumni go on to become prominent leaders and excel in both academic medicine and private practice globally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-9-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-controls=\"section-1-9-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Q: How much vacation time do residents receive?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-9-II-gOtmu4v\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-9-II-gOtmu4v\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>A:<\/strong> Residents have a total of four weeks of vacation per year (taken in one-week blocks) in addition to 8 sick\/personal days per year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-10-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-controls=\"section-1-10-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Q: What is it like living in Los Angeles?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-10-II-gOtmu4v\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-10-II-gOtmu4v\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>A:<\/strong> Los Angeles offers an unmatched blend of vibrant culture, world-class dining, sports, and year-round access to outdoor activities \u2013 from coastal beaches to mountain trails. Residents thrive in a city that lets them hike, dine, and enjoy sunny weather year-round even in the middle of winter!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n              <li>\n          <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion-trigger \" id=\"heading-1-11-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-controls=\"section-1-11-II-gOtmu4v\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-disabled=\"false\">\n                          <span class=\"item-title\">Q: How do I contact the program?<\/span>\n            \n                      <\/button>\n\n          <div id=\"section-1-11-II-gOtmu4v\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-1-11-II-gOtmu4v\" class=\"accordion-panel\">\n\n                            \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n        \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><strong>A:<\/strong> For questions about the ophthalmology residency program, please contact our Residency Program Coordinators: Lien Lam at <a href=\"mailto:Lien.Lam@med.usc.edu\">Lien.Lam@med.usc.edu<\/a> and Lorena Ramirez at\u00a0 <a href=\"mailto:lramirez@dhs.lacounty.gov\">lramirez@dhs.lacounty.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n            \n                      <\/div>\n        <\/li>\n\n          <\/ul>\n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--featured-block light-gray\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--featured-block\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"text-image-container\">\n    <div class=\"text-container\">\n\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title has-stripe\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Contact Us\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description description-medium\">\n\n    \n  <p>To learn more about the USC \/ LA General Medical Center (LAGMC) residency program, please contact our Residency Program Coordinator, Lien Lam at <a href=\"mailto:Lien.Lam@med.usc.edu\">Lien.Lam@med.usc.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n              <div class=\"links-container\">\n                          \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n\n<a\n  class=\"link \"\n  href=\"mailto:Lien.Lam@med.usc.edu\"\n  target=\"_blank\"  >\n    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 12\"><polygon points=\"14 0 20 6 19 7 19 7 19 7 14 12 13 10.9 16.9 7 0 7 0 5 17 5 13 1 14 0\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-width=\"0\"\/><\/svg>    Lien Lam\n    <\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n      \n    <\/div>\n\n    \n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":14,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-94","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>FAQ - Department of Ophthalmology<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Answers to common questions about USC&#039;s ophthalmology residency, covering selection criteria, training structure, call schedule, and vacation time.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/faq\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"FAQ\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Answers to common questions about USC&#039;s ophthalmology residency, covering selection criteria, training structure, call schedule, and vacation time.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/faq\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Department of Ophthalmology\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-11T22:14:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/ophthalmology\\\/training-education\\\/residency-program\\\/faq\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/ophthalmology\\\/training-education\\\/residency-program\\\/faq\\\/\",\"name\":\"FAQ - Department of Ophthalmology\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/ophthalmology\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2023-08-04T13:56:50+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-11T22:14:24+00:00\",\"description\":\"Answers to common questions about USC's ophthalmology residency, covering selection criteria, training structure, call schedule, and vacation time.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/ophthalmology\\\/training-education\\\/residency-program\\\/faq\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/ophthalmology\\\/training-education\\\/residency-program\\\/faq\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/ophthalmology\\\/training-education\\\/residency-program\\\/faq\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/ophthalmology\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Training &amp; Education\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/ophthalmology\\\/training-education\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Residency Program\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/ophthalmology\\\/training-education\\\/residency-program\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"FAQ\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/ophthalmology\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/ophthalmology\\\/\",\"name\":\"Department of Ophthalmology\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/keck.usc.edu\\\/ophthalmology\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"FAQ - Department of Ophthalmology","description":"Answers to common questions about USC's ophthalmology residency, covering selection criteria, training structure, call schedule, and vacation time.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/faq\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"FAQ","og_description":"Answers to common questions about USC's ophthalmology residency, covering selection criteria, training structure, call schedule, and vacation time.","og_url":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/faq\/","og_site_name":"Department of Ophthalmology","article_modified_time":"2026-08-11T22:14:24+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/faq\/","url":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/faq\/","name":"FAQ - Department of Ophthalmology","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/#website"},"datePublished":"2023-08-04T13:56:50+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-11T22:14:24+00:00","description":"Answers to common questions about USC's ophthalmology residency, covering selection criteria, training structure, call schedule, and vacation time.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/faq\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/faq\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/faq\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Training &amp; Education","item":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Residency Program","item":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/training-education\/residency-program\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"FAQ"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/#website","url":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/","name":"Department of Ophthalmology","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/94","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=94"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/94\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1268,"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/94\/revisions\/1268"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/keck.usc.edu\/ophthalmology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=94"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}