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Medical Students

Woman with long dark pony tail, wearing a white lab coat over a black-checked shirt and brown glasses, next to a large screen with copy - What is Ophthalmology? Ophthalmology is the medical and surgical speacialty dealing with ocular and orbital diseases. Ohpthalmologists help patients maintain and restore vision.

The Department of Ophthalmology offers the following for-credit electives for fourth-year medical students:

Clinical Ophthalmology Elective (OPH 2101)

This four-week elective course introduces fourth-year medical and visiting medical students interested in applying for an ophthalmology residency to the field of ophthalmology. Didactic and clinical activities expose students to a variety of ophthalmologic problems and introduce them to ophthalmic equipment.

Visiting Medical Students and OPH 2101

Visiting medical students at LCME-accredited medical schools can apply for the OPH 2101 via the AAMC's Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO) site. More information about VSLO opportunties at UT Southwestern is available here.

Exploratory Elective in Ophthalmology

A two-week elective available to all medical students who have begun their clinical rotations, which provides a broad exposure to clinical and surgical activities in ophthalmology as part of an exploratory elective. For those interested in applying for an ophthalmology residency, this exploratory elective should not take the place of the four-week elective.

Summer Research Projects

Medical students interested in an Ophthalmology summer research project placement should visit UT Southwestern Medical School's centralized Medical Student Research Office. More information about Ophthalmology research projects is available on research faculty members' laboratory websites.

Scholarships

UT Southwestern Ophthalmology offers two $2,000 scholarships each year for visiting students taking OPH 2101 with a record of excellent academic achievement, who need financial support.

Visiting medical student scholarship application