Education

Educational Excellence at the UPMC Vision Institute / UPSOM Department of Ophthalmology

The UPMC Vision Institute / University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology is a leader in innovative education, training future leaders in eye care and research through programs that span the medical, technical, and advanced practice spectrum. 

Our commitment to excellence in medical student education aligns with the PittMed Three Rivers Curriculum (3RC), providing pre-clinical and clinical medical students with a modern ophthalmology curriculum tailored to adult learners. This ensures students gain both foundational knowledge and clinical acumen in this vital specialty.

Our residency program in ophthalmology is among the most highly ranked in the nation, training six residents annually. This competitive program attracts top-tier applicants from across the globe. Residents benefit from a robust didactic curriculum and comprehensive hands-on experiences in medical and surgical ophthalmology, guided by expert mentors. The Department’s state-of-the-art surgical training lab, featuring 16 networked workstations and three virtual reality simulators, sets a national benchmark for ophthalmic surgical education.

The Department also offers advanced post-residency fellowships in all ophthalmic subspecialties — cornea, glaucoma, orbit and oculoplastics, pediatric ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, and retina. These fellowships provide in-depth training in both clinical and procedural aspects of each field, fostering the development of future leaders in ophthalmology. Fellows work closely with expert faculty, engage in cutting-edge research, and gain exposure to a diverse and complex pathologies. 

In addition, the Department hosts an optometry residency program, offering advanced training in Low Vision and Ocular Disease. This program provides an unparalleled opportunity for optometrists to deepen their expertise and contribute to interprofessional collaboration in vision care.

As the first in the nation to establish a large-scale Advanced Practice Provider (APP) training program in ophthalmology, we prepare APPs to excel as frontline responders in urgent, emergency, and inpatient eye care. This groundbreaking program addresses critical needs in the delivery of comprehensive eye care services.

Finally, the Department addresses workforce challenges through its ophthalmic technician training program. By expanding the pool of skilled technical staff, this program has become essential in supporting clinical operations and enhancing patient care across the field.

Through these initiatives, the Department of Ophthalmology at Pitt stands at the forefront of ophthalmic education, advancing the national profile of the field while meeting the evolving needs of modern eye care.