The Department of Ophthalmology at NYU Langone offer several educational opportunities for medical students to develop their clinical and surgical skills.

Ophthalmology Preclinical Education

Medical students enrolled in NYU Grossman School of Medicine receive an introduction to the eye and visual system during their preclinical years. This includes lectures on ocular and orbital anatomy, development and physiology of the visual system, pharmacology, and pathology of the visual system.

An introduction to the eye examination and testing of the visual system is included in part of the Practice of Medicine course during your second year. You learn how to test visual acuity and the sensory components of vision, as well as how to perform an external eye examination and direct ophthalmoscopy.

Ophthalmology Electives for NYU Grossman School of Medicine Students

Our department offers a two-week general elective rotation and a four-week advanced elective rotation during your clinical years. In both rotations, students work alongside our clinical faculty, residents, and fellows in eye clinics, operating rooms, and consult services. Your rotations take place at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, the Manhattan campus of the VA NY Harbor Healthcare System, NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital, and NYU Langone Eye Center.

The general elective provides a thorough overview of ophthalmology and how to treat eye disease. By the end of the rotation, you obtain an understanding of eye examination techniques, how to treat eye diseases as a general physician, and when a referral to an ophthalmologist is warranted.

The advanced elective is designed to enhance the physical examination skills learned in the general elective and move toward independent patient workups under direct faculty supervision. You learn in more detail the various subspecialties within ophthalmology and have an opportunity for a one-on-one preceptorship with our faculty mentors. This course is designed for students who want more experience treating eye disease, including those interested in pursuing a career in ophthalmology.

Ophthalmology Shadowing Policy for NYU Grossman School of Medicine Students

Medical students are encouraged to learn more about the practice of ophthalmology through shadowing experiences with our expert faculty.

We offer shadowing opportunities through the NYU Grossman School of Medicine Career Exploration Program.

If there is a specific faculty member you are interested in shadowing with no available shadowing opportunities listed, please contact Nicole Mazzone, director of education, at Nicole.Mazzone@NYULangone.org. We are discouraging students from reaching out directly to faculty in order to streamline the process and coordinate the various learners in our department.

Please note that no shadowing is allowed during the months of July through September, as that is when our new residents are adjusting, and we tend to have more students doing formal rotations during that time.

Ophthalmology Preceptorship Policy for NYU Grossman School of Medicine Students

Medical students interested in obtaining credit for clinical experience in ophthalmology are expected to do so through official electives offered through NYU Grossman School of Medicine. If you feel there are extenuating circumstances preventing you from being able to schedule an official rotation, we may be able to offer a two-week preceptorship on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Zachary Elkin, MD, medical student director, at Zachary.Elkin@NYULangone.org and Nicole Mazzone, director of education, at Nicole.Mazzone@NYULangone.org if you have any questions.

Ophthalmology Shadowing, Observership, and Research Policy for Non-NYU Grossman School of Medicine Students

At this time, we do not have the capacity to offer external medical students observerships, research opportunities, or shadowing opportunities with our faculty. We hope to be able to do this in the future, but for now we reserve these learning experiences for our internal medical students. We encourage all external medical students interested in our program to apply to our visiting medical student elective.

Please do not contact any of our faculty members directly to inquire about shadowing, observerships, or research projects. If you have any questions or would like any more information about our program, please email OphthalmologyAdminEducation@NYULangone.org.

Ophthalmology Elective for Visiting Medical Students

We also offer four-week elective to visiting medical students who are in their final year of medical school. Learn more about our elective for visiting medical students.

Didactics Training

Students have the opportunity to participate in all departmental didactics including grand rounds and resident lectures. In addition, the Department of Ophthalmology has created an entire medical student–specific virtual curriculum to complement the clinical experience. You have dedicated time throughout your rotations to study the foundation of ophthalmology through remote lectures, journal clubs, and case presentations, all at the appropriate level for a medical student.

How to Apply

Learn more about the electives application process for NYU Grossman School of Medicine students.

Contact Us

If you have questions, contact OphthalmologyAdminEducation@NYULangone.org.