The Duke University Residency Training Program in Ophthalmology is one of the most highly regarded ophthalmology programs in the nation. The goal of the program is to train highly competent and ethical physicians who can contribute to their field either as comprehensive ophthalmologists or as subspecialists.
Duke has been training excellent professionals in eye care since the 1940s and has graduated more than 400 ophthalmologists, with many entering into academic positions. The residency program includes three full years of ophthalmology training as well as an integrated internal medicine internship year, which includes three months of early ophthalmology exposure. The residency program includes both clinical and surgical training in each of the subspecialty areas as well as in comprehensive ophthalmology. Residents also rotate through local Veterans Administration Hospitals. A broad spectrum of intradepartmental and university-wide research opportunities exists for interested residents.
Through a unique elective program, Duke ophthalmology residents are able to spend a rotation during their final year of training pursuing an experience tailored to their individual research or clinical interests (whether around the country or around the world) to help jump start their future careers. Past residents have taken part in laboratory research, worked with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, and participated in international humanitarian eye care efforts. Previous residents have traveled to Tanzania, India, Singapore, Syria, and Nepal.
The Department of Ophthalmology maintains a chief resident position, typically filled by a graduate of the residency program. The chief resident leads morning rounds on weekdays, providing a daily forum for discussion of challenging diagnostic problems, previous admissions, surgical management, and administrative issues.
Perhaps the greatest strength of the Duke Eye Center is the quality and breadth of the faculty in the Department of Ophthalmology. The full-time faculty consists of more than 80 clinicians and researchers across all ophthalmology subspecialty areas. These individuals are highly accomplished and productive academicians, and a number are considered leaders in their fields. Without exception, the faculty members enjoy teaching and contribute their time and energy generously to the Residency Training Program.
Celebrating the Duke Ophthalmology Class of 2025
Duke Eye Center celebrated the 2025 class graduating residents and fellows on June 14, 2025 during a heartfelt ceremony honoring their accomplishments, dedication, and bright futures.
We were honored to have Bennie Jeng, MD Chair of the Scheie Eye Institute at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, as our keynote speaker for the Duke Ophthalmology Scientific Sessions—also known as Residents and Fellows Day—held the day prior.
McElroy Honored with Machemer Resident Research Award
Gregory McElroy, MD, PhD is the recipient of the 2024-2025 Machemer Resident Research Award. Results from his research project, "Expression of yeast NDI1 as a neuroprotective approach in a mouse model of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy" will be presented at the Trainee Scientific Sessions in June. His mentor is Sidney Gospe, MD, PhD.
Duke Residents Honored with Resident ASCRS Excellence Award
Duke Eye Resident Accepted to ASRS Underrepresented in Retina Mentorship Program
Duke Eye Center is thrilled to announce that Duke PGY-3 resident, Richard Morgan, MD, PhD, has been accepted into the prestigious American Society of Retina Specialists’ (ASRS) Underrepresented in Retina Mentorship Program. This groundbreaking initiative is designed to cultivate diversity within the field by providing invaluable mentorship opportunities to residents from underrepresented backgrounds. Through this program, mentees like Dr.
Two Duke Eye Residents Honored with ASCRS Excellence Award
Two Duke Eye Center Residents, Cason Robbins, MD, PGY3 and Rami Gabriel, MD, PGY4 were honored with the 2024 Resident ASCRS Excellence Award. This award will provide a travel grant, four nights accommodation, and complimentary registration to the 2024 ASCRS meeting, along with invitations to select leadership and social events.
Duke at AUPO 2024
Vajzovic to Receive Mentorship Award at Vit-Buckle Society Annual Meeting
Congratulations to Duke Ophthalmology Class of 2023!
Duke Eye Center had the pleasure of celebrating our graduating residents, fellows, and optech students last week at the 2023 Trainee Graduation Banquet. We are so proud of our graduates and grateful to have been a part of their training. We can't wait to see the contributions they will make in the field of ophthalmology and beyond!
Duke Ophthalmology Ranks 10th Nationally in NIH Funding
Duke School of Medicine has received more than $527 million in federal funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH) in 2022, ranking ninth nationally, according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. Duke Ophthalmology is one of eight clinical science departments and two basic science departments in the School of Medicine to rank among the top 10 in the country - receiving over $10 million in NIH funding in 2022.
Duke is the Lead Site for Atmosphere and Ascent Trials
Duke Eye Center is participating in two pivotal gene therapy clinical trials, ATMOSPHERE and ASCENT that may become promising treatments for age-related macular degeneration. The studies, are large multisite trials, and Duke is the lead site for ASCENT and Lejla Vajzovic, MD is the lead PI for the trial.