Program Overview

The mission of Vistar Eye Center Optometric Residency is to train qualified optometrists with advanced clinical skills in the treatment and management of ocular disease in a private practice setting.  Program participants will attain advanced competencies in clinical management of ocular disease with an emphasis on co-management with surgical subspecialties.  Through direct patient care, interprofessional collaboration, and scholarly development, residents will gain the skills and confidence necessary to deliver exceptional eye and vision care across a diverse patient population.
Vistar Eye Center provides primary and sub-specialty care to the citizens of Southwest Virginia, with offices in Roanoke, Salem, Botetourt, Blacksburg, Smith Mountain Lake, Wytheville and Martinsville.  Subspecialty care is offered in the areas of retina, glaucoma, pediatrics, oculoplastics, cornea, refractive surgery, cataract surgery, specialty contact lens, and low vision.

  • Application deadline: January 31st
  • Match: First week of March
  • Duration of Residency: 12 Months
  • Accreditation Status: First Year Program – Seeking Accreditation

Application Materials and Procedures:

Applications must include the following in order to be considered complete:

  • Completed application online through the OR Match website.
  • Cover letter briefly stating interest in residency, clinical experience, and goals for the residency year.
  • 3 letters of recommendation from clinical professionals with whom the candidate is familiar and can accurately assess and comment on the resident’s level of commitment and competency.
  • Copy of NBEO scores.
  • Copy of college and optometry school transcripts.
  • Qualified candidates who complete an application will be invited for an interview in February. On-site interview preferred, but virtual interviews will be considered.

Selection Procedure and Admission Criteria:

The residency will follow the policies and process of the OR Match System.

The candidate must:

  • Attain a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from a school or college of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council of Optometric Education.
  • Pass all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exam before the residency program completion date. Residents who do not have a state license at the start of the program due to failure to pass any or all parts of NBEO, must pass all parts of NBEO to obtain licensure within 6 months of the residency program completion date.

Completion Requirements

To receive a Certificate of Residency Completion, the resident must:

  • Deliver evidenced-based patient care services at a level commensurate with the standard of care and satisfactory to those responsible for the supervision of the residency program.
  • Perform in a professional manner, delivery of patient care services and to observe those proprieties of conduct and courtesies that are consistent with the rules and regulations governing Vistar Eye and Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Drexel University.
  • Complete a paper of publishable quality and meet the associated deadlines. It is highly recommended that the paper be submitted for publication.
  • Maintain an accurate patient log of all patients seen during the residency year, including major ocular diagnosis for all patients online using the Meditrek system.
  • Attend and document all other assigned activities, including case reports, journal club topics, clinic and surgical encounters at specialty clinic observations and any other scholarly activities in Meditrek.
  • Present a final presentation on an interesting clinical case seen during residency at Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Drexel University during the Resident Day Continuing Education event in May.
  • Participate in all journal club discussions and present to students and preceptors at case discussions.
  • Achieve satisfactory performance evaluations for all quarters.
  • Complete all assigned evaluations of the residency program, coordinator, and core faculty.
  • Obtain a passing score of all parts of the NBEO examination within 6 months of completion date of the Residency program.

Additional Details

  • Ready to apply? Interested candidates can apply here.