Optometry Residency

Ocular Disease and Primary Eye Care Optometry Residency

Mission Statement

The Flaum Eye Institute at the University of Rochester is affiliated with SUNY State College of Optometry and is committed to providing full-scope ocular disease training at the post-doctoral level. The strong didactic and clinical components of this program build on principles of continuous learning to provide a challenging and rewarding residency. Upon the completion of our program, residents will be prepared to excel at providing the highest level of optometric care in hospitals, private practices and educational institutions.

Program Overview

This program is part of the Ophthalmology department at the University of Rochester located in a hospital setting in an inner city with satellite locations in suburban and rural areas. This will allow residents to work with different populations and a broad range of ocular conditions. There will be diverse and challenging patient care experiences in the areas of ocular disease, including but not limited to, retina, glaucoma, cornea, neuro-ophthalmology as well as primary care. This unique setting provides both surgical and medical co-management opportunities. In addition, the residents will have extended rotations in LASIK co-management, low vision, pediatrics and medical contact lens, providing a good foundation in each of these areas, as well as opportunities to coordinate this exposure with individual resident interest.  Residents will be providing primary eye exams that often include the ordering and interpreting of tests such as, optical coherence tomography, visual fields, corneal topography, anterior and posterior segment photography.

Meet Our Current Residents

Emily Zimmerman, O.D.
Doctorate of Optometry: SUNY College of Optometry
MBA: SUNY College of Optometry
Undergraduate Degree: Binghamton University.

Hiral Patel, O.D.
Doctorate of Optometry: Chicago College of Optometry
Graduate Degree: Midwestern University
Undergraduate Degree: University of Missouri-Kansas City

Past Residents

Elaine L. Ho, O.D.

"One of the most comprehensive residencies offered! I feel prepared to tackle the majority of the cases that walk into my chair. You will meet a lot of great faculty, mentors and patients. There is also plenty of places to explore around the area!!"
 

Lydie T. Tubene, O.D.

"The residency program at Flaum Eye Institute prepared to face challenging cases with confidence. The Faculty helped me refine my skills and clinical approach, and over time felt like a second family. I enjoyed the variety of clinics along with journal club and grand rounds"

Past Resident Posters & Presentations

Tubene, Lydie T. (2023). Photoreceptor Atrophy following Terson's Syndrome. Poster Presented at the American Academy of Optometry, New Orleans LA. 

Tubene, Lydie T., and Shearer, Melanie (2024). Peripapillary Cotton Wool Spots and Visual Field Defect Associated with Acute Pulmonary Embolism and Atrial Fibrillation. Poster presented at the Heart of America Eye Care Congress, Kansas City, MO.

Tubene, Lydie T., and Shearer, Melaine (2024). Ocular Toxicity of Immunotherapy​ for Metastatic Melanoma. Poster presented at the Southeastern Congress of Optometry, Atlanta GA.

Tubene, Lydie T., Ocular Toxicity of Emerging Antineoplastic Agents. Presented at Resident Presentation at SUNY Optometry School. March 2024 [COPE APPROVED]

Ho, Elaine L. (2023) Isoniazid-Induced Bilateral Optic Neuropathy. Poster Presented at the American Academy of Optometry, New Orleans LA. 

Ho, Elaine L., and Dickerson, Kenneth (2024). Amniotic Membrane for Alkaline Chemical Keratitis. Poster presented at the Heart of America Eye Care Congress, Kansas City, MO.

Ho, Elaine L., and Shearer, Melaine (2024). A Viral Case: Bilateral NAION Following Viral Encephalitis. Poster presented at the Southeastern Congress of Optometry, Atlanta GA.

Ho, Elaine L., An Atypical Presentation of Squamous cell Carcinoma and Management.  Presented at Resident Presentation at SUNY Optometry School. March 2024 [COPE APPROVED]

Program Curriculum

Educational Opportunities

1 to 2 half days a week of educational opportunities will be provided. Educational lectures will consist of lectures provided by ophthalmologists, optometrists, monthly journal clubs, monthly grand rounds and educational programs through our SUNY affiliate. 

SUNY “Friday Programs” are a mix of remote learning and in person events. It is expected that the Resident will travel to New York City for the mandatory in person events.

Clinical Training

• Medical contact lens
• Low vision
• Pediatric eye care
• LASIK Co-management
• Ordering and interpretation of optical coherence tomography, visual fields, corneal topography, anterior and posterior segment photography as well as training in a variety advanced diagnostic modalities
• Opportunity to explore specialized care in areas such as oculoplastics, ocular genetics, uveitis and ocular oncology

Residents will practice at the following locations:
Strong Memorial Hospital (main campus)
Brighton
College Town
Geneva
Meridian Centre
Pittsford
South Clinton/ABVI
Webster

Research and Scholarly Responsibilities

• Residents will be required to present a minor (20 minute), a major (50 minute equivalent 1 hour COPE approved lecture) through our SUNY association and a publishable quality paper.
• Residents will be expected to present at least one case report at URMC ophthalmology grand rounds. The resident will be expected to submit a poster application for a nationally recognized conference.
• Participation in a monthly to bi-weekly journal review

Teaching Responsibilities

Residents will be responsible for working with medical students in routine eye care settings. Participating in refraction training for ophthalmology students.

Our complete Residency Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives and Curriculum can be found at the following link. 

Applications

Applications can be made through the ORMatch

Faculty

Brooke Donaher, OD, FAAO
Optometry Chief
Phone: (585) 276-6104
Email: Brooke_Donaher@urmc.rochester.edu

Jessica daSilva, OD
Residency Supervisor
Phone: (585) 276-6104
​Email: jessica_dasilva@urmc.rochester.edu

Michael Caruso, OD
Wei Theresa Chen, O.D.
Kenneth R. Dickerson, OD 
Anthony Dell'Anno, OD
Michael DePaolis, OD
Therese Farugia, OD
Blain Germain, OD
Jennifer Krech, OD
Robert Ryan, OD
Melanie Shearer, OD

Additional Links

For more information about our affiliated residency school sponsor and additional programs please visit Residency Programs - SUNY College of Optometry (sunyopt.edu)

Visit the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) to learn more about optometric residency programs.

For more information on optometric residencies and accreditation you can contact the ACOE at accredit@theacoe.org, call 1-800-365-2219 or visit www.theacoe.org