Residency Programs

The UAB School of Optometry offers advanced clinical education in specialty areas of optometry through three in-house and three affiliated residency programs. Currently, six residency programs offer a total of 11 positions. All residency programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association.

The UAB School of Optometry places significant emphasis on residency education. It strives to develop, maintain, advance and promote post-doctoral clinical training programs of excellence in the major areas of optometric care.

Requirements

  • Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited professional optometric program
  • Passing score on parts I, II and III of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examinations

How to Apply

All residency programs utilize the ORMatch Residency Matching Service for application.

Contact Us

Director of Residency Programs:
Caroline Beesley Pate, OD, FAAO
(205) 996-6635
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

In-House Programs

Cornea and Contact Lenses

Location: UAB School of Optometry
Program Stipend: $41,456. Eligible for health benefits, and professional liability insurance included.

One position available

The Residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses provides advanced clinical training for postgraduate optometrists. This extensive clinical experience allows residents completing the program to pursue professional opportunities that require a high level of expertise in the area of cornea and contact lenses, including specialty private practice, academia and industry.

Learn more: Cornea and Contact Lenses

Family Practice Optometry

Location: UAB School of Optometry
Program Stipend: $41,456. Eligible for health benefits, and professional liability insurance included.

One position available

The Residency in Family Practice Optometry provides advanced clinical training to postgraduate optometrists. Comprehensive didactic experience, strong clinical foundation in primary eye care and a flexible system of rotations in other areas of family practice optometry allow residents who complete the program to pursue professional opportunities that require a high level of clinical expertise, such as academia or specialty private practice.

Learn more: Family Practice Optometry

Pediatric Optometry

Location: UAB School of Optometry
Program Stipend: $41,456. Eligible for health benefits, and professional liability insurance included.

One position available

The Residency in Pediatric Optometry provides specialty clinical training for postgraduate optometrists. The program provides a unique opportunity for optometrists interested in the vision care of children and special populations and fosters exceptional, independent clinicians who will have the opportunities to excel in areas of patient care, education and research within pediatric optometry.

Learn more: Pediatric Optometry

Affiliated Programs

Geriatric and Low Vision Rehabilitative Optometry

Location: Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Program Stipend: $36,639 per year. Eligible for health benefits, and professional liability insurance included.

Two positions available

The Residency in Geriatric and Low Vision Rehabilitative Optometry at the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center provides optometrists with additional clinical experience in geriatric and rehabilitative optometry that goes beyond the general optometric four-year curriculum. The clinical training in the residency program will result in the resident’s attainment of advanced competencies in eye, vision, health and rehabilitation care. The residency’s comprehensive experience includes participation in the Birmingham VAMC Optometry Resident Clinic, Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center, Outpatient Low Vision Rehabilitation Clinic and the UAB School of Optometry’s Residency Program. The program’s advanced didactic training and strong clinical foundation allow residents who complete the program to pursue professional opportunities that require a high level of clinical expertise, such as specialized optometric practice or academia.

Learn more: Geriatric and Low Vision

Ocular Disease

Location: Omni Eye Services, Atlanta
Program Stipend: $43,500 (13-month program). Eligible for health benefits, and professional liability insurance included.

Four positions available

The Residency in Ocular Disease at Omni Eye Services attracts and selects the best qualified optometric graduates and provides them with concentrated clinical experience and advanced didactic knowledge in secondary care optometry. Training will be provided at a level to allow individuals who complete the program to deliver a high level of secondary eye care, serve as teachers in optometric or other professional environments and serve the profession as experts and leaders in secondary eye care.

Learn more: Ocular Disease

Primary Eye Care/Ocular Disease

Location: Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Program Stipend: $34,888 per year. Eligible for health benefits, and professional liability insurance included.

Two positions available

The Residency in Primary Eye Care/Ocular Disease at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center provides a unique postgraduate experience in a multidisciplinary setting. Residents develop into exceptional optometric clinicians by broadening general skills and mastering additional specialized skills through independent patient care while adhering to supervision guidelines.

Learn more: Primary Eye Care/Ocular Disease