Hey,

I'm interested in the field of Ophthalmology, and I've heard that being published and having a good research background can help for residency placement. I was just wondering what type of research is common for Ophtho applicants and how early one should start. Do most students do clinical research? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

Your first sentence is correct, primarily for the top 10-15 programs that are usually hevaily academic in nature. I think basic science or clinical research is appropriate. I chose basic science because I had an entire year to complete the planning of the experiment and performing the experiment itself. I planned the experiment during the end of my 3rd year before I started 4th year. Nehow take care and good luck.



Hey,

I'm interested in the field of Ophthalmology, and I've heard that being published and having a good research background can help for residency placement. I was just wondering what type of research is common for Ophtho applicants and how early one should start. Do most students do clinical research? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

I did basic science research in neuro-op (including animal model and normal human and patient studies). I'll let you know if it helped on match day! :scared:

iris

I'm doing clinical epidemiology research at Wills (thanks to my MPH!).

I've done basic science research before starting med school and found it rather boring.

I'll let you know in ~2 years if it helped. G'luck.

I agree with all of the posts on this thread. I did a research fellowship sponsored by Research to Prevent Blindness between by 2nd and 3rd years of medical school. I believe that it helped in matching at a "top 10 program." I don't think that the more clinical oriented programs cared much. Re: clinical vs. basic science, do whatever interests you. More important, FIND a good mentor/PI. Don't get led astray by doing research with the "biggest name" in the ophtho dept. Some of those people are excellent physicians and scientists, but aren't really in the lab that much to guide you. 2 months seems like a long time, but in "research time" is more like 2 seconds, especially when you are starting out with a minimal science background. For basic science (and some of the MD/PHDs on this thread can tell you more), you need someone to help you with formulating a hypothesis and experimental design, if you don't have these two foundations all of the experiments and data analysis are for not. I also found it very helpful to make excellent friends with graduate students and post-doctoral fellows during my lab tenure. If your nice and help them out, they take pity on you and teach you techniques and help you troubleshoot. It's also a good way to end up 3rd or 4th author on other people's manuscripts. Collaboration is key! Good luck!

I should also add that there is money available for medical student research in ophthalmology and the visual sciences. Try browsing the Research to Prevent Blindness and Fight for Sight Web Sites! You'll be suprised about how generous these grants can be.