Here are my final thoughts from when I rotated/interviewed at Vandy as a 4th year (written for people at my med school applying after me):
Vanderbilt is a solid program. The eye institute is stand-alone and very nice, and they see tons of pathology and are busy in clinic. VEI itself feels a little like a private practice facility, and the patients often reflect that. The university and children's hospitals are fabulous. No real weak areas-particularly strong in retina (Sternberg, Agarwal-Gass protege, Kim-uveitis, Daniels-ocular onc, Law-associate PD, etc.), plastics-Dr.Mawn, peds, and solid in cornea and glaucoma. Lower cataract numbers (120-ish) even though they have 2 VAs and very high clinical volume. Not sure why this was exactly and was not clarified. Numbers in other areas were pretty good and well-balanced. The interviews were almost all behavioral and, with some exceptions, more intense than other programs. The residents here were super nice and a big plus for the program. They have strong match lists for fellowship, some still go comprehensive. The PD is excellent-very bright, thoroughly involved in resident education. The residents helped create a night float system and "consult resident" in response to the rough call and it has apparently been a success, though call as upper-levels can be rough (large medical center that also gets a lot of trauma). In my opinion a top tier program or very close to it, but you may work longer hours with more scut than other places, and it may be better suited for those going into academics/fellowship as the surgical numbers are low-average. Its major advantages are in subspecialty exposure, top affiliated hospitals, great location (Nashville is an awesome city), great residents, and a strong PD.