Ophthalmology Residency

Our three-year, fully accredited Ophthalmology Residency Program offers comprehensive training and extensive surgical experience, preparing residents to enter directly into practice after graduation, or to continue their education through a competitive fellowship program.

Comprehensive Ophthalmology Training, Opportunities for Research

In existence since 1964, our residency program's goal is to train residents to become comprehensive ophthalmologists. Our residents attain broad and extensive experience in the general ophthalmology clinics at Albany Medical Center and Albany Stratton VA Hospital, as well as in our subspecialty clinics in cornea, neuro-ophthalmology, glaucoma, oculoplastics, retina, ophthalmic pathology, and pediatrics.

Our dedicated faculty ensure our residents receive the highest level of training, while the Lions Eye Institute and the newly renovated VA Eye Clinic offer state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for learning. Residents are involved either as the primary surgeon or as the assistant in the approximately 1,000 eye surgeries performed each year at Albany Medical Center, Lions Eye Institute, and the VA hospital. Direct supervision of the residents is provided at all facilities by our full-time faculty.

Our residents also take advantage of our emphasis on research, participating in ongoing research projects or initiating their own, and presenting their research at our annual Resident Research Conference. Support is also available for residents to present their work at national meetings.

In addition, didactic lectures and conferences are scheduled throughout the year covering all of the basic science and subspecialty topics in ophthalmology.

Resident Resources

About the Albany Med Health System
Albany Medical Center, the anchor of the Albany Med Health System, is one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York State offering a wide range of outstanding clinical care – from routine preventative care to sophisticated cancer and surgical care to life-saving emergency medicine – while teaching the next generation of medical providers and advancing critical biomedical research.

Living in the Capital Region
Albany is a great place to live, learn and work. It is the center of a region known for its robust economy, arts and culture, colleges and universities and recreational opportunities.

Resident Wellness
As a resident or fellow of Albany Medical Center, there are many resources available to you to help manage the demands of being a physician. Our goal is to promote work-life balance and overall wellness by advocating for you and providing you with the tools to reduce burnout, depression, and other stressors you may encounter during your training.

Distinction in Quality and Leadership
This program promotes professional success for physicians through a deeper understanding of Health Systems Science.

Matthew Habib, MD quote
The program here in Albany is great! All the attendings are very approachable and my fellow residents are very supportive. We have an excellent volume for both consults and surgery, so I know I will be ready to practice on my own when I’m done. The diversity of places we work gives us experience in practicing in all different settings and the chance to see all kinds of pathology.”
Matthew Habib, MD