UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute The Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute
by name
Afshari, Natalie A. Baxter, Sally L. Borooah, Shyamanga Brown, Stuart I. Camp, Andrew Do, Jiun Ferreyra, Henry A. Freeman, William R. Goldbaum, Michael H. Granet, David B. Haw, Weldon W. Heichel, Chris W. Hennein, Lauren Huang, Alex A. Huang, Lingling Kikkawa, Don O. Kline, Lanning Korn, Bobby S. Lee, Jeffrey E. Liu, Catherine Y. Moghimi, Sasan Movaghar, Mansoor Nguyen, Thao P. Nudleman, Eric Puig-Llano, Manuel Robbins, Shira L. Rudell, Jolene Savino, Peter J. Scott, Nathan L. Spencer, Doran B. Toomey, Christopher B. Vasile, Cristiana Weinreb, Robert N. Welsbie, Derek S.
by specialty
Comprehensive Ophthalmology Cornea & Cataracts Dry Eye Clinic Glaucoma Neuro-Ophthalmology Ocular Oncology Ophthalmic Genetics Ophthalmic Pathology Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Ophthalmology Informatics and Data Science Optometry & Low Vision Pediatric Ophthalmology & Eye Alignment Disorders Refractive Surgery / LASIK Retina & Vitreous Thyroid Eye Clinic Uveitis
by condition
AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration) Cataracts Corneal Conditions Cosmetic Surgery Diabetic Retinopathy Eye Cancer Eye Movement Disorders Glaucoma Hereditary (Genetic) Disorders Low Vision Neuro-Ophthalmic Conditions Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Pediatric Conditions Refractive Errors Retinal Diseases Strabismus (Strabimus) Thyroid Eye Disease Uveitis
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Residency Benefits

Ophthalmology residents at UCSD enjoy an array of benefits and resources provided by the UCSD Office of Graduate Medical Education (GME) as well as from the Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute. These include the following:

Salary:

The salary scale for AY 2023-2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024) is listed below:

  • PGY1: $80,388
  • PGY2: $82,695
  • PGY3: $85,521
  • PGY4: $88,471

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

UCSD offers generous insurance coverage for housestaff and dependents. For full details, please see the latest information on the UC Resident Benefits page.

Retirement

As a resident, you can start contributing to retirement savings via multiple tax-favorable vehicles offered by the University of California, including the mandatory Defined Contribution Plan (DCP) and the voluntary 403(b) and 457(b) plans. These plans are operated through Fidelity Investments. Learn more about retirement benefits.

Licensure, Certifications, & Exams

UCSD GME offers financial support for your California medical license, so residents do not need to pay for this directly out of pocket. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) application fees are waived for residents at UCSD. In addition, residents are eligible for reimbursement of costs associated with USMLE Step III exams.

Housing Stipend

All housestaff at UCSD receive $10,000 in housing stipend (as of Academic Year 2023-2024) to help offset costs of living in San Diego. UCSD GME and the San Diego House Staff Association Union determine how funds are disbursed (e.g., as monthly installments vs. lump sum payments).

On-call Meals

UCSD housestaff receive meal funding on their ID cards to be able to buy food from eligible dining venues at the health system, both in La Jolla and Hillcrest. As of 2023-2024, the meal support consists of $200 per month.

Meals with Didactics

The department provides support for catered lunches for the residents every Monday with the didactic lecture series. These lunches are typically catered from leading area establishments with a wide range of cuisines based on residents’ preferences.

BCSC Books

The department purchases the AAO Basic and Clinical Science Course along with the AAO’s Practical Ophthalmology: A Manual for Beginning Residents. These are sent to our residents during their PGY1 year to help them get started on their ophthalmology course material. These textbooks are valued at over $1500.

Education Funds

The department provides approximately $500 per year from PGY2 to PGY4 for residents to use on educational supplies such as textbooks or online educational materials.

Equipment Fund

An additional $300 is provided for residents to use at any time during their residency for the purchase of equipment such as loupes or lenses.

Clothing / Embroidery

The department supports each resident in obtaining 3 embroidered items, which includes white coats, scrubs, and/or jacket.

Support for conference attendance

Airfare and lodging are supported by the Ophthalmology department for residents presenting as first author at national meetings, up to $800 per resident per conference.

Vacation

Residents get four weeks of vacation per year, as well as state and federal holidays. Time off is scheduled into rotations early in the year in either one- or two-week blocks. Additional time is allotted for residents presenting at national meetings or attending fellowship or practice interviews.

Other Benefits

Other assorted benefits provided by the department for residents include the following:

  • Paid membership to the California Academy of Eye Physicians & Surgeons
  • Mileage reimbursement for travel among required clinical sites while on rotations
  • Assistance with procuring complimentary membership in the American Academy of Ophthalmology

UCSD Virtual Tour

Alumni Testimonials

UCSD Glaucoma Fellows

Interview with Residency Director, Jeff Lee, MD

Meet Robyn And Learn More About The Program

UCSD Applicants



More Questions?

Contact us for any remaining questions about residency at Shiley Eye Institute.

Research

The Shiley Eye Institute is a full-service facility offering everything from basic eye exams to the most advanced diagnostic tests and sophisticated surgery from world-renowned physicians and staff.
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Directions

9415 Campus Point Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0946

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