Through lectures, demonstrations, discussions and clinical practice, students from the LSUHSC School of Medicine and from other medical schools around the globe have numerous opportunities to gain knowledge and experience in ophthalmology.

Comprehensive Third-Year Medical Student Course

All LSUHSC third-year medical students participate in one of the most comprehensive introductory eye care courses in the country.   All doctors must have a basic knowledge of the eye and eye examinations. This intensive two-week program helps these doctors-in-training to become better doctors no matter what career path or specialty they choose.   Instruction includes lectures, reading and audiovisual assignments, discussion, workshops, observations, and demonstrations.  

Students in small groups receive practical and personalized training in examination procedures and the use of ophthalmic instruments.   Actual examination experience provides exposure to indicators of minor and major ophthalmic diseases, as well as significant ophthalmic findings associated with many disorders. The students learn ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment techniques required of a general physician including history taking, diagnosis, and treatment of the visual system.  

Optional activities include Advanced Eye Exam Workshops, community office or clinic visits, surgery observation, and tours of the Tours of LSU Eye Center including the AccessGrid room, Fakespace M1 Immersadesk, and laboratories.

Students complete the program with the knowledge they will need to treat their patients, as well as when it is necessary to refer a patient to an ophthalmic specialist.

Ophthalmology 300

Third and Fourth Year Student Electives

Third and fourth year students can select from a variety of clinical and research electives to further enhance their knowledge and interest in ophthalmology.   These research and clinical courses provide extensive exposure to the clinical practice of ophthalmology and to the basic scientific knowledge on which it rests.  

Clinical electives

Students may participate in clinical activities with a senior resident or faculty member to gain further insights into patient management, disease treatment, and surgery.   Areas of study include clerkships in general ophthalmology, glaucoma, oculoplastic surgery, and cornea and refractive surgery.

Laboratory Vision Research Electives

Students participate in all phases of laboratory experimentation with a primary emphasis on laboratory vision research. Topics include mechanisms of corneal inflammation and wound healing; neurobiology of disease; confocal microscopy of the living eye; immune response to experimental ocular herpetic infection; studies of herpes simplex virus ocular disease; hyperspectral imaging to measure oxygen saturation in the eye to diagnose ocular vascular disorders ; physiology and biophysics of transport processes in the cornea; and ocular implant biocompatibility and tear film studies.

Clinical Vision Research Electives

Students attend rounds, conferences and lectures and participate in various aspects of clinical research in progress. Topics include clinical features and pathogenesis of Graves ' orbitopathy; orbital and telemedical applications and eyelid implant designs and lacrimal gland disorders; and application of corneal topography analysis.

Visiting Students

Fourth-year medical students from other colleges and universities may be eligible to participate in one or two 4-week rotations.   Visiting students rotate with residents through the ophthalmology services at the LSU Eye Center Clinics and at Medical Center of New Orleans Hospitals.   (Please see residency section for further description of these institutions).  Visiting students receive credit from their school.   Evaluations are based on the crediting school's standards.  

For more information, please contact Student Affairs or call (504) 568-4874.