Clinical Courses
Stanford School of Medicine has numerous pre-clinical courses and clinical rotations available within the ophthalmology department for students. The full list is available online at: http://medcatalog.stanford.edu/
Pre-clinical courses:
- OPHT 201, 202, and 203. Clinical Topics in Ophthalmology
A 1 unit seminar course that is a excellent introduction to the professional opportunities available to the ophthalmologist in the areas of clinical research, community health, biotech and pharmaceutical development, international blindness prevention, graduate and post-graduate education. It is taught in the Spring (Opht 201), Autumn (Opht 202), and Winter (Opht 203) in consecutive fashion building on one another. Taught by Dr. Douglas Fredrick. - NBIO 220. Central Mechanism in Visual Perception
Contemporary visual neuroscience, emphasizing the neural mechanisms underlying primate vision and visually guided behavior. Seven foundational topics in visual neuroscience; current papers concerning each topic. Student presentations. Computer-based demonstration exercises.
2 to 4 units, Spr (W. Newsome, T. Moore) Alternate years. Not offered 2009-10. - OPHT 280. Early Clinical Experience in Ophthalmology
Provides an early experience in shadowing with an instructor of your choosing.
1 to 2 units, any quarter. - OPHT 299. Directed Reading in Ophthalmology
1 to 18 units, any quarter - OPHT 370. Medical Scholars Research
The required course to enroll in for students receiving medical scholars funding from an advisor in the ophthalmology department.
4 to 18 units, any quarter (Search for instructor in Axess) - OPHT 399. Graduate Research
Students undertake investigations sponsored by individual faculty members.
1 to 18 units, any quarter
Clinical Clerkships in Ophthalmology:
- OPHT 300A. Ophthalmology Clerkship (SUMC)
Weekly lectures covering eye anatomy, the ophthalmologic examination, and the pathophysiology and management of common ophthalmologic diseases. Rotations on the clinical services at SUMC, PAVAMC, and SCVMC, including emergency and operating room experience.
Periods Avail: 2,3,4,7,8,9,10,12. Full-time for 4 weeks. 3 students per period.
Units: 6
Director: Deborah Alcorn, M.D. & Chris Engelman, M.D.
Coord: Susan Senneck (650-498-4242), Room A157. - OPHT 300E. Ophthalmology Clerkship (VAPAHCS, Livermore Division)
Offers a hands on, comprehensive experience focused on sharpening clinical skills in the ophthalmology realm. The students will examine patients with a variety of common and uncommon ophthalmologic conditions, teach patients about their eye diseases and learn to recognize conditions that warrant referral to an ophthalmologist. Learning is enhanced by a unique computer based learning system. Location is in lovely, wine country setting with free housing available.
Prereq: One core clerkship.
Periods Avail: 2B, 3B-12, full-time for 2 weeks only. 1 student per period.
Reporting Instructions: Where: VAPAHCS, Livermore Division, 4951 Arroyo Rd
Units: 3
Director: L. Goldschmidt, M.D.
Coord: Ellen Shibata, MD (925-373-4700 x35106), 4951 Arroyo Road (11), Livermore, CA 94550. - OPHT 302A. Bay Area Ophthalmology Course: Fundamentals in Clinical and Visual Science
Intensive instruction in the basic sciences underlying ophthalmic practice and research. An internationally-recognized collaboration among ophthalmology teaching programs within the Bay Area, with participation by experts from other institutions. Emphasis on theoretical and practical understanding of the basic vision sciences. At the conclusion of the clerkship, participants are expected to have basic knowledge in both introductory and applied fundamentals of ophthalmology and vision science. Daily lectures. Laboratory sessions include optics, orbital anatomy, pathology, Phacoemulsification wet Lab, and diagnostic testing and imaging. Elements stressed include visual optics; genetics; microbiology; epidemiology; anatomy; pathology, pharmacology; ocular inflammation; glaucoma; neuro-ophthalmology; testing and imaging modalities; refractive surgery and contact lens; ocular motility, strabismus and amblyopia; disorders of the cornea and ocular surface, anterior segment and lens, pupil, retina and vitreous, optic nerve, eyelids and orbit. Medical students will spend will spend one half day per week in Ophthalmology clinic with the Chief Resident and/or faculty, participating in examinations, watching surgery, and performing consultations.
Prereq: Pathology, Physiology, Embryology, Pharmacology.
Periods Avail: Period 1, full-time for 4 weeks, 30 students per period.
Reporting Instructions: Contact Judy Roberts, 650-725-5572, .
Units: 6
Director: Glenn Cockerham, M.D.
Coord: Judy Roberts, 300 Pasteur Dr., A157. 650-725-5572, . - OPHT 398A. Elective in Ophthalmology (SUMC)
Provides an opportunity for a student in the clinical years to have an individualized clinical experience in Ophthalmology. The quality and duration of the elective will be decided by both the student and a faculty preceptor in the Department of Ophthalmology. Please note: Students cannot add 398A clerkships directly to their fishbowl schedules through the regular shuffles. Please contact Caroline Cheang in the Office of Student Services at or 650-498-7619 with the faculty preceptor’s name and email address to add this clerkship.
Prereq: Ophthalmology 300A or comparable; consent of Faculty Clinical Clerkship Coordinator and approval by Advisor.
Periods Avail: 1-12.
Units: 1 to 12
Director: Chris Engelman, M.D. & Deborah Alcorn, M.D.
Coord: Susan Senneck (650-498-4242), Room A157. - INDE 310A. Continuity of Care Clerkship
In the Continuity of Care Clerkship, students work with a preceptor in any field of medicine, including Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and the subspecialties. They are released from other clerkships for one afternoon a week for their continuity clinic as well as a monthly didactic session. Students participating in this clerkship work with one faculty preceptor and his/her patients for 9 months. This continuity experience allows students to establish a mentoring relationship with their preceptor, to see a cohort of patients repeatedly over time, and to gain insight into patient care and chronic disease management over time. Ophthalmology attendings who have participated in the past include: Glenn Cockerham at the Palo Alto VA, Douglas Fredrick at Packard, Steve Sanislo at the CA Vitreoretinal Center, and Kuldev Singh at Blake Wilbur.
Prereq: Medicine 300A, 301A or 333A or Peds 300A
Periods Avail: Can start any period.
Reporting Instructions: Please contact the clerkship director or coordinator 3-4 weeks prior to the first week of the clerkship.
Units: 6 DropCode: Call Code: 0 (varies according to preceptor)
Director: Eva Weinlander, M.D. (650-723-7624, evaew@stanford.edu)
Other Faculty: E. Weinlander and other precepting physicians and lecturers.
Coord: Art Johnson (650-723-9621), email; avjohn@stanford.edu
