Ophthalmology

The Washington National Eye Center has one of the largest and most complete clinics in the Washington area. Special facilities for argon and YAG laser therapy, ultrasonography, digital fluorescein angiography, electro-retinography, visual fields and corneal topography are available. All exam rooms are fully equipped and several rooms are dedicated to glaucoma and retina exams and contact lens.

Complementing the general clinic are several subspecialty clinics in glaucoma, ocular motility, vitreoretinal diseases, low vision, oculoplastics, orbital disease, uveitis, contact lenses, cornea and external disease, and neuro- ophthalmology. Two operating rooms are reserved exclusively for eye surgery. They are fully equipped with all of the instrumentation required to perform modern ocular surgery.

The WNEC and Washington Hospital Center share a majority interest in a state-of-the-art laser and incisional refractive surgery center, one of the busiest in the country. Residents rotate through this facility in their second year and perform refractive surgical procedures there in the senior year.

Washington National Eye Center Annual Statistical Overview:

Enhancements

The WNEC and Washington Hospital Center provide funding for residents to attend several scientific meetings during their three years of study. These meetings include the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Wills Review Course, the USUHS Cataract Course, and the AFIP Course in Ophthalmic Pathology. Additional funding is available for residents who have been invited to present posters or papers at scientific meetings.

Residents are required to take the OKAP (Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program) exam every year. To facilitate studying for this exam as well as for the boards, the WNEC gives to each resident a complete set of the Academy's Basic and Clinical Science Course Books. Sub-specialty review sessions are conducted before the exam. Each resident also receives a "book fund" that is used to purchase appropriate ophthalmic textbooks.

The largest attending physician staff provides the residents with the opportunity to experience a wide variety of practice habits and surgical techniques. An attending physician is always available for consultation during and after regular hours.

Our laser and incisional refractive surgery center in Rockville, Maryland, is one of the busiest in the United States. Our vitreoretinal service is the busiest in the Washington, DC, area and the third busiest in the United States.

To further encourage research, the WNEC has purchased excellent computer and photographic equipment for use in the production of graphics and slides for residents and attending physician staff members. The Eye Center also maintains its own slide, video and journal library. The Hospital Center's William B. Glew, MD, Health Sciences Library, named after the first full-time chairman of ophthalmology, provides excellent access to current books and journals, as well as to e-mail and the Internet.