Ophthalmology Interest Group
Ophthalmology Interest Group

Tell me more:The ophthalmology interest group is a student interest group for school of medicine students at the Medical College of Georgia to explore their interest in the field of ophthalmology. Its mission is to support interest in the ophthalmology specialty of medicine and residency programs.
Benefits: » Serves as an avenue for students to explore their interest in ophthalmology.
» Gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in conducting an eye exam.
» Provides students with a way to meet other students with an interest in ophthalmology.
» Gives students the opportunity to meet Ophthalmology attending physicians and resident.
What we do: » Monthly meetings with speakers from the field of ophthalmology.
» Sight Savers training to learn how to use equipment necessary for an eye exam
» Sight Savers screenings
» Dinner with 4th year students who have matched in an ophthalmology residency
Why join? The ophthalmology interest group provides students an avenue to explore their interest in ophthalmology, gain experience, and meet others with an interest in ophthalmology. The ophthalmology interest group also provides students an opportunity to fine tune clinical skills while helping the MCG community through Sigh Savers screenings. Even if you aren't sure about this fascinating field, becoming a member of the ophthalmology interest group will allow you to gain valuable experience in giving a proper eye exam.
Get involved? » Join the Ophthalmology Interest Group email list
» Look out for announcements about the meetings and events
Sight savers

What is it? Sight Savers is a student-run program that conducts free glaucoma screenings in the community. Funded by the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus, we provide the benefits of free screening while simultaneously teaching medical students. We conduct screenings on a monthly basis, welcoming a limited number of volunteers for each screening. There is always an Ophthalmology Resident on site, ensuring the safety of patients, quality of healthcare and education for students.
Patient benefits: » Free screening that includes a history, blood pressure and comprehensive eye exam.
» Early detection of potentially vision-threatening but treatable conditions.
» Referral for follow-up if a risk is detected.
» Helping the wonderful students at MCG learn about Ophthalmology!
Resident benefits: » Learn how to take a thorough eye history and practice eye exam techniques.
» Gain exposure to the field of Ophthalmology and preventative medicine.
» Give back to the community through identifying patients at high-risk for vision loss.
» Work alongside upper level students and Residents who give great insight into the field.
What we do: As a volunteer, you have the opportunity to be involved in the many steps it takes to conduct a glaucoma screening. Medical students are usually staffed at different "stations" at the site including:
» History taking » Blood pressure checking » Eye pressure check » Eye exam » Visual Acuity Check » Visual Fields Exam
About glaucoma Glaucoma is an eye disease associated with optic nerve damage that can lead to progressive, irreversible loss of vision. While commonly associated with increased intraocular pressure, the exact cause of Glaucoma is unknown. » Up to 3,000,000 Americans over 40 have glaucoma.
» As many as 67,000,000 people worldwide have glaucoma.
» It is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the US.
» Approximately HALF of all affected Americans don't know they have glaucoma!
Get involved? » Join the Ophthalmology Interest Group and give us your email.
» Look out for emails about screening dates, times, locations.
» If it's your first time, you will be trained on how to use the equipment, fill out paperwork, etc.
» Sign up for screenings, show up, and help us save sight!
Research opportunities

What you can do: MCG students have the summer off between first and second year. If you are interested in doing research, you can apply for a position at the Vision Discovery Institute or you can find a mentor doing research in ophthalmology and apply for the Dean's Summer Research Fellowship.
Vision Discovery Institute The mission of the Vision Discovery Institute at the Medical College of Georgia is to engage in high impact research and discovery related to visual function and diseases, the outcome of which is expected to have far-reaching clinical applications for patients suffering from blindness and visual disorders. The most common causes of blindness and vision disorders are diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, cataract and corneal disruption. The members of the Vision Discovery Institute engage in clinical and basic science research directly related to understanding and treating these devastating sight-threatening diseases.

Click here to see more.
Dean's Summer Research Fellowship The Dean's Student Summer Research Fellowship Program provides an opportunity for medical students to design and participate in cutting-edge basic and/or clinical research. The Dean of the School of Medicine provides funds for a limited number of Student Research Fellowships. The Program allows for the Dean's Fellows to gain a better understanding of the exciting role of research within the health sciences and develop an interest that may lead to their pursuing a career in academic medicine.

Click here to see more.
How to apply: Students find a mentor with a research project that interests them. They then submit an application including a summary of their proposed project, background information, specific aims/hypotheses, experimental design and literature cited to the program they wish to apply for. Applications are normally due in early February for both programs.
 
Revised January 14th, 2013.   Please send comments, suggestions or questions about this page to Web Manager, lulrich@gru.edu .