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A Guide to Optometry Fellowships

Bryce St. Clair, OD, MPH, FAAO

Bryce St. Clair, OD, MPH, FAAO

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Learn why optometry students should consider pursuing a fellowship to refine their skills, what to look for in a program, and how to apply for one.

Image of an optometry student considering different optometry fellowships, such as ocular disease, cornea and contact lenses, pediatrics, and low vision.
For students looking to explore the world of postdoctoral training after graduation, the choice between doing a fellowship or a residency may be weighing heavily on their minds. According to ORMatch, the official match system for optometry residencies, approximately 1 in 4 optometrists choose to pursue a residency.1
In fact, the number of optometrists completing residencies has seen steady growth over the past two decades, reflecting a rising interest in advanced clinical training.2,3 In the 2023 to 2024 cycle, there were 522 applicants registered and 367 matched, which is a 77% match rate of applicants.3 In earlier years (2014 to 2021), the match rate ranged around 70 to 74% of applicants.4
However, even fewer residents continue on to an optometric fellowship program. This article will outline the reasons a fellowship might be the right choice for you and will offer advice on choosing the right program for you.

Residency vs. fellowship: Understanding the differences

First, it is important to understand the similarities and differences between residencies and fellowships. While both are well-respected, optometric fellowship opportunities are not widely advertised or consolidated in a central database, making them less accessible to the general public.
Moreover, one of the primary dissimilarities is that optometry residency programs are certified by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), whereas fellowships are typically not. There are several other distinctions of which to be aware.

Residency

Optometric residencies are typically 1-year programs that many fourth-year students apply for before graduation from optometry school. Some programs, like SUNY’s combined graduate vision science degree, the University of Chicago–Illinois College of Optometry’s, and Drexel’s neuro-ophthalmic disease residencies, are 2-year programs. Although less common, practicing optometrists can also apply for fellowships.
As a resident, matriculants practice fully as an optometric physician under the guidance of another doctor. However, unlike fourth-year extern rotations, each resident is held to a higher standard of advanced clinical competencies, including a specialty area, such as primary eyecare, cornea and contact lenses, pediatrics, binocular vision/vision therapy, low vision rehabilitation, or ocular disease.
Many of these specializations provide overlap in neuro-optometry, advanced surgical care, and others. Residents are required to attend grand rounds presentations, journal clubs, and apply to present posters or lectures at any one of several national conferences. Some residents help facilitate research, attend fourth-year students, and/or run on-call protocol with their respective programs.

Fellowship

Optometric fellowships can vary between a 1- or 2-year commitment to a program in another specialty area. Some fellowship programs also offer a Master’s degree or another advanced certification, along with completing a residency. Many fellowships even require a completed residency before application.
Fellowships generally involve a research component and subspecialization that builds on residency education, while some are primarily clinical. Fellows also precept residents where applicable as well as fourth-year students.
Within the American Academy of Optometry, there are three categories of fellows:5
  1. Clinical Candidates: Licensed or accredited optometrists practicing at the highest legal level in their jurisdiction and actively engaged in clinical care. All clinical candidates must submit at least one case report.
  2. Scientific Candidates: Individuals primarily focused on vision science research, typically holding an advanced degree in the field and having published in scientific journals. A minimum of three first-authored scientific publications is required before applying.
  3. Special Category Candidates: Includes administrators, educators, consultants, editors, librarians, and others who have made significant contributions to optometry or vision science, but are not in active clinical practice or research. Each candidate must submit at least one original paper—either a 1,200-word (10 points) or 6,000-word (50 points) paper.

Requirements for optometry fellowships

Fellowship requirements for the American Academy of Optometry include:5
  • Accrue 50 points that you acquire through:
    • Case reports (10 points each)
    • Publications (10 points each)
    • Posters and papers (10 points each)
    • Academy lecture (10 points each)
    • Residency (accredited by the ACOE) or other graduate degree (20 points maximum)
    • Leadership contribution (10 points maximum)
    • Professionally related book (20 points maximum)
    • Original 6,000-word paper (50 points)
    • Original 1,200-word paper (10 points)
    • Synopsis of five consultative services provided to practitioners (10 points each)
    • Synopsis of educational coursework the candidate has given related to the profession of optometry (10 points each)
  • Once you achieve the amount of points required, you go in front of the board for an oral interview

Reasons to choose the fellowship route

Pursuing a fellowship can provide another specialty training that distinguishes graduates as experts in their respective fields of optometry. For some, completing fellowship education, in conjunction with residency, can help strengthen their resume and provide a competitive edge when applying for roles in academia, industry, or surgical specialty clinics.
Others may leverage fellowship to refine their expertise further by blending specialties and serving specific patient populations. For instance, a doctor who has completed a pediatric residency might pursue a fellowship in low vision or specialty contact lenses, positioning themselves as a key referral source for children with visual impairments or special needs.
This combined training not only deepens their understanding of pediatric blindness but also opens doors to speaking engagements, expert panels, and leadership roles in hospital settings, ultimately building national and international recognition in eyecare.
Five compelling reasons to pursue an optometry fellowship may include:
  1. Specialized expertise and differentiation: A fellowship allows you to gain advanced training in a specific niche beyond what a standard residency offers, which can set you apart in a competitive market.6
  2. Better career opportunities and marketability: Completing a fellowship expands your professional options—academia, subspecialty clinical practice, research, industry, or hospital-based roles—as these credentials can make you more attractive to employers.7
  3. Access to research, teaching, and leadership roles: Many fellowships incorporate scholarly work, teaching, mentorship, and leadership development. This strengthens your academic profile and offers broader roles in the profession.8
  4. Enhanced professional credibility and networking: A fellowship often brings recognition, professional credibility, and access to specialty groups, mentors, and networks.
  5. Greater ability to impact patient care and the field: With deeper clinical or research training, you can offer more advanced services, manage complex cases, innovate in practice models, or contribute to the profession’s advancement.9

Things to look for in a fellowship

When exploring fellowship training programs, consider the practice setting and structure. Will you be working in a high-volume clinic? How much autonomy will you have?
Is the program based in a private practice, hospital system, or academic medical center? Most importantly, think about your long-term career goals; how will this fellowship help you achieve them?
Table 1: List of programs offered by various universities that include fellowships to help you in deciding which fellowship might be the best fit.
List of programs offered by various universities that include fellowships to help in deciding which fellowship might be the best fit.
Table 1: Courtesy of Bryce St. Clair, OD, MPH, FAAO.

Tips for applying for an optometry fellowship

Start early

Begin researching residency and fellowship programs well in advance, using resources like this guide and ORMatch to find programs available in the upcoming match cycle. You can also explore more detailed residency options through ASCO’s optometry residency database. Know what each program requires during their application process and keep a list of important deadlines.
For example, below are the required materials for the University of Illinois’ hospital-based fellowship in advanced, medically necessary contact lenses:
  • Letter of intent/future professional career plan
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Graduate school transcript
  • Board score report

Reach out

Connecting with current fellows can provide valuable insight into the day-to-day experience of the program. Most are open to questions and eager to share why they chose their program and may offer helpful advice on the application process.

Make yourself known

Attend residency fairs at conferences or proactively connect with program directors early in your optometric career. This can demonstrate your passion and commitment and help you stand out to prospective programs.

Highlight your unique strengths

When starting your application, emphasize what sets you apart from other applicants. Whether it’s specific research interests, unique clinical experiences, or leadership roles, make sure to showcase what you bring to the table.

Links to available optometry fellowships

To view each college's offerings, assess the application process, and see program requirements, visit the sites below:
  1. University of Alabama, Birmingham - School of Optometry
    1. Ocular surface disease
  2. University of the Incarnate Word - Rosenberg School of Optometry
    1. Optometric medicine and surgery
    2. Sports vision
  3. The Ohio State University - College of Optometry
    1. Advanced practice
    2. Binocular vision and pediatrics
    3. Contact lenses
    4. Low vision rehabilitation
    5. Primary/Community eyecare
  4. Veterans Administration - Optometry Education and Training
    1. Gerontology
    2. Polytrauma/Traumatic brain injury rehabilitation
  5. Oregon Health & Sciences University - Casey Eye Institute
    1. Contact lens
  6. Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute
    1. Low vision rehabilitation
  7. University of Illinois, Chicago - Department of Ophthalmology
    1. Contact lenses
    2. Glaucoma
  8. University of California, San Diego - Shiley Eye Institute
    1. Glaucoma
  9. University of Houston - College of Optometry
    1. Specialty contact lens
    2. Ocular surgery
    3. Community-based care
  10. Charles Retina Institute
    1. Retina

Final thoughts

Ultimately, the decision to pursue a residency, a fellowship, or both will be influential in your career aspirations and the level of expertise you wish to achieve in patient care. While residency provides a strong clinical foundation, a fellowship can further refine your skills, open specialized career paths, and position you as a leader in your field.
Whether your goal is to excel in patient care, contribute to research, or advance within academia, exploring fellowship opportunities can be a valuable step toward professional growth. Evaluating fellowship programs carefully can ensure you make an informed decision that sets you apart in the ever-evolving field of optometry.
  1. American Optometric Association. Residency Programs. Accessed October 24, 2025. https://www.aoa.org/education/studying-optometry/residency-programs.
  2. Optometry Residencies Rise for Third Year in a Row. Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. Published April 8, 2018. Accessed October 24, 2025. https://optometriceducation.org/news/optometry-residencies-rise-for-third-year-in-a-row/.
  3. Optometry Residency Match Statistics 2024. National Matching Services Inc. Accessed October 24, 2025. https://natmatch.com/ormatch/stats/2024ormatchstats.pdf.
  4. Optometry Resident Numbers. Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. Accessed October 24, 2025. https://optometriceducation.org/files/Resident-Numbers.pdf.
  5. Become a Fellow. American Academy of Optometry. Accessed October 24, 2025. https://aaopt.org/membership/candidates-fellows/become-a-fellow/.
  6. Optometry Fellowship Program. University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine. Accessed October 24, 2025. https://chicago.medicine.uic.edu/ophthalmology-visual-sciences/education/fellowship-programs/optometry-fellowship/.
  7. Fellowship Opportunity. New England College of Optometry. Accessed October 24, 2025. https://www.neco.edu/academics/residency-programs/fellowship-opportunity/.
  8. St. Clair B. Fellowships vs. Residencies. Optometry Students. February 14, 2019. Accessed October 24, 2025. https://www.optometrystudents.com/articles/fellowships-vs-residencies/.
  9. Optometry Education and Training. US Department of Veterans Affairs. Accessed October 24, 2025. https://www.va.gov/OPTOMETRY/Education_and_Training.asp.
Bryce St. Clair, OD, MPH, FAAO
About Bryce St. Clair, OD, MPH, FAAO

Bryce St. Clair, OD, MPH, FAAO, is a multilingual optometrist who is interested in equalizing the health disparity in the United States. He is passionate about expanding both the healthcare and social systems in the United States to be more inclusive and diverse by empowering and treating patients of all backgrounds. He has a special interest in health literacy and access to care.

Dr. St. Clair graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Romance languages and linguistics with a pre-optometry focus. From there, he continued his education at The Ohio State University, where he received his Doctorate of Optometry. After graduating, Dr. St. Clair completed his residency in ocular pathology at the University of Houston.

Dr. St. Clair specializes in the treatment and management of systemic diseases that affect the eye and visual system. He is particularly passionate about medical retina and uveitis care.

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