Optometry residencies are unique in the healthcare profession as they are entirely optional and provide diverse learning opportunities. This provides optometry students and practicing optometrists with significant flexibility when deciding whether to commit to this year-long program.
There are many career and educational benefits to residency that make it a worthwhile endeavour to consider, particularly for a third- or fourth-year optometry student or practicing optometrist looking to broaden their skills.1 The Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) provides accreditation to residency programs and ensures that each residency program is fulfilling their requirements.
The ACOE describes a residency as “a well-designed mix of self-directed learning, seminar participation, instructional experiences, and scholarship.”2 An optometry residency allows one to gain more knowledge in a particular area of interest in diverse clinical settings facilitating patient encounters.
Moreover, a residency provides in-depth exposure to a specific area of optometry within a clinical setting tailored to that specialty. It differs from standard clinical experience by offering increased patient exposure, mentorship from experienced professionals, and interprofessional collaboration within the optometric community. It allows for participation in scholarly activities and research as well.
Overview of optometry residency programs
One of the first and easiest ways to look for information on specific optometry residency programs is through the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) Residency Directory.3
It is important to understand two distinctions:
- Residencies may be accredited or non-accredited (accreditation is granted by ACOE), which can impact eligibility for fellowship programs and certifications.
- Residency programs fall into five broad categories but cover 16 distinct emphasis areas. Some programs may focus on multiple specialties within their category.
As programs within the same category can differ significantly in emphasis, research is crucial. For instance, one ocular disease program may have a greater focus on glaucoma, while others may have an emphasis on low vision rehabilitation. Some pediatric optometry programs may place an emphasis on vision therapy, while others may focus more on pediatric primary care.
Table 1: List of the five optometry residency categories and the 16 emphasis areas.2
| Residency Categories | Emphasis Areas |
|---|---|
| Primary care optometry | Primary care optometry |
| Pediatric optometry | Pediatric optometry |
| Cornea and contact lenses | Family practice optometry |
| Vision rehabilitation | Community health optometry |
| Ocular disease | Geriatric optometry |
| Cornea and contact lenses | |
| Ocular disease | |
| Refractive and ocular surgery | |
| Anterior segment | |
| Glaucoma | |
| Retina | |
| Neuro-optometry | |
| Vision rehabilitation | |
| Vision therapy and vision rehabilitation | |
| Low vision rehabilitation | |
| Brain injury rehabilitation |
Table 1: Adapted from the ASCO Residency FAQ Page.
Download the Optometry Residency Application Checklist here!
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Optometry Residency Application Checklist
Use this checklist to guide the process of applying for optometry residencies to refine your expertise and shape your career.
What are the most popular optometry residency programs?
According to reports published by ORMatch and ASCO:4,5
- For the 2024 to 2025 residency year, there were 467 residents in 295 programs at 24 affiliated schools.
- For the 2025 to 2026 residency year, there were 280 residency sites, with 325 of 404 applicants matching (81%).
- ORMatch’s 2025 data shows a slight decline in applicants, with the lowest number (456) since 2016.
- Fluctuations in residency interest are influenced by economic stability and specialty trends.
Ocular disease remains the most widely available residency specialty, with 139 programs, whereas cornea and contact lenses (CCL) and pediatric optometry have fewer programs (22 and 34, respectively). According to the 2024 Optometry Student Report, CCL (7.5%) and pediatric optometry (6.9%) are the most popular residencies, compared to less than 3% for other specialties.6
When to apply for optometry residencies
As a prospective residency applicant, it’s important to lay the groundwork that will help to ensure a smooth and low-stress application process, especially as deadlines tend to coincide with other major commitments such as board examinations and clinical rotations.
Here is a general timeline of how the residency application works:
- October 2: ORMatch application opens
- December 31: Recommended deadline for ORMatch applications
- January 31: Application cutoff deadline for NBEO scores (for ORMatch)
- Note: Program application deadlines vary by program!
- February 10: Program ranking open
- February 25: Program ranking deadline
- March 4: Match results
- March 6: Post-match process
While ample time is given to complete the ORMatch application, it is strongly advised to finalize your application as soon as possible, as interview offers can be given out on a rolling basis and can be conducted even before the application cutoff deadline!
Pearl: For more detailed information on the application timeline, ASCO has published a helpful video presented by Dr. Caroline Pate at the UAB School of Optometry here.7 Also, ORMatch provides a detailed overview of significant dates with the option to directly add these dates to your calendar here.8
Preparing for the application
How might one best prepare themselves for the residency application? Before exploring programs, take the time to self-reflect and define your motivation for residency. A year-long commitment is significant and should align with your career goals.
You don’t have to wait until the October application opening date to look up residency programs that may interest you. If you have an idea of a program that you would love to consider, do your research early! Program director contact information is made publicly available on the ASCO directory, and current and previous residents can be found on the Optometry Resident Directory.9
Take the initiative to reach out in a professional manner to establish connections early and get to know more about a program, particularly if the program of interest is held at a different school of optometry or a clinic you are unfamiliar with. Residency information fairs are held on an annual basis at the American Academy of Optometry’s Annual Meeting (Residency Fair), where you can meet current residents and residency supervisors.
Moreover, different programs may choose to hold webinars where you can meet and chat with program directors online, even if you can’t meet in person. It is much easier to apply for a program having spoken with or having had prior correspondence with the program director than having your application being the first point of reference.
6 key components of the optometry residency application
There are six major components of the residency application, the bulk of which takes place within the ORMatch online system:
- Pay application fees: $350 USD covers the cost of application to 10 programs, and $25 USD for each additional program.
- Academic records: Official transcripts from your optometry school (or other graduate coursework).
- NBEO Scores: Scores from the NBEO Parts I, II, and III (if completed), along with the TMOD exam (Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease).
- Personal Statements: Letter of intent and curriculum vitae (CV).
- Letters of Recommendation: You'll need to request at least three letters of recommendation from faculty or adjunct faculty.
- Program interviews: Most programs require a personal interview.
The ORMatch application is where you will be asked to provide a history of your education, your CV, your optometry school transcript, and scores for NBEO examinations that you have taken to date.
Don't forget to download the Optometry Residency Application Checklist!
How to write a letter of interest for an optometry residency program
For many program sites, this information, combined with your letter of interest and letters of recommendation, will be the first point of contact with you. Thus, it’s important to keep in mind that your letter of interest is not just a general cover letter meant to list out your practical acumen and list of achievements, but rather a message tailored to that specific program about why you have chosen to apply to their site.
Your letter of interest is also more than a cover letter; it should highlight:
- Why you’re drawn to the program (location, patient demographics, faculty, past interactions, etc.)
- Relevant clinical experiences, school involvement, or volunteer work
- How the residency fits into your long-term career goals
Gathering letters of recommendation
In addition, three letters of recommendation (at minimum) are needed to complete the application. While these can be used for your application for all programs, consider any conflicts of interest or letters that may speak better to certain programs compared to others.
For instance, a letter of recommendation from a site where you were able to assist and conduct vision therapy sessions may be great for residency with an emphasis in vision therapy, but may not speak as well to your experience fitting contact lenses.
Often, letters are coming from supervisors and clinicians who have busy schedules and several commitments on their plates, and the end of the fall term can be an extremely difficult time to churn out a tailored letter of recommendation.
Tip: Consider the time you may need to compile letters of recommendation.
Preparing for the residency interview
After leaping the first hurdle of completing your ORMatch application, the next big step to consider is the interview stage. Some interviews can be held virtually, but it’s always recommended to take the time to visit the site where you’ll be spending the next year. This provides an invaluable opportunity to tour the location, speak with current residents, and meet faculty aside from the residency program director.
As previously mentioned, interviews can be held even before the application deadline, which is why submitting your application early can help make a good impression! If you need to travel and/or prepare accommodations for your program visits, consider how this might also impact your clinical rotations and board examination prep.
Collecting materials for optometry residency interviews
Interviews allow both you and the program to assess fit. While some interviews are virtual, an in-person visit is highly recommended to meet faculty, tour facilities, and interact with current residents. Some programs may choose to test your clinical knowledge, while other programs may spend more time gauging your interest and discussing your relevant experience.
Make sure you have taken some time to prepare your thoughts and review your application, especially if some time has passed since you’ve submitted it and the interview day. It can be useful to have a list of questions for the program directors, faculty and / or residents on hand.
Some potential questions to consider are:
- How much support will I be getting from my residency supervisor (i.e., check-ins, meetings, phone calls, etc.)? Will this be tapered over time?
- Are there others I can talk to and consult if my residency supervisor is not available?
- What are my expected duties throughout the residency? If supervising students are involved, how will I be supported throughout this?
- What are expectations around academic endeavours or requirements such as poster presentations, journal clubs, grand rounds, and conferences?
- What, if any, on-call or after-hours duties are there?
- Is there a travel stipend? Do I get time off?
If you’re looking to apply for the next residency cycle, or even if you are still debating on whether a residency is right for you, click here to download the application checklist!
For more information, some helpful resources and guides include:
Key takeaways
- There are more residency opportunities than ever before in Canada and the US, with an 81% match rate.
- Connecting with residency directors before applying can give you a competitive edge.
- Most of the application process occurs between January and February—plan early!
- Interviews are crucial for assessing fit. Ask thoughtful questions about mentorship, duties, and expectations.
- What differentiates a great optometry student from a strong residency candidate is their ability to define clear goals and align them with the right program.
Final thoughts
Applying for an optometry residency can be overwhelming, but careful planning and early preparation will set you up for success. Residency is an opportunity to refine your expertise and shape your career—choosing the right program is key!
