This article is only available in the PDF format. Download the PDF to view the article, as well as its associated figures and tables.
To the Editor.
—The timing of residency appointments in ophthalmology presents a problem to both the applicant and the departmental chief of service. In the past five to six years, 95% to 98% of all approved residency positions in ophthalmology have been filled. This is in contrast to a 30% to 40% vacancy in some other specialties. The high rate in ophthalmology has created a lively competition for the available training positions in our specialty.The problem is further complicated by the fact that internships are not approved in ophthalmology, and ophthalmic residents may have their training interrupted for duty in the Armed Services unless they have received Berry Plan deferment. Such deferment cannot be obtained until nine or ten months before residency training begins. For these reasons, some applicants who have received staff appointments have been inducted into the Armed Services either before or after their residencies have begun.