Top 10 Global Universities to Study Ophthalmology
As a complex, precise field, studying ophthalmology poses unique challenges for students aiming to understand optics, treat eye diseases, and potentially operate. The following top universities for ophthalmology provide exceptional graduate programs, resources, research, and faculty to prepare future ophthalmologists.
Harvard Medical School – Boston, MA, USA
Harvard Medical School ties for #1 Best Medical School for Ophthalmology in the US News rankings. The department continues to make advances in treating macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and corneal disease. Students benefit from the prestigious Harvard name.
Stanford University – Palo Alto, CA, USA
Stanford’s residency program provides robust clinical training in its affiliated clinics, hospitals and VA centers. The department also focuses on global ophthalmology outreach and research on complex conditions like neuro-ophthalmic disorders.
Moorfields Eye Hospital – London, England
This long-running facility based in London focuses solely on ophthalmology treatment, research and education. Moorfields Eye Hospital partners with several universities for research and hosts hundreds of clinical students annually to observe surgeries and patient care.
Johns Hopkins University – Baltimore, MD, USA
At Johns Hopkins, the Wilmer Eye Institute supports large-scale clinical trials and epidemiological studies on preventing blindness globally. Students can participate in rounds observing over 200,000 patient visits yearly across multiple specialty clinics.
Duke University – Durham, NC, USA
Well-known for its research, Duke’s Department of Ophthalmology ranked #5 nationally for NIH funding in this field. The university cultures innovation through its translational research lab to take new therapies from conception to clinical practice.
UCSF Medical Center – San Francisco, CA, USA
The University of California, San Francisco forms part of the #1 opthalmology program nationally, along with cross-town UC Berkeley. UCSF specifically delivers outstanding training in complex anterior segment procedures and laser refractive surgeries.
University of Toronto – Toronto, Canada
This Canadian university hosts the University Health Network’s Eye Program spanning three hospitals for comparison. Students gain experience with an incredibly high volume and variety of patients referred from around the region.
King’s College London – London, England
England’s largest ophthalmic education center, King’s immerses students in the fast pace of NHS hospitals. Known globally for research tackling corneal transplantation issues, glaucoma, and applying stem cells towards retinal therapies.
University of Melbourne – Melbourne, Australia
Based at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne delivers intensive clinical rounds, observation of outpatient care and surgical exposure. Requirements include rural placements around Australia and optional programs overseas.
National University of Singapore – Singapore
This leading university in Southeast Asia is renowned for expertise in conditions common among Asian populations like angled glaucoma. Backed by strong research in corneal imaging technologies and vision correction techniques.
By gaining admission to these highly-ranked global universities for studying ophthalmology, students access world-class medical training, research and clinical experience needed for professional success in this competitive field. Their graduates significantly advance vision care through breakthrough treatments and expert patient care around the world.