Clinical Expertise

The clinical component provides a broad experience in the field of ophthalmic pathology. The F.C. Blodi Eye Pathology Laboratory has a long tradition at the University of Iowa. We are the only ophthalmic pathology laboratory in Iowa and are a referral center for surrounding areas. The laboratory volume is about 900 clinical specimens per year.

Clinical responsibilities in the Eye Pathology Laboratory are geared toward the fellow. The clinical component provides a broad experience in the field of ophthalmic pathology. There is always a first year ophthalmology resident rotating through the laboratory, however, their primary role is one devoted to learning. The fellow would be expected to participate in gross and microscopic examination of all types of specimens received in the lab and in daily sign out of the cases. The fellow will also assist with resident teaching and lectures. There is no formal call duty for nights and weekends for the fellow. The fellow may be responsible for frozen section call as needed.

Training and Education

The Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa has a unique, superlative teaching program. Morning rounds are held four days a week from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m. These are attended by all faculty, fellows, and residents and consist of patient presentations, seminars, and interesting discussions. 

The cases and discussions presented by residents and fellows at Grand Rounds are often further developed and published in major journals or as case reports or tutorials on EyeRounds.org.

Once a week, didactic lectures on ophthalmology are presented for residents and fellows. These two-hour lectures are organized to coincide with the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Basic and Clinical Sciences Course. Lectures cover most aspects of basic and clinical ophthalmology. Once every 10-weeks these sessions include a journal club covering recent journal articles in that subject area to help develop skills in practice based learning.

Multiple half-day clinical conferences are held during the academic year. These meetings feature a visiting professor who presents a lecture based on their research interests. The day is balanced by the presentation of a more clinically-oriented topic. This conference has contributed to the excellent rapport between practicing ophthalmologists and the ophthalmology staff at the university. 

Each year in June, alumni and other members attend the Iowa Eye Annual Meeting and Alumni Reunion with invited speakers and a focus on a specific subspecialty topic.

Presentations of research are made annually during the Resident/Fellow Research Conference at the end of the academic year.