OVS Residency Program

UTMB Main Campus Rotations

Rotation Facilities

University Eye Clinic

UTMB University Eye Center (UEC) - Galveston

The UEC is where residents spend most of their time. Between faculty clinics, minor procedures rooms, a conference room, surgical practice space (Eyesi simulator and a wet lab stocked year-round with pig-eyes), and a resident lounge with areas for work and relaxation, it becomes a second home for many residents over the course of 3 years.

The UTMB University Eye Center is a multi-specialty ophthalmology treatment center with the largest team of eye care physicians in the area. Our physicians have leading-edge expertise in a full range of treatments and services. The Eye Center has a team of caring professionals who are:

  • Highly qualified ophthalmologists using the most advanced treatments and leading technology
  • Backed by the full staff and expertise of the UTMB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
  • Knowledgeable, customer-focused staff


Jennie Sealy Hospital - Galveston

Jennie Sealy is UTMB’s newest hospital building on the main campus. For ophthalmology residents the key feature is a state-of-the-art operating room with the latest equipment including recording capabilities for surgical cases. You’ll learn on the same microscopes and phaco machines that you will encounter in private practice. During the consult rotation residents will also have access to a fully-stocked ophthalmology exam lane and, occasionally, have a chance to enjoy spectacular views of the bay and the gulf from the upper floors. UTMB GME Recruitment Video

John Sealy Hospital - Galveston

As a level 1 trauma center, the ED serves a wide catchment area including Galveston itself, several nearby counties, and much of the southern and eastern portions of the Houston metroplex. During consults and while on call residents have access to a dedicated ophthalmology exam lane in the ED itself.

TDCJ Hospital - Galveston

The primary resident clinic for UTMB OVS is housed within Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Hospital Galveston, the only prison hospital located on a major academic campus in the United States. This has turned out to be an excellent opportunity for ophthalmology residents, providing a population with a broad scope of pathology across all subspecialties and a chance to master both medical and surgical approaches to treatment. Extensive security measures and the constant presence of highly-trained officers illustrates one of the safest and most secure clinics, and residents come to appreciate this unique arrangement as one of the most valuable portions of their education.

UTMB Primary and Specialty Care Clinic- Texas City,
UTMB Eye Center - Friendswood, & UTMB Multispecialty Center - League City

These are our satellite clinics which offer patient care in all of our sub-specialties and resident participation in cases under faculty supervision.

UTMB Victory Lakes Surgical Center - League City

This newly-constructed facility provides the other major operating room suite frequented by UTMB OVS. Residents will again further surgical experience on various sub-specialty rotations. This facility will be gradually expanded over time to keep up with the high rate of growth and patient demand in the southeastern portion of the Houston metroplex, so its value to residents will only increase with time.

St. Vincent's Clinic - Galveston

St. Vincent's is a non-profit social service mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas that began in 1954 as a small outreach ministry to youth.For more than 60 years, they have provided programs and services for the disadvantaged and under-served population in the community. Their services include meeting the real and immediate healthcare needs of their clients.St. Vincent's has expanded medical services to this under-served population, where residents participate in their care as part of an elective rotation.

A casebook patient of Dr. Mazharuddin was in my office this morning. His story prior to the 2 cataract surgeries she performed has been one struggle and misfortune after another. Having to hold a sheet of paper 2 inches from his face to read it, not being able to make out the street signs or tripping and breaking a finger because he can’t see are just a few of the things he deals with in everyday life. He even had a conversation with someone at church and he had no idea the shadow next to that person was his own roommate.

But now he cannot stop smiling and I am not exaggerating when I say she changed this man’s life forever. He has plans (actually in motion) to help what he calls the “homeless and able” community in the area by gathering information of all the services and help offered by local agencies and organizations into one spot, making it easier for them to find the help and necessities they need to get a safe place to sleep, fed, clothed, healthy and back on their feet to thrive on their own. We all should be proud of her and all her hard work to make this happen. She stayed on top of this and saw it through all the way. With her gift of sight, it will make life easier for him to help many others. I look forward to hearing from him and how things are going. As I am sure Anam will too because this is one of those patients she will not forget.

Off-Campus Rotations

Houston Methodist

Houston Methodist Hospital

Residents spend 3 months with Dr. Andrew G. Lee learning neuro-ophthalmology and with Dr. Patricia Chévez-Barrios learning ocular pathology. Dr. Lee and Dr. Chévez-Barrios are highly active, highly respected, and well-known individuals in their respective fields. Both are known for their skills in resident education, as well as their active contributions to academia and research. Each resident leaves their Methodist rotation having both broadened and deepened their knowledge base and skills. Many residents also continue to work with the faculty members on significant research, becoming primary authors on publications in major industry journals and presenters at several notable national conferences.

Dr. Andrew G. Lee completed residency at Baylor, trained in neuro-ophthalmology under the tutelage Dr. Neil Miller at Wilmer, and went on to serve as faculty at Iowa, Baylor, Cornell, and MD Anderson before accepting a position as chairman at the Blanton Eye Institute and a joint role as Senior Associate Program Director for the UTMB/HMH Ophthalmology residency program. He is noted on Google Scholar to have been cited in the literature more than 9,000 times, but more importantly is widely regarded as a both a passionate and highly skilled clinical educator. He is a genuine asset to our program, in no small part because he believes his mission and purpose is to help each resident become the best doctor they can be.

Dr. Patricia Chévez-Barrios initially obtained her medical degree in Mexico, completed ophthalmology residency at Baylor, and then proceeded to complete seven post-doctoral training programs (including fellowships in both cornea and ophthalmic pathology) before accepting faculty positions at Baylor, MD Anderson, and ultimately Methodist. She is highly active within the field of ocular pathology, serving as an editor and noted peer reviewer in addition to her own continuous research publications. Through her collaborations with MD Anderson, Texas Childrens Hospital, and multiple international institutions, she has become especially noted for her work on retinoblastoma. After working with Dr. Chévez-Barrios, residents leave with a very strong background in ocular pathology that serves them well in their overall understanding of ophthalmology, providing a unique and notable strength.

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

The MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the premier academic cancer centers in the world. Rotating UTMB ophthalmology residents get a unique exposure to ocular oncology while working alongside notable faculty members such as Dr. Bita Esmaeli and Dr. Dan S. Gombos, as well as exposure to pediatric ocular oncology at Texas Childrens Hospital.

Notable Faculty


Orlando VA Medical Center

Our senior residents go to Orlando, Florida for three months at a time. Residents participate in comprehensive ophthalmology clinics seeing a variety of patients with diverse pathology and generating cases for anterior segment surgery. The resident will also provide in-patient and emergency consultation and will order and interpret all ophthalmic ancillary tested recommended, establish diagnoses, initial medical management, and participate as primary surgeon or assistant in anterior segment cases. Approximately 10 or more cataract surgeries are usually performed in one OR session, with an average of 50-60 surgeries performed during the rotation. The UTMB Ophthalmology department provides a fully-furnished apartment for residents, conveniently located close to the VA Hospital.

Orlando VA Outpatient Center