The Department of Ophthalmology at Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center started its PBO-accredited Residency Training in 1992. It is one of the oldest and most established training program in the hospital. Since then, the Department has produced graduates who became specialists in various Ophthalmology subspecialty and leaders in their own institutions. At present, the Department has renewed its PBO accreditation for 2025 to 2027
The Residency program covers 3 years of clinical and surgical exposure to all subspecialties of Ophthalmology, with research training and requirements, and balanced with community exposure to the localities in Ilocos Norte. An option is to come-in as an Adjunct Medical Doctor in Ophthalmology, which provides 4 years of exposure in the field. The overall goal of the residency training is to produce competent, ethical, and compassionate Ophthalmologists who will serve the Ilocos region and other underserved regions. At present, we accept 2 residents per year, plus extra year for the chief residents.
The Residency training in MMMHMC is rigorous, high-yield, and well-rounded. The program is carefully designed to be balanced, with exposure to various aspects expected of an Ophthalmologist.
The Department have up-to-date facilities for fluorescein angiography, OCT, 532 pattern laser, ultrasound, glaucoma work-up, fundus camera, surgical microscope, phacoemulsification, and vitrectomy machines. The Department has also conducted international research for phase 3 trials. Furthermore, the residents have won in Resident Research Paper Contest from PAO and MMMHMC in 2023 and 2024. Various presentations have also been done in international conventions, most recently at the World Ophthalmology Congress 2024 in Canada.
The MMMHMC Ophthalmology program is unique in terms of its balanced training and exposure to multiple and varied cases. The strong support and close interaction with the consultants add to a solid base of Ophthalmology knowledge and competence. The facilities in the hospital and the Department ensure patients get standard management. Overall, the community and the system within the Department have produced graduates who are competent, compassionate, and ethical Ophthalmologists.
The Department of Ophthalmology dreams of creating better health system for the people in the North, within Ilocos region and beyond. The goal is to bring the same level of efficient health care and research that we have in Manila, to our communities in the North. So if you see yourself being part of that goal, then the Department will be very welcome to partner with you.
