Pediatric Optometry/Ocular Disease Residency

Program Overview

The Pediatric Optometry/Ocular Disease Residency at BronxCare Health System provides highly motivated post-graduate optometrists with a rich clinical learning experience focused primarily on pediatric eye care while also providing the resident with significant exposure to ocular disease in the adult patient population. The diverse patient base in the underserved South and Central Bronx communities provides exposure to patients in both hospital and community-based clinical settings.

The resident will have the opportunity to:

Provide full-scope primary eye care to patients of all ages, with a focus on neonates and pediatric patients
Co-manage complex strabismus and amblyopia cases with Pediatric Ophthalmology
Co-manage complex ocular diseases with Ophthalmology sub-specialists
Provide urgent care within the emergency department
Utilize advanced ophthalmic equipment and technology
Observe ophthalmic surgical procedures

After completing the program, the resident will have acquired an advanced didactic education as well as a high level of clinical competency in providing full-scope optometric care to the pediatric population while also gaining advanced competencies in areas of ocular disease. Graduates of this residency program will possess the skills necessary to thrive in areas of patient care, optometric education, and leadership within hospital-based, academic, and private practice clinical settings.

Residency Program Curriculum

Didactic Education

Attend departmental morning lectures given by attendings and/or guest lecturers
Attend SUNY College of Optometry's Friday Programs which are both didactic and "hands-on"
Participate in journal clubs and case conferences with Optometry and Ophthalmology attendings
Participate in the BronxCare Optometry didactic program with the Ocular Disease/Primary Care Optometry residents and optometry attendings
Attend the American Academy of Optometry's (AAO) annual meeting

Professional Activities

Present minor and major lecture presentations at SUNY College of Optometry
Submit at least one abstract for presentation at a major Optometric meeting (i.e., AAO, AOA, SECO)
Prepare a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal

Clinical Training

Gain concentrated clinical experience in examining and managing neonates and pediatric patients
Become highly proficient in managing all forms of amblyopia, non-refractive strabismus, and motility disorders
Gain experience recognizing the clinical signs and symptoms associated with pediatric ocular conditions, syndromes, and diseases
Learn how to triage, diagnose, and manage ocular conditions presenting to the emergency room
Rotate through Ophthalmology sub-specialty clinics
Become proficient in advanced clinical skills
Learn how to interpret ancillary test results

Mission Statement

The mission of the Optometric Residency Program in Pediatric Optometry/Ocular Disease at BronxCare Health System is to provide the post-doctoral optometrist with a rich multi-disciplinary clinical experience through its diverse patient base in the underserved South and Central Bronx communities. This program will enable the resident to gain an advanced level of didactic education and clinical competency in all areas of pediatric eye care as well as adult ocular disease. Graduates of this residency program will possess the skills and confidence to care for the pediatric population as well as diagnose and manage ocular disease presenting in any age group. Graduates will have the tools to thrive in areas of patient care, optometric education, and leadership within hospital-based as well as private optometric clinical settings.

Faculty

Alexis Pelowski, OD, FAAO, DiplABO
Program Co-Supervisor
Pediatric Optometry

Danielle Crane, OD, FAAO
Program Co-Supervisor
Pediatric Optometry

Ilana B. Friedman, MD
Pediatric Ophthalmology

Tybee Eleff, OD, MS, FAAO, DiplABO
Ocular Disease/Primary Care Optometry

Alanna Khattar-Sullivan, OD, FAAO, DiplABO
Ocular Disease/Primary Care Optometry

Asha Tadepalli, OD, FAAO, DiplABO
Ocular Disease/Primary Care Optometry

For more information:

Alexis Pelowski, OD, FAAO, DiplABO
Co-Supervisor, Pediatric Optometry/Ocular Disease Residency Program
1650 Selwyn Avenue, Suite 1C
Bronx, NY 10457
Phone: (718) 960-2041
Fax: (718) 960-2045
Email: apelowsk@bronxcare.org