Cross-sectional survey of 115 US ophthalmology residents identifies factors influencing decisions to pursue or forgo uveitis fellowships.

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Frontiers in Medicine Published April 16, 2026 Medically reviewed April 25, 2026 DOI ↗ By Dr. Lars van Dijk, PhD · Surgical, Procedural & Diagnostic

Key Takeaway

Note that perceived complexity and limited surgical exposure significantly influence ophthalmology residents' decisions to pursue uveitis fellowships.

A cross-sectional survey of 115 ophthalmology residents in the United States evaluated factors influencing the decision to pursue or forgo a uveitis fellowship. The study population consisted of residents across various programs, with the primary outcome being the identification of specific influences on fellowship selection. Secondary outcomes included perceptions of field complexity, job market views, mentor influence, surgical opportunities, salary expectations, and program resources such as the number of uveitis-trained faculty.

Among the 115 residents surveyed, 14 (12.2%) chose to pursue a uveitis fellowship. For those not pursuing a fellowship, 26.7% indicated they decided before the PGY3 year, compared with 14.3% of those pursuing one (P = 0.041). Key factors influencing the decision to not pursue included perceived complexity of the field (21.6%), job market perceptions (19.6%), and mentor influence (15.7%). Reasons for not choosing included perceptions regarding surgical opportunities (17.6%), beliefs about the field's complexity (15.1%), and salary expectations (13.2%).

Residents not pursuing a fellowship reported having 1.90 uveitis-trained faculty at their program versus 1.14 for those pursuing one (P = 0.002). Additionally, 75% (87 residents) felt the uveitis rotation time was inferior compared to other subspecialties. Surgical exposure with uveitis-trained faculty was higher in those pursuing the fellowship (64.3%) versus those not pursuing (56.4%) (P = 0.018). A substantial proportion, 43.6%, indicated they would reconsider if the fellowship were combined with another subspecialty.

This cross-sectional survey identifies structural and perceptual barriers to uveitis fellowship recruitment. Limitations inherent to the observational design include the inability to establish causality between specific program features and fellowship pursuit decisions. Improving recruitment may require residency curriculum adjustments that emphasize earlier rotations and increased surgical exposure with uveitis faculty. Strengthening mentorship programs can address concerns regarding compensation along with surgical and research opportunities to foster an interest in current residents.

Study Details

Study typeCohort

EvidenceLevel 3

PublishedApr 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

PurposeTo investigate factors influencing the decision of ophthalmology residents in the United States to pursue a uveitis fellowship.MethodsA cross-sectional survey, with prospective data collection, study. From December 2023 to July 2024, an anonymous survey was distributed via the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) to all United States ophthalmology residents. The survey was distributed a second time, between May 2024 and July 2024, through the American Uveitis Society listserv to distribute to residents. The primary outcome was to determine factors influencing ophthalmology residents’ decisions to pursue or forgo a uveitis fellowship.ResultsOf 115 ophthalmology resident respondents, 14 (12.2%) chose to pursue a uveitis fellowship. Key factors influencing the decision to pursue a uveitis fellowship included the perceived complexity of the field (21.6%), job market perceptions (19.6%), and mentor influence (15.7%). Conversely, the main reasons for not choosing a uveitis fellowship were perceptions regarding surgical opportunities (17.6%), beliefs about the field’s complexity (15.1%), and salary expectations (13.2%). Residents not pursuing uveitis subspecialization were more likely to decide before their PGY3 year (26.7% vs. 14.3%, P = 0.041) and 43.6% indicated they would reconsider if the fellowship were combined with another subspecialty. Additionally, 75% (N = 87) felt their uveitis rotation time was inferior compared to other subspecialties. Residents pursuing uveitis subspecialization had more surgical exposure with uveitis-trained faculty than those who did not (64.3% vs. 56.4%, P = 0.018). Residents not pursuing a uveitis fellowship had a higher number of uveitis-trained faculty at their program compared to residents who pursued a fellowship in uveitis (1.90 vs. 1.14, P = 0.002).ConclusionsImproving recruitment into uveitis fellowship may require residency curriculum adjustments that emphasize earlier rotations and increased surgical exposure with uveitis faculty. While didactic and research opportunities are valuable, other factors may play a more determinative role in a resident’s decision to pursue a uveitis fellowship. Strengthening mentorship programs can address concerns compensation along with surgical and research opportunities to foster an interest in current residents.