The SF Matching Program was established to coordinate applicants with ophthalmology residencies and is separate from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Applicants are matched for post-graduate year two (PGY-2) positions, which begin about 18 months after the match. 

The ophthalmology match for PGY-2 positions occurs in January, several weeks before the deadline for the NRMP match for PGY-1 positions. Thus, applicants will know their ophthalmology results before they submit their NRMP rank list. Every effort has been made to conduct this match as late as possible in your medical school career, to permit you sufficient time to make an informed decision and to give medical school deans and faculty time to evaluate students and prepare optimal letters of recommendation. 

Some excellent applicants are intimidated by the statistics of the ophthalmology match. When they learn that many programs will have hundreds of applicants for a few places, they assume that they have little chance for success in that match. However, in the most recent match, more than 85 percent of participating U.S. seniors obtained a position. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) have a much greater challenge in obtaining a position, with a match rate of about 6 percent of participating candidates. 

If you are considering a residency in ophthalmology, you should become acquainted as early as possible with the SF Matching Program and the timetable for application procedures.