Thinking about an optometry residency can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re trying to balance passion, pressure, finances, and the unknowns of the match process. During this Defocus Media conversation, Dr. Darryl Glover sits down with Dr. Toby Wercberger, a vision therapy and rehabilitation resident at SUNY College of Optometry, to break down the realities of residency in a way that’s honest, practical, and student-focused. From understanding why you should pursue a specialty to navigating the match, adjusting to life as a resident, and shaping your long-term career, Dr. Wercberger shares the transparent insights every optometry student wishes they had before entering the process.
Dr. Toby Wercberger
Her journey—from Toronto to NECO to SUNY—offers clarity, direction, and motivation for any student debating whether residency is the right next step.
Table of Contents
1. Get Clear on Your “Why”—Your Passion Should Guide the Path2. Network Early—Relationships Make a Measurable Difference3. Research Programs Thoroughly—Current and Past Residents Are Your Best Resource4. Expect a Demanding Year—But One That Pays Off for LifeThe Application and Match ProcessIf You Don’t MatchGoing From Optometry Student to OptometristThe Long-Term Value of Residency
1. Get Clear on Your “Why”—Your Passion Should Guide the Path
Residency isn’t something you choose “just because.” It’s most impactful when driven by a clear clinical passion. Whether it’s pediatrics, ocular disease, low vision, specialty lenses, or—like Dr. Wercberger—binocular vision and vision therapy, the decision should be rooted in a genuine desire to deepen your skills. If you feel drawn to a specialty but lack confidence in complex cases, residency gives you focused training that cannot be replicated in a standard rotation.
2. Network Early—Relationships Make a Measurable Difference
Optometry is an incredibly connected profession. Directors consistently remember applicants they’ve met at the Academy, spoken to on LinkedIn, or interacted with at residency fairs. When two applications appear similar, the candidate who engages early and shows genuine interest often stands out. Networking signals drive professionalism and commitment—not favoritism, but intentional visibility.
3. Research Programs Thoroughly—Current and Past Residents Are Your Best Resource
Before ranking any program, speak to residents who are currently in the program as well as those who have completed it. Current residents help you understand the daily flow, workload, culture, and expectations. Past residents help you understand long-term impact, confidence, and how the specialty translated to the real world. Tools like the ASCO Resident Directory make this easy—and these conversations are often the difference between choosing a program that fits and one that falls short.
4. Expect a Demanding Year—But One That Pays Off for Life
Residency is not a relaxed extension of school; it’s fast-paced, intense, and packed with learning. You’ll see unfamiliar cases, supervise students, and often leave later than planned—but the growth is exponential. Many clinicians say that one year of residency ...
