Advising Students Interested in Ophthalmology: A Summary of the Evidence.

Despite an 81% successful match rate among United States senior medical students in 2016 in the ophthalmology match (the San Francisco Match), the average number of programs each applicant applies to increased from 45 to 68 from 2006 through 2016, an increase that likely indicates a perceived increase in the competitiveness of matching into an ophthalmology residency program. This perception is likely at least in part a result of the general increase in competitiveness in the National Resident Matching Program for other specialties. This trend has led to an increased financial burden on students and an administrative burden on residency programs. The increase has occurred despite many ophthalmology faculty advising that students apply to far fewer programs and despite the percentage of students successfully matching remaining approximately the same for the past decade. Given this increasing administrative burden on programs and the perception of competitiveness for matching, providing comprehensive and accurate advice to medical students interested in ophthalmology is crucial. However, the advice given to students often is subjective and sometimes even conflicting. This editorial reviews and summarizes the current literature on factors potentially affecting match outcomes in an effort to provide objective data to assist faculty and residents in advising students pursuing careers in ophthalmology.