UMSL Optometry at Brinton Vision

Refractive Surgery Fellowship (pre-doc)

For student doctors attending UMSL
3-year program

For eight years, Vision Care Partners has partnered with students pursuing a doctorate of optometry degree in St. Louis, Missouri to provide an in-depth clinical learning experience in the management of refractive surgery. This three-year, pre-doctoral fellowship begins on the first Friday in October of the OD1 year and continues through fellowship commencement in May of the OD3 year.

Fellows work from 3:00–5:00 PM on Friday afternoons. During the academic year, fellows are expected to participate three Fridays per month during OD1 and two Fridays per month during OD2 and OD3, although most choose to participate more frequently to gain additional clinical experience. After the first year, a limited number of full-time summer positions are offered to the top performers.

Fellows can expect multiple patient interactions each week, with hands-on experience in slit-lamp examination, refraction, clinical decision-making, and evaluating eyes as early as one day after a range of refractive and IOL procedures. Unlike most work and learning positions available to UMSL School of Optometry students, the goal of this program is not simply to train expert technicians—it is to train expert doctors. Our fellows begin practicing in the doctor role during their first academic year.

This is a unique opportunity to develop substantial clinical experience in refractive and IOL surgery while preparing future optometrists for a lifetime of confidence in surgical co-management.

The Brinton Vision Fellowship is an independent employment and training program offered by Vision Care Partners for students attending the UMSL College of Optometry and is not sponsored or operated by UMSL.

Daily Clinical Skills Development

In-depth, daily slit lamp training, including high-level corneal and anterior chamber evaluation techniques such as evaluating LASIK flap healing, measuring ICL positioning and vault, and determining anterior chamber cell and flare.
Oral presentation practice: patient-to-preceptor communication and case reporting
Complete patient evaluations and present your treatment plan to one of our four doctors for feedback and discussion (all three of our optometrists are UMSL School of Optometry graduates!)

Postoperative & Surgical Experience

Learn to manage postoperative complications for LASIK, SMILE, PRK, EVO ICL, RLE, Light Adjustable Lens, and other advanced procedures
Optional laser training for interested student doctors, including:
- YAG posterior capsulotomy and iridotomy
- PRK
- Light Adjustable Lens procedures
- Other advanced laser surgeries
  (Note: these procedures are approved for optometrists in specific states)

Hands-On Technical Skills

Develop proficiency in:
- Medical terminology and scribing
- Refraction and prescription checking
- Contact lens placement and removal
- Tonometry using iCare, Tonopen, and Goldmann applanation
- Temporary and permanent punctal plug placement

Career-Enhancing Experience

Customer service and marketing training for success in private practice or clinical roles including reputation management, search engine optimization, digital marketing, online presence, and direct to consumer advertising.
Our student medical technicians report that this experience significantly enhances academic performance.
Receive a no-cost consultation for your own surgery candidacy and observe live LASIK and other procedures in-office.
Gain real-world experience, sharpen your skills, and access opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.

Hours are 3:00pm to 5:00pm on Fridays

Competitive Summer Role: Lead Fellow Track

Compensation

OD1=$21/hour
OD2=$22/hour
OD3=$26/hour

Things to Consider Before Applying

This is a demanding, high-expectation role. Please read carefully:

Attention to detail is critical – accuracy and focus are non-negotiable.
Our patients have high expectations – many are paying out-of-pocket for elective surgery, and even if they could only see 20/20 in glasses or contacts before surgery, 20/20 may not be “good enough” after surgery for a patient who can refract to 20/16, 20/12.5, or even 20/10.
We invest heavily in training – in return, we ask for your full commitment to the program’s full duration. Please do your due diligence before accepting:
- Shadow a current technician
- Talk to alumni of the program
- Understand our pace, culture, and expectations
You must believe in what we do – our mission is to provide patients the option of visual freedom through refractive surgery. If you’re not comfortable supporting surgical vision correction, this role won’t be a good match.
You’ll learn the business of eye care, not just the medical side. Success in this role requires interest in how practices operate, market, and deliver elective care at a high level.

This position is a rare opportunity for a future-focused student doctor who wants to build technical skills, leadership experience, and a deep understanding of surgical eye care.

For Top-Performing First-Year Fellows

Each year, Brinton Vision offers a limited number of full-time summer positions to first-year fellows who have demonstrated exceptional performance, reliability, initiative, and commitment. These competitive positions provide advanced clinical training, greater responsibility, and the opportunity to prepare for a leadership role during the OD2 and OD3 years.

Summer Experience

Summer fellows receive advanced hands-on training that may include:

Surgical marking of the limbus
Releasing intraocular pressure postoperatively
Working with Light Adjustable Lenses (LALs)
Additional clinical and leadership responsibilities

Fellows who successfully complete the summer experience may serve as Lead Medical Technicians for the student doctor team during their OD2 and OD3 years.

Academic Requirements

GPA of 3.5 or higher is expected
Fellows with a GPA of 3.0–3.49 may be considered on a case-by-case basis based on exceptional performance
Fellows who rely on prescription glasses must be willing to wear contact lenses or undergo LASIK at Brinton Vision as part of the role