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.

Her journey—from Toronto to NECO to SUNY—offers clarity, direction, and motivation for any student debating whether residency is the right next step.

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.

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.

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.

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 feels like three to five years of general practice experience. The concentrated exposure, mentorship, specialty immersion, and clinical repetition build confidence and expertise that transform a career.

Applying to residency involves strategy. You can list many programs, but you should only rank those you are fully willing to attend. Once the match occurs, it’s a binding commitment. The waiting period leading up to match day is stressful for everyone—but part of the journey.

The post-match phase offers great alternatives. Programs with unfilled positions are listed, and applicants can reach out directly. Every year, strong candidates find excellent placements through post-match conversations.

Transitioning into the supervisor role can feel surreal during the first few weeks. Many new residents feel uncomfortable introducing themselves as “doctor” at first or teaching students who were peers just months earlier. Humility and honesty go a long way—if you don’t know something, look it up together. Students respect authenticity, and patients appreciate transparency.

Residency accelerates your clinical maturity, expands your professional network, and distinguishes you in your specialty. The relationships you form—with attendings, co-residents, and specialty experts—become lifelong career assets.