Optometry Residency Program in Florida | Center for Sight
An impressive visual of the Center for Sight Optometric Residency program, conveying professionalism and educational excellence.

Complete Your Optometric Residency at Center For Sight

Schedule an Appointment
close-up image of an eye being examined during an optometric residency program.
Center For Sight Banner Background

A History of Excellence

Welcome to Center For Sight. Located in Southwest Florida, Center For Sight is one of the leading multi specialty eye care practices in the United States, providing patients worldwide with care in ophthalmology, optometry, audiology, dermatology, cosmetic surgery and skincare across 11 locations, 2  surgery centers and 39 providers. 

We invite you to consider our Optometric Residency in Ocular Disease with emphasis in Cornea and Contact Lenses. 

Please take a moment to learn more about Center For Sight and our program. Our goal is to provide outstanding clinical and surgical experiences, combined with excellent mentorship opportunities, to prepare you with the knowledge and skills you will need as a standout practicing physician. Join us!

Our Mission

The Residency in Ocular Disease with emphasis in Cornea and Contact Lenses seeks to attract the best-qualified optometric graduates and provide advanced clinical training in a medical-surgical environment. Graduates of this residency program are trained to deliver superlative clinical care in ocular disease and to serve the profession of optometry within their community and health care delivery system.

Bringing Clear Vision to Life

We provide a full array of medical eye care services to ensure the best results with every visit, including:

  • Primary Vision Care for the Entire Family
  • Optical Boutique with Designer Frames
  • 24/7 Emergency Vision Care
  • Accredited Dry Eye Center
  • Access to Specialists in:
    • Laser Cataract Surgery
    • All-Laser LASIK
    • Glaucoma, Cornea, Macula & Retina Care
    • Cosmetic Facial Surgery
    • Dermatology
    • Skin Care
    • Hearing
group of individuals engaged in discussion during an optometric residency program.
Center For Sight Banner Background

The Program

The Residency in Ocular Disease with emphasis in Cornea and Contact Lenses seeks to attract the best qualified optometric graduates and provide advanced clinical training in a medical-surgical environment. Graduates of this residency program are trained to deliver superlative clinical care in ocular disease and to serve the profession of  optometry within their community and health care delivery system.

Program Overview

Center For Sight has a diverse patient base and a variety of clinical facilities. The resident will have the opportunity to render care for a wide range of ocular conditions, including anterior segment disorders, glaucoma, retinal disease, post operative care traumatic injuries and urgent care. They will also have exposure to soft contact lens and specialty lens fittings. The resident will have access to advanced diagnostic equipment necessary for specialized care.

The clinical curriculum includes direct patient care, the observation of care provided by specialized physicians, urgent care of patients, surgical observation, post-operative care of patients and contact lens fittings. The scholarly components of the program include weekly mentorship meetings with supervisors, the development of a grand rounds presentation, attending conferences and journal reviews and developing a publishable abstract.

  • All candidates will be considered in a fair and impartial manner.
  • The deadline for applications is February 1st.
  • All candidates wishing to be considered must meet/submit the following criteria:
    • Current curriculum vitae
    • Three letters of recommendation from clinical supervisors
    • Official transcripts from an ACOE accredited college of optometry demonstrating a minimum GPA of 3.0
    • Candidate must be license eligible with a passing score on Part I to be interviewed and passage of Part II and TMOD to be placed. It is expected that all parts of NBEO are passed beginning the program.
      Completed ORMatch application
    • Submit to an interview
    • A Doctor of Optometry degree from an ACOE accredited school or college of optometry
    • A valid social security number.

The residency program is 12.5 months in length. The resident is expected to work 5 days per week. The clinics are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The resident is not expected to take call after hours. Clinical assignments vary and are determined by the Program Coordinator.

Salary & Benefits

  • The resident salary is $45,000.
  • Professional liability insurance is provided for patient care provided at CFS locations.
  • Health and dental insurance provided commensurate with staff physicians.
  • 15 days paid time off for vacation and sick days.
  • Five professional development days to attend one national or local conference.
  • Travel stipend to attend a professional conference.
  • Business cards and lab coats.

Completion Requirements

  • Overall satisfactory evaluations by supervisors.
  • Completion of publishable abstract.
  • Attendance at all assigned clinical assignments.
  • Completion of all patient, didactic, and scholarship logs.
Dr. Lori Vollmer, Optometry Residency Program Faculty at Center For Sight
Dr. Joseph Sowka, Optometry Residency Program Director at Center For Sight

To learn more about our residency program, please feel free to contact us!

Center For Sight Optometry Residency Program QR Code
Center For Sight location background image

Our Locations

    News

    Celebrate Healthy Vision Month by Checking These 6 Cataract Warning Signs

    Eye Care

    Reviewed By: Joaquin De Rojas May is Healthy Vision Month, making it a good time to pay attention to changes in your vision that may have crept in slowly. Cataracts usually do not develop all at once. Instead, they tend to build gradually, making vision look hazy, colors seem duller, and glare harder to manage. Because […]

    Read More… from Celebrate Healthy Vision Month by Checking These 6 Cataract Warning Signs

    May 12, 2026
    useye

    A Legacy of Clear Vision: Center For Sight Celebrates 27 Years of Senior Softball Sponsorship

    News & Updates

    In a partnership that spans over a quarter-century, Center For Sight is proud to celebrate its enduring sponsorship of the Center For Sight Senior Softball 85s team and its legendary leader, Hugh Brotherton. Hugh’s connection to Center For Sight began decades ago as a patient of Dr. David Shoemaker, the founder of Center For Sight. […]

    Read More… from A Legacy of Clear Vision: Center For Sight Celebrates 27 Years of Senior Softball Sponsorship

    May 7, 2026
    useye

    The Life of LASIK: How Long Your Clear Vision Will Really Last

    Faces by Fezza

    LASIK reshapes the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. That change is permanent, but your eyes still age. That is where most confusion starts. People asking how long LASIK surgery lasts are usually trying to sort out two different ideas: whether the laser correction itself lasts, and whether their vision can still change later […]

    Read More… from The Life of LASIK: How Long Your Clear Vision Will Really Last

    April 15, 2026
    useye
    Healthy Vision

    Reviewed By: Joaquin De Rojas May is Healthy Vision Month, making it a good time to pay attention to changes in your vision that may have crept in slowly. Cataracts usually do not develop all at once. Instead, they tend to build gradually, making vision look hazy, colors seem duller, and glare harder to manage. Because […]

    Read More… from Celebrate Healthy Vision Month by Checking These 6 Cataract Warning Signs

    Group of senior softball players in black uniforms and white caps posing with a banner that reads Center for Sight Champions at a fenced field.

    In a partnership that spans over a quarter-century, Center For Sight is proud to celebrate its enduring sponsorship of the Center For Sight Senior Softball 85s team and its legendary leader, Hugh Brotherton. Hugh’s connection to Center For Sight began decades ago as a patient of Dr. David Shoemaker, the founder of Center For Sight. […]

    Read More… from A Legacy of Clear Vision: Center For Sight Celebrates 27 Years of Senior Softball Sponsorship

    Check Up for LASIK Eye Surgery

    LASIK reshapes the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. That change is permanent, but your eyes still age. That is where most confusion starts. People asking how long LASIK surgery lasts are usually trying to sort out two different ideas: whether the laser correction itself lasts, and whether their vision can still change later […]

    Read More… from The Life of LASIK: How Long Your Clear Vision Will Really Last

    Check Us Out On Social.

    Useye partnership logo

    We are a proud partner of US Eye, a leading group of patient-centric, vertically integrated multi-specialty physician practices providing patients with care in ophthalmology, optometry, dermatology and cosmetic facial surgery.

    instagram facebook facebook2 pinterest twitter google-plus google linkedin2 yelp youtube phone location calendar share2 link star-full star star-half chevron-right chevron-left chevron-down chevron-up envelope fax