If you’re anything like me, an eager medical student trying to find their footing in ophthalmology, I recommend attending YoungMD Connect (YMDC) Live to connect with others in the field. Because I attend an institution without a home ophthalmology program, my opportunities for research and engagement with faculty in ophthalmology are more limited. I decided to attend YMDC Live in March 2025 in Austin, Texas, on the advice of a mentor, and I’m so glad I did.
OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT
It is intimidating to approach a total stranger and say, “Hi, I’m so-and-so—nice to meet you,” but the structure of YMDC Live made it easy to get to know the other attendees. There are times and events specifically for socializing and engaging as a medical student, which allowed me to connect with residents and ask questions in a small, low-stakes environment. One roundtable session, “Mastering Medical School and Beyond,” presented an opportunity for me to talk with current ophthalmology residents about preparing for the fourth year of medical school. During a happy hour event, I not only had the chance to meet with and learn from residents, but I also was able to connect with other students who offered great advice about ophthalmology programs and rotations. I exchanged contact information with many attendees, and I sensed that the people I met genuinely wanted to help one another succeed. By the end of the conference, I had developed a camaraderie with other students and residents and felt like I was part of a supportive community.
SPEAKERS AND INSPIRATION
Over the course of the event, I heard from fantastic speakers and learned about many different ophthalmic subspecialties. It was like a 3-day crash course in ophthalmology for aspiring and young ophthalmologists.
Keynote Lecture
The keynote speaker, Thomas Oetting, MD, gave a presentation on well-being and his journey as an ophthalmologist. He spoke about the happiness curve, or the theory that people tend to experience a dip in happiness from their 20s to 40s and then experience an increase in happiness later in life. Dr. Oetting detailed his own experiences at different points on this U-curve, which resonated with me as a medical student experiencing so much uncertainty about the present and future. It was comforting to know that others might be going through the same waves of emotions as me and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Subspecialties and New Technologies
Even though I wasn’t at school or on a rotation that weekend, YMDC Live taught me new things about medicine and ophthalmology. During the Subspecialty Showcase session, speakers from different subspecialties each discussed why their area of ophthalmology is worth pursuing. I thought learning about each perspective from a range of awe-inspiring doctors was fascinating. The talk given by Loreley Smith, MD, even made me consider oculoplastics, a subspecialty I had not thought about before. These lectures also covered the latest developments in technology, such as direct selective laser trabeculoplasty (Voyager, Alcon) for the treatment of glaucoma and perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution (Meibo, Bausch + Lomb) for the treatment of dry eye. It was interesting to hear about the new treatment options available to patients and how far ophthalmology has progressed.
Workshops and Labs
Among my favorite parts of the weekend were the Wet Labs, Skills Transfer, & Workshops, where attendees were able to gain hands-on experience with various procedures. This is where I performed my first goniotomy—on a model, of course! The stations were monitored and run by a mix of ophthalmology faculty and industry representatives. I never had the chance to do something like this during my ophthalmology rotation, so I found it to be an incredibly helpful learning experience. Another highlight for me was the demonstration of botulinum toxin injections, which made me appreciate the art form of identifying injection locations and amounts. I couldn’t leave the event without taking some artificial tear samples and other goodies from the industry tables.
CONCLUSION
I went into YMDC Live feeling uncertain and anxious but left feeling inspired and passionate. This meeting reaffirmed my journey into ophthalmology and more. As a medical student among a sea of residents, fellows, and practitioners, I expected the conference to be overwhelming and daunting; I did not expect to find a newfound community of medical students, ophthalmology trainees, and mentors. For any medical student wanting to meet people or learn more about ophthalmology, I highly recommend attending YMDC Live. You never know what you might learn or who you will meet.
