Zooming In: Past, Present, and Future Impact of Virtual Interviews on Ophthalmology Match for Applicants with Home versus No Home Programs

Purpose: To compare the trends in matched ophthalmology residency applicants from schools with and without home ophthalmology residency programs during in-person and virtual interview application years. Methods: In this retrospective study, U.S. allopathic medical school seniors were assessed retrospectively for their match list published on each institution’s official website and the SF Match (2019-2023). Data collected included medical school of matched students, home residency program status, residency program matched into, and residency program type. Data was stratified by the 2019-2020 (in-person) and the 2021-2023 (virtual) match years. An odds ratio (OR) analysis was conducted to determine the likelihood of matching and in-state versus out-of-state matching, and geographic distribution of matches, comparing in-person to virtual interviews. Successful match to an ophthalmology program was the main outcome measure. Results: A total of 1,541 graduates from United States MD-granting institutions that matched into ophthalmology residency programs from 2019 to 2023 were included. During this period, match data showed increases in the number of offered positions, participating U.S. allopathic seniors, applications submitted per individual, and average Step 1 scores of matched applicants, whereas match rates declined. Candidates with home programs displayed higher match likelihoods (in-person: OR = 1.3; p < 0.001, virtual: OR = 1.6; p < 0.001) compared to those without. In-state matches were more prevalent for candidates with a home program (p < 0.001). Key geographic preferences overall included New York, Texas, and Illinois, with no statistically significant ORs; applicants with a home program had a greater likelihood of matching into California (OR = 3.4; p < 0.01) and Florida than those without (OR = 2.6; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our analysis highlights the persistent advantage of having a home program in securing matches with an increasing disparity during virtual interviews. To address the limitations of virtual interviews, applicants without a home program might benefit from additional away rotations or opting for in-person interviews if offered in a hybrid format. These insights offer practical guidance for both applicants and program directors navigating the evolving ophthalmology residency match process.