Gap Year Program

Spend a year working alongside a Yale-trained surgeon and his team, gaining hands-on exposure to clinical research, surgical procedures, and the daily operations of one of Connecticut's most advanced ophthalmology practices.

Gap Year Program at Coastal Eye

Coastal Eye offers pre-med and gap year students a working seat inside a high-volume ophthalmology practice built around advanced retina and cataract surgery. Founded by Dr. Omar Shakir, a Yale fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon and Principal Investigator on multiple FDA clinical trials, our Greenwich, Connecticut practice gives students the chance to learn alongside a surgical and research team working at the leading edge of the field. Students interested in the program are encouraged to reach out and learn more about current openings.

What You'll Experience

Gap year team members work directly within the clinical and research operations of the practice. Depending on the needs of the team, responsibilities and learning opportunities may include:

Clinical Research: Supporting Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials focused on retinal disease and emerging therapies, including aspects of study coordination and patient follow-up
Surgical Exposure: Observing procedures in our office-based surgical suite, including laser cataract surgery and vitreoretinal surgery performed with some of the most advanced technology in the region
Direct Patient Care: Working hands-on with patients during intake, testing, and follow-up visits
Clinical Documentation: Learning to navigate the electronic medical record and support physicians with accurate patient charting
Practice Operations: Gaining a working understanding of how a specialty surgical practice runs day to day, from scheduling to surgical coordination
Ophthalmic Terminology: Building fluency in the diagnoses, treatments, and terminology used in retina and cataract care

Students leave the program with a depth of clinical and research exposure that few gap year opportunities can offer.

Learn From a Leading Retina and Cataract Team

Coastal Eye was founded on the belief that patients deserve care from a team committed to pushing the field forward, and gap year students get a front row seat to that work. Dr. Shakir completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Florida and a two-year vitreous and retina surgery fellowship at Yale University, and he continues to serve as a Clinical Instructor at Yale and a Principal Investigator on numerous FDA clinical trials. Working alongside Dr. Shakir and the broader Coastal Eye team, including our optometrists, gives students a rare view into how surgical, medical, and research care come together in one practice.

Who Should Apply

Coastal Eye is looking for motivated pre-med and gap year students who are organized, eager to learn, and genuinely interested in specialty surgical care. Strong candidates are comfortable in a fast-paced clinical environment, take initiative without being asked twice, and can commit to at least one year with the practice. This program is well suited to students planning to apply to medical school or another advanced healthcare program who want hands-on experience before they get there.

Why Choose Coastal Eye?

Students who join Coastal Eye train inside a practice recognized nationally for innovation in ophthalmic surgery. Coastal Eye was the first in the world to pioneer retina surgery in an office surgery center and the first in Connecticut to bring several of the newest lens and laser technologies to patients. That same commitment to staying ahead of the field shapes the experience gap year students receive, offering exposure that goes well beyond what's available in a typical clinical setting.

Program Details

The Coastal Eye Gap Year Program is based at our Greenwich, Connecticut practice and asks for a minimum one-year commitment. Opportunities are tailored to the needs of the practice and may evolve as students grow more comfortable with clinical and research responsibilities.

Start Your Journey in Ophthalmology

A gap year at Coastal Eye is a chance to work alongside a Yale-trained surgeon and research team before taking the next step in a healthcare career. Reach out to Coastal Eye today to learn more about the Gap Year Program.