The mission of the Primary Care Optometry Residency program is to provide qualified post-doctoral optometric graduates with advanced clinical experiences and knowledge in primary care optometry through direct patient care in diverse clinical settings. The resident will further advance their clinical knowledge and evidence-based decision making by engaging in didactic and scholarly activities. Additionally, the residency program will promote the development of life-long learning skills that will enable residents to provide high quality patient-centered care throughout their optometric career. Residents who complete the program are prepared to provide an advanced level of clinical care in multiple aspects of primary care optometry, and serve as educators in academic settings and/or serve the profession of optometry as leaders in the area of primary care.

Founded in 1987, the University of Houston College of Optometry Primary Care Residency is a one-year advanced training program designed to enhance the resident's clinical skills and knowledge base in primary care optometry through direct patient care, self-study, and scholarly pursuits. The Residency Program is currently offering one position for the 2025-2026 program year, based at the College in the Family Practice Service of the University Eye Institute. Residents rotate through specialty areas including low vision rehabilitation, pediatric optometry, specialty contact lenses, and ocular disease. Residents participate in ocular emergency triaging and care and interact with various optometric and ophthalmological subspecialists within and external to the University Eye Institute. In addition, Residents have the opportunity to participate in the teaching and training of optometry students through assignments as clinical instructors, grand rounds participants, seminar lecturers, and laboratory assistants.