Analysis of Sex Diversity Trends among Ophthalmology Match Applicants, Residents, and Clinical Faculty

Abstract

Importance: The proportion of women in the field of ophthalmology in the US trails the proportion of women in the general population. Sex diversity trends have been studied in other specialties, but there is a dearth of such literature in ophthalmology. Objective: To investigate trends in the proportion of female ophthalmology match applicants, residents, and clinical faculty. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study examined data from the San Francisco Match, the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, Association of American Medical Colleges, and American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2019. Data from ophthalmology match applicants, residents, clinical faculty at US medical schools, and AAO members were collected. Main Outcomes and Measures: The proportion of female applicants, residents, and medical school clinical faculty in ophthalmology. Results: Data were obtained from a total of 2807 ophthalmology applicants (35.3% female), 1 004 563 residents (43.8% female), 463 079 clinical faculty members (42.5% female), and 78 968 AAO members (26.1% female). Male ophthalmology residency applicants outnumbered female applicants by a ratio of 1.6:1 from 2016 to 2019. The percentage of female matched applicants in 2016 (41% [168/406]) and 2019 (42% [184/436]) differed by 1% (percent change, 0.99; 95% CI, -1.12 to 3.1; P =.36). There was a 2.3% increase (percent change, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.24-0.43; P