The glaucoma fellowship program is meant to train the ophthalmologist in the subspecialty of glaucoma including both medical and surgical management of common and complicated glaucomas
Training period: 18 months
Research fellowship includes 6 months of research based activities including data collection, statistical analysis and if possible publication of articles.
Stipend
Current stipend is 30,000 INR per month (subject to change)
Annually, 14 days of paid vacation
Eligibility: D.O. or M.S. or DNB from a recognized institute with adequate surgical exposure to routine cataract surgery with IOL implantation. Preferable to have personal interest to pursue a career in the sub specialty of glaucoma, at least as part of his/her clinical practice.
Age Limit: Upto 40 years
Break up of training period:
First 3 months: The fellow is oriented to the routine practices of the institute in the first month. Subsequently he/she is posted in the Neuro-Ophthalmology department and Glaucoma Diagnostics for 15 days each. In the third month, the fellow has an option to choose any 2 postings of their choice (of 15 days duration each) either in the Vitreo-Retina, Cornea, Uvea or Emergency departments. This period serves to prepare the fellow for the forthcoming glaucoma training.
During this tenure, the fellow, after consultation with the director of the department has to formulate a prospective research proposal for his/her period of stay (minimum of one year) which needs to be approved by the research / ethics committees of the hospital.
Next 8 months: The fellow will have rotation postings with glaucoma consultants. The fellow will be trained in basic OPD evaluation, visual field evaluation, postoperative care and follow up of patients along with observation of minor OPD and OT procedures and major OT procedures. The fellow will actively assist in OT procedures. The fellow will also be responsible for inpatients of the consultant under whom he/she is posted. The fellow will be allowed to perform OPD and OT procedures as mentioned above under the consultants' supervision.
Besides a once weekly posting throughout the fellowship, an exclusive one month period in the community ophthalmology department to further train for cataract and glaucoma surgeries.
The fellow should start on the research schedule he/she has prepared under the guidance of one of the senior glaucoma consultants. The fellow is encouraged to do combined cataract and glaucoma procedures and trabeculectomies under supervision on selected patients. The fellow has ample opportunity and is encouraged to use all instruments and diagnostics under supervision during this period.
Last 7 months: In the 12th Month of the fellowship program, the fellow will see day to day glaucoma cross consultations under the supervision of glaucoma consultant to prepare for an independent role. In the last 6 months, the fellow sees independent consultations in the outpatient department as a senior resident. They will continue to perform surgeries and are also encouraged to supervise their junior colleagues. During this time he/she will have a weekly diagnostic posting to continue training in use of imaging modalities and perimetry.
The fellow has additional posting of one month in this period exclusively in the community ophthalmology department for cataract and glaucoma surgeries.
The fellows are encouraged to present their research work in a scientific meetings, [National, State and City meetings] and publish it in peer reviewed journals during this period.
Throughout the fellowship period, fellows will be on call on designated dates for emergency night on-call where he/she will be seeing emergency glaucoma/non-glaucoma/trauma patients and manage them in OPD as well as OT under the supervision of the consultant on-call. |