Updated on: April 2024

Eligibility: 
The candidates should have completed Cornea Fellowship with surgical experience. National/International Candidates (pending MCI Clearance) can apply.

Duration: 3 months*
Medium of Instruction: English
Academic Cordinator: Dr Shweta Agarwal

Dr G Sitalakshmi Memorial Clinic for Ocular Surface Disorders

The ocular surface clinic at Sankara Nethralaya, one of its kind in the world, began functioning way back in 2005, with the specific aim of providing holistic care to those suffering from ocular surface disorders. The entire spectrum of OSD’s ranging from mild forms of dry eye to the devastating conditions such as Stevens Johnson syndrome are provided state of the art care through a very comprehensive approach.

As cornea specialists, one of the areas of super specialization, that is progressing at a rapid phase with respect to our understanding of pathophysiology, advances in technology and management modalities,is Ocular Surface Disorders.

The Clinic offers a short term fellowship in the subject to candidates with a keen incline of interest towards the Ocular Surface and its disorders.

Course Objectives

The aim of the course is to train interested candidates in the art of diagnosing and treating patients with ocular surface disorders. This has been designed with the objective of keeping pace with the current understanding and trends in the subject.

Candidates will have exposure to-

• Dry Eye Work-Up – A detailed workup including symptom questionnaire, dry eye investigations- basic and advanced ( tear volume and tear clearance tests, ocular surface staining, invasive and non-invasive tests, tear osmolarity testing, meibography, keratography and lipiview analysis and confocal imaging of corneal nerves)
• Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to Ocular Allergies
• Diagnostic Approach to Cicatricial Disorders of the Ocular Surface – Stevens Johnson syndrome, Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, chemical injuries of the eye, trachoma and others.
• Understanding the nuances of lid margin keratinization and clinical decision making
• Ocular Surface Reconstructive procedures- including symblepharon grading and its management, the use of amniotic membrane transplantation, simple limbal epithelial transplantation- auto and allo, the technical details of mucous membrane grafting for lid margin keratinization, minor salivary gland transplantation, role of punctal cautery in dry eye, tenon’s and conjunctival patch grafts and tectonic and optical keratoplasties.
• Decision making regarding the appropriate choice of keratoprosthesis for end stage ocular surface disorders and the techniques involved including perioperative care
• Decision making regarding the use of immunosuppressive medications in consultation with an internist for immune mediated conditions
• Diagnostic and Therapeutic approach to Ocular Surface Tumors
• Opportunity to assist in surgeries
• Select Ongoing / retrospective research work in the field of OSD
• Academics will include structured classes/ case presentations, journal discussions and video assisted skill transfer by the fellow and the team

How to apply

Kindly send in your resume including your surgical experience to drsal@snmail.org and please mark a copy to drrrg@snmail.org with the mail titled- Application for SN-OSC Fellowship.

(a reference letter from your institute / cornea colleague may be requested)

Selection process

Based on the resume and an interview - in person/ video conference, candidate will be selected

Duties and responsibilities of the fellow

Working hours: Monday to Saturday 8 am to 5pm*

Leave: Preferable if candidate does not avail of any leave during the tenure except for unforeseen circumstances.

(*operating and consulting hours might extend beyond 5pm)
(Academic sessions will usually be conducted after 5 pm)
(Any research related additional activity to be carried out after 5 pm)

A Fellowship Certificate will be presented to the candidate at the successful completion of the term

Accommodation

Accommodation on twin sharing basis will be provided for the selected candidates based on their request & availability at facilities provided for our postgraduate students and fellows.

The accommodation tariff – 5000 INR/ month.
This is excluding food / other expenses.