Cornea Fellowship review @ Aravind Eye Hospital, Pondicherry

Selection- by interview

Recently fellowship duration has been increased to total of 2 yrs

6 months posted in Gen Ophthal dept + 18 months in Cornea dept

Fellow intake is random and happens frequently, sometimes every 3 months.. so as many as 5 fellows may exit in a month when their fellowship is over

Stipend 40k in 1st yr, 50k in 2nd yr

They start you on SICS from 3rd month of gen ophthal posting

Phaco training is now included since it's been increased to 2 yrs but no fixed number is promised

However fellows get phaco only after they have done at least 500-1000 SICS which can mean you get phacos only in last 3 months

Every fellow has 1 cataract OT and 1 cornea OT per week- usually 1 SICS/phaco per cataract OT- number increases based on your skill and speed 

Cornea OP - good range of exposure to all kinds of Cornea cases

You get hands-on for all common corneal procedures, AMG, pterygiums, corneal tear repairs etc 

Penetrating KPs- minimum of 15 cases, no fixed number is promised

Good exposure to lamellar surgeries but hands-on not given.. one or two lucky fellows may get 1 DSEK in the very end and that too, mostly steps

Refractive cases- there is good exposure and you are trained in workup and selection of patients 

Hands-on for 1-2 PRKs may be given towards end of fellowship 

Mostly LASIK & PRK done here, no SMILE

Night duties once a month and Sunday duties once in 3-6 months, however your other Sundays may still be occupied with camp/ post-op duty

Academics- classes+

Hectic dept, minimal toxicity