Glaucoma Fellowship review @ Sadguru Netra Chikitsalaya (SNC), Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh

Duration of fellowship 3 yrs.

All fellowships here are of 3 yrs (with cataract included) except for the exclusive retina fellowship that is 2 yrs. 

Selection only on the basis of interview. There is no fixed intake. Interviews are conducted twice a year (February & August).

They are not strict about number of fellows they take per session. They may increase or decrease the seats as per requirement but there are minimum 4 seats per specialties.

Glaucoma fellows share cataract OTs with other fellows of different specialties. Along with this, differnt specialties have fixed specialty OT days. On your allotted day, you get to do cases of your specialty.

Initially they will train you in SICS under consultant supervision. After n number of cases, you'll be free to do SICS surgeries independently depending upon individual surgeon's confidence. 

Phaco will start in 2nd yr only after you are confident enough in SICS. 

After that they'll train you in vitrectomy and how to do complex cases like small pupil, zonular laxity, brown cataract, PXF, subluxated lens etc.

You get vast exposure of each and every kind of clinical cases not only in glaucoma but other specialties also.

Its very, very hectic due to high patient load both in opd or OTs. But no toxicity in the workplace.

Depending upon their availability, both senior consultants and senior fellows will train you in SICS but phaco training will be given by only senior consultants.

On an average, cataract / IOL fellow will do approx 550 to 600 phacos while other specialties' fellows will get approx 350 to 400 phaco cases. 

This difference is due to fact that other specialty fellows will have to do their specialty cases also.

They'll train you in advanced cataract cases also (small pupil, pxf, hard cataract). 

Iris claw lens insertions given only to IOL fellows.

Reg MIGS & GATT-

Honestly speaking, I didnt get any MIGS cases. This is due to fact that majority of our pts belong to rural backgrounds (cost not affordable). 

Along with this, majority of cases we see are moderate to advanced glaucoma (so MIGS/ GATT not indicated).

No peripheral postings, no camp duties. On your night call duty you have to stay in hostel. One DNB student will be there to attend the emergency, they inform you as and when cases come. There will also be a consultant on call. If required you may call them for opinion. As such, night duty is not an issue.

Academics- 

There is a mandatory journal club class conducted on Saturday morning 8 am in which all senior consultants & all fellows will be present for discussion.

There is a separate class schedule for particular departments, at least 3- 4 days per week.

They are generally scheduled for 7: 45 am to 8: 00 am. Classes may be discontinued in peak cataract season and then resumed after.

NOTE- After joining, there will be an observation period of 1 month. 

If you feelm you're not comfortable enough to continue then you may leave the institute within 1 month. 

Beyond this if you resign, then you have to pay a bond money of 2 lacs.