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

Duration 3 yrs (modified to 2 yrs fellowship + 1 yr consultancy from 2026 onwards)

4-5 fellows taken every 6 months

Selection- interview

Stipend- has changed for 2026, till now it was 50k in 1st yr, 60k in 2nd and 80k in 3rd yr

In 1st year you are rotated between diff specialities every 2 months

OT is infrequent in first 6 months, like once a week

After 6 months OT chances pick up

You start with SICS 

Phaco is started after 1.5 yrs

Initially you get 10 phacos per week in first 6 months

Then it rises to 24 cases or more per week 

Fellows get average of 600+ cases in last year

You get to operate advanced cataract cases (pxf, small pupil, hard cat etc) 

You are trained to manage complications

Also trained to put iris claws

You also get to do some topical phacos at the end

Classes every week, except in peak camp season when it gets too busy.

Work timings 9 to 6 but in peak season it can even go up to 7.30 pm

No periphery postings

No night duties

No Sunday duties except morning rounds for post op pts

Dept is hectic but not toxic

Good program, you exit as an independent phaco surgeon by the end of fellowship.