Oculoplasty & Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship review @ Little Flower Hospital & Research Centre, Angamaly, Kerala

Duration- 24 months, only one fellow at a time.

Selection - Online submission of CV and letter of interest, followed by an interview with the director and the head of subspeciality (very informal). Preferable to apply 3- 6 months before the current fellow finishes.

Clinical Exposure - Good. 8 on a scale of 10. 

Surgical Exposure - 7 on a scale of 10. Adequate hands on for all common Oculoplasty procedures. Very minimal exposure to endoscopic and bony orbital surgeries like decompressions and fractures. Will need further workshops to update ourselves.

Oncology is not specified as a part of the fellowship. But good exposure to lid, lacrimal and orbital malignancies. Intraocular tumors (RB, Choroidal melanoma) are not dealt with.

Cosmetic procedures botox, blepharoplasties yes but limited as patient demand is still less.

Work timing- 8 am- 4 pm, unless there are any emergency lid tear repairs (canalicular or margin involving).

Work environment- Hectic in the initial few months, then it becomes easier. Not toxic, 3 consultants involved in training. It is ideal if you join one month before the previous fellow leaves, so that you get a hang of things. 

Interesting case discussions, publications, presentations, FAICO all are encouraged but depends on the fellow's interest.

Night duties Approx 4 per month, as second on call.

(Initial few months will have to work as first on call, it will be hectic). As second call you get to operate open globe injuries, corneal tears. That's a plus, if you haven't had any such exposure.

Other duties - Evening OP duty from 4 pm to 5:30 or 6 pm on a weekly basis or on a monthly basis (if you are lucky).

Camps once or twice every month, weekday or weekend. 

Peripheral centre posting one day a week.

Cataract exposure - Personally did 250+ SICS over 2 years, 20 Phaco in last 1 month. Free to choose your pick from camp cases. Can slowly work your way up to complicated cases. Your own subspecialty consultants are expected to train you in Phaco and the number and duration depends on their willingness and rapport with you. 

Neuro-Ophthalmology

Is included in the fellowship as it is dealt by the same department. Throughout the 2 years you will get to see lots of cases.

Clinical exposure is good in a way that you get to see a wide variety of cases. But management is not always textbook and you are left to educate yourselves.

The advantage is that this is a rare combination of fellowship (Oculoplasty + Neuro-Ophthal) and makes a lot of sense as there are so many overlapping conditions between them.

Good option for people who want Neuro-Ophthalmology exposure with a fellowship other than Paed Ophthal.

My take is all fellowships have lacunae and it is up to us how much further we want to educate ourselves. And this fellowship program is worth it.