Paediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Fellowship review @ Sadguru Chikitsa Netralaya (SNC), Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh

3 yrs duration

Phaco training included 

2-3 fellows taken per session, sometimes more based on need

Selection by exam + interview 

First 1.5 yrs you do cataracts (SICS) and are posted in diff speciality depts- only one rotation thru all depts.. SICS training begins 1 month after joining.

Phaco starts after 18 months, you are given Alcon training first week and then the consultants take over training, can expect at least 500 phacos.

Paed surgeries are also started simultaneously after 18 months, step wise.

You get hands-on for both simple and complex squint cases- minumum 30 cases.

Paed cataracts are also given, mostly older kids and those cases done under LA.

Younger kids are operated solely by senior consultants.

Can expect at least 30-40 paed cataracts.

Very very hectic OP but no toxicity

OT runs long, till 7 pm sometimes even 8 pm

Clinical OP is good- you see every textbook case

Regular classes + (3/ week)

You also get Neuro-Ophthal exposure since they are seen by the Paed Ophthal dept

Paed glaucoma cases are also handled by them- will get exposure to paediatric trabs, AGVs etc (but may not get hands-on for this)

Stipend 50k in 1st yr, 60k in 2nd yr, 70k in 3rd yr

No ROPs seen in the dept but you can observe in your Retina posting

Paed DCRs and NLD probings are done by Oculoplasty but they call Paed Ophthal fellows/ consultants also when operating.

Note- as mentioned in the other SNC reviews, the 1st month you join is observation period, if you feel you cannot continue with the fellowship, you can leave without paying any penalty. But if you leave any time after 1 month, you will have to pay 2 lacs.

They also take a caution deposit (deduct a certain percent from your salary till the end of fellowship) which is returned after you finish.

Another Note- The reviewer wanted to particularly mention that life in the SNC campus is good, they've got a clubhouse and other sports and entertainment aspects so fellows definitely have options for leisure after work. It's not a dead zone in campus after working hours.