Paediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Fellowship review@ MM Joshi Eye Institute, Hubli, Karnataka

Duration 1.5 yrs

Selection- MCQ exam followed by interview

2 fellows taken every year

Stipend 30k in first six months, 40k in next six, 50k in last six months

They take 1 lac as caution deposit before you join- this is refunded at the end of fellowship 

Cataract training included.. you start with SICS 

Phaco training given in last few months, some 100 cases 

Advanced cataract cases given but for SICS, not phaco

Few topical phacos may be given but only to proficient fellows 

After joining the dept, you start getting steps in surgery from your 1st month itself

You get to do squints and paed cataracts mostly.. the numbers you get depends on your skill.. some fellows get to do all kinds of cases while others will not get as many chances.

You are allowed to do squints independently by the end and also given paed cataracts if your consultant is confident in your skill

No ROP exposure

Dept is not hectic, not toxic.

Consultants are approachable, you are also expected to do papers and presentations in fellowship, it is a requisite.

Work timings 8am -7 pm

On call- night duties once a month

Sunday emergency duties very few, approx 1-2 Sundays during whole fellowship 

Might have to do half day on Sundays if you have postops from Saturdays 

All specialty fellows are expected to take enucleation call duties- once/twice a month 

Peripheral postings+ which are usually 1-2 months long, mostly managing OP there, no OT chances

Neuro-ophthal exposure is also+ 

Such pts are seen in Paed Ophthal dept itself and managed by them.. VR dept also sees neuro-ophthal cases when it overlaps with presenting condition and may send to Paed Ophthal for opinion or vice versa 

Overall a good fellowship, you exit as an independent surgeon who is able to operate squints and paed cataracts on your own. Phaco skill will need refining post fellowship.