Phaco-Refractive Fellowship review @ Prasad Netralaya, Udipi, Karnataka

Duration 18 months

Selection exam+ interview

Under RGUHS so there is an exit exam.

You start with SICS in camp pts and once you become proficient, you become trainer to junior fellows and PGs.. next stage is they give you SICS in private pts.. then based on your skill and dexterity, they start phaco soon after.

Phaco training usually starts in first year or at least by the end of 1st yr.

Cataract OT runs every day

Camps also every day (sometimes even 2-3 in a day)

Before moving to phaco, they also teach you to do ant vitrectomy and put iris claws.

Some penalties- if a normal cataract camp pt ends up requiring iris claw lenses due to complications, the fellow has to pay the extra cost.

If you use too much visco (2+), might also have to pay a nominal amount.

You get good number of phacos, around 200+ with progression to topical phacos by the end.

Refractive exposure ++, may get to do an occasional PRK or SMILE.

Work environment very hectic but not toxic.

Peripheral postings to other centres are there.

Night duties and Sunday calls + with turns depending on no of fellows.