Phaco & Refractive Surgery review @ Narayana Nethralaya, Bengaluru

It's for 2 yrs

Selection was by zoom interview. 

I knew how to do SICS when I joined and I got to do around 150+ phacos including lots of topical phaco as well. 

Training starts with SICS and then based on your progress, they move you to phaco. They let you operate all kinds of cataract and you are also allowed to manage complications but they will not train you specifically in it.

Work starts at 8 am, finishes typically by 6.30 pm but in the initial 6 months, you will work late evenings. You don't get much off-time after work.

Research participation is mandatory at NN so case workups and data collation works (excels, powerpoints etc) are something you are expected to pick up. It might feel crazy but it's balanced by their conference opportunities- you can attend national or international conferences as many as you want- and the plus is you get to represent NN at the conferences which builds your professional reputation.

There are of course night duties, camp duties, Sunday duties. Almost all Sunday mornings are working- after morning Refractive rounds, the rest of the day is free.

On the refractive side, I got plenty of hands on in LASIK, PRK, SMILE, INTACS, ICL, C3R. You also learn to work up for toric IOLs, how to select good candidates etc

Leaves are not encouraged. Stipend is 56k per month.

They require a 1 lac caution deposit upfront when you join and if you decide to drop out in between, you have to pay back all the stipend you got before you can get your certificates and leave the program.