It's a pure cornea fellowship, not cornea refractive. No cataract surgeries given. Duration- 18 months Selection is only by interview Stipend is 25k 1-2 fellows taken per session when the previous ones are about to finish. This is a charitable hospital, there is no refractive setup. The cornea hands on is good, the numbers are not as much as premier institutes but whatever case comes, they'll let you do.  They'll give DSAEK also once you're doing well with the PKs Main disadvantage here is that they don't give you cataract. There are no camp duties. No night/holiday duties. Academics- no formal classes but consultant is a good teacher, it's up to the fellow to read up. It's not at all toxic. Timings from 8 to 4 or sometimes 5 depending on the ward work.

Duration 1.5 yrs 2 fellows taken per session but 2nd fellow joins 7-8 months after the 1st fellow. Stipend 50k Only fellows who know phaco are selected, at the minimum you should be able to put IOL in sulcus in case of a PCR. You get good hands-on in refrac procedures, allowed to do Lasik, SMILE etc independently within 3-4 months of joining. Corneal surgeries- much lesser hands-on given, you get 10-12 keratoplasties at most, mostly therapeutic (numbers may be lesser for some fellows). You get to do 1 lamellar surgery at the very end of fellowship. Free hands-on for other corneal procedures like pterygiums, C3R  Fellows get trained by consultants in corneal procedures. Phaco cases are left entirely to the fellow's discretion to operate and handle complications on their own when in OT, other consultants will be busy doing their own cases. So if you know basic phaco, the program is good in helping you get better at it. Timings  If one fellow works 9-7.30 pm, then the other fellow works 10- 8 pm the same day and then both alternate timings next day. You share night calls and Sunday duties with PGs, but often times they are posted in periphery so fellows end up getting more call duties. Sunday duties 7 am- 7 am next day, 3 hour break, followed by joining back at duty from 10 am Sundays- OP till 3 pm (avg 50 pts) and then you attend calls.. can get busy at times

Selection by interview, random intake on need basis Stipend 90k per month for 2 years Fellows per session- Depends but ranges from 1-3 , sometimes paid fellow also present (it's usually 6 Lakh for one year paid surgical VR without any stipend) Duration of fellowship- 2 years .. Initially only lasers and anti vegf then gradually give steps of surgery Any cataract/ phaco hands-on? Nil.. No ... Nada First you develop medical retina skills with diagnosis and investigations (OPD postings) and OT postings are also there where intravit inj. are given... Gradually retinal lasers given under supervision but later they give full fledged laser room to perform lasers in all patients. For surgery- they start with core vitrectomy- then nucleus drop cases of social/free segment- then steps of RD/ Macular hole surgeries. Almost nil ROP surgeries exposure though. Usually fellows exit the program with independent macular hole surgeries done. Clinical exposure- depends on the consultant where you are posted - some see 30 pts per day where you will get to know indepth about everything from patient- disease - prognosis and some consultants see 100 pts per day so you get exposure in a rush setting also where you just diagnose and there isn't much discussion about the disease or topic .. usually lots of cases and a good variety. It's non toxic and borderline hectic environment; slightly more than residency but not so hectic. You get free at 6-7 pm everyday except rarely when some surgeon is still operating in OT (usually consultants tell fellows if they wish can leave). All consultants train fellows- some give good hands on and some impart good clinical skills Lots of lasers and intravit injection hands-on... enough to get you very bored and very confident. No ROP hands on and very few cases of ROP screening- you get to examine a few cases in 2 years, that's it. Peripheral postings- in Kolkata and Berhampore centre are given... Night calls equally divided between DNB and all fellows so maybe 1-2 night per month which is non hectic.. some1-5 pts per night duty. Academics were lacking but now Retina dept conducts own dept classes without DNB where they have raised the quality of classes above DNB level. Daily work timings- 8.30am to 5.30pm but it extends to 6-6.30pm usually Bond of 3 years and they prefer local docs or docs who are willing to stay there.. No caution deposit... However bond is not rigidly enforced, if fellow is not willing they can intimate the management of the same and leave. There are rumours that there is no bond anymore, this needs to be clarified at the time of selection interview.

Selection- by interview Total of 2 yrs First six months posted in Gen Ophthal dept + 18 months in Glaucoma dept Fellow intake is random and happens frequently, they may take in fellows every alternate month as well depending on the no: of fellows abt to finish  Stipend 40k in 1st yr, 50k in 2nd yr They start you on SICS from 3rd month of Gen Ophthal posting Phaco training included.. given in last 5-6 months of fellowship, you get an average of 40 phacos   Good hands-on for trabs and SICS trabs, total no of trabs you get around 40 Glaucoma OP- good range of cases, every textbook case seen  You get liberal hands-on for glaucoma lasers   Exposure to AGV and MIGS is ++ But hands-on is limited- you may get 1 AGV and some 4-5 MIGS towards the latter end of fellowship  Night duties once a month, Sunday duties once in 3-6 months but Sundays may still be occupied with camps or post-op duties Academics- classes usually with DNB PGs Work timings 7.30 - 7.30 pm

Selection- by interview Recently fellowship duration has been increased to total of 2 yrs 6 months posted in Gen Ophthal dept + 18 months in Cornea dept Fellow intake is random and happens frequently, sometimes every 3 months.. so as many as 5 fellows may exit in a month when their fellowship is over Stipend 40k in 1st yr, 50k in 2nd yr They start you on SICS from 3rd month of gen ophthal posting Phaco training is now included since it's been increased to 2 yrs but no fixed number is promised However fellows get phaco only after they have done at least 500-1000 SICS which can mean you get phacos only in last 3 months Every fellow has 1 cataract OT and 1 cornea OT per week- usually 1 SICS/phaco per cataract OT- number increases based on your skill and speed  Cornea OP - good range of exposure to all kinds of Cornea cases You get hands-on for all common corneal procedures, AMG, pterygiums, corneal tear repairs etc  Penetrating KPs- minimum of 15 cases, no fixed number is promised Good exposure to lamellar surgeries but hands-on not given.. one or two lucky fellows may get 1 DSEK in the very end and that too, mostly steps Refractive cases- there is good exposure and you are trained in workup and selection of patients  Hands-on for 1-2 PRKs may be given towards end of fellowship  Mostly LASIK & PRK done here, no SMILE Night duties once a month and Sunday duties once in 3-6 months, however your other Sundays may still be occupied with camp/ post-op duty Academics- classes+ Hectic dept, minimal toxicity

(This is the only fellowship program the hospital has.) Selection- interview Duration 18 months Fellow intake is random ie, on need basis Fellows per session- Two Stipend- 30k/m No admission fees, no caution deposits They start with SICS at around 2-3 months and phaco around 8-9 months... but it depends on the fellow's calibre also.. I was fluent in SICS when i joined. Approx 800 SICS 700 PHACOS I got. Getting advanced cataracts (PXF, hard cataract, small pupil etc) depends on fellow's calibre... if they believe you have a good hand they will give... I have done almost every complicated case. I learnt complication management also, was taught to put iris claw, ant vitrectomy etc  They also let you do topical phaco if you're good enough.  Clinical exposure is really good.. we see all cases... We were posted in every department...Glaucoma...retina... pediatric.... Also charity OPD is seen independently so ... Clinical exposure is really good....  Work environment is hectic but only in season  Not toxic at all  We have both dedicated senior consultants to train and senior fellows training us  Refractive training is included.. Observation only ...but no hands on Peripheral postings are there.... Camp duties almost 2-3 per week but you're back home by evening... And night duties around 2 per month  Occasionally Sunday duties+

1 year duration  2-4 fellows/ session Selection- interview, no exam Fellow intake is usually in April, Oct Stipend 30k No admission fees, no bond You are promised 50 phacos over this 1 year but fellows on average get slightly more (80+ phacos). You start with SICS and then once competent, they start you on phacos. Phaco technique taught here is supracapsular method - where the cataract is popped out of the bag and emulsified in AC. You are started on phaco early on, fellow is usually give full cases to do, the training consultant takes over only where required. You get very less SICS numbers compared to phacos. You may get to do advanced cases (PXF, small pupil, hard cataracts) if you show proficiency. No training for iris claws. No topical phacos. You get hands-on for glued IOLs (some 3-4 cases) so you get to use the vitrector then and get a feel for ant vitrectomy. Also get hands-on for refractive procedures  Around 80-90 SMILE Pro (they do more of SMILEs at Agarwal's) 20-30 PRK Less of femto lasik (15-20) Work timings 8 - 5 pm Not hectic No lasers given, Yag caps are done by their PGs. PhacoRef fellows sit in Cornea OP but see mostly their Refrac cases, not cornea pts They also have camp pt duties (seeing pre-ops and post-ops) Camps- once every month/ every 2 months Night duties- once/ month Sunday duties- half day OP (8-1 pm), no compensatory off Evening duties- seeing OP from 5-8 pm  No peripheral postings but the hospital can post you on short notice to any of their other hospitals (even in other states) in the event of last min emergencies.  Academics- no formal classes, mostly self learning. They've started encouraging papers and publication work.

[This fellowship is different from their exclusive Medical Retina fellowship which is 1 year.] 2 years duration Medical Retina 1 year Uvea posting 1 year Stipend 55k Uvea posting- very good Uvea exposure.. opd wise.. is great Sx chance you get weekly once in Guindy branch.. One month only cataract posting in Guindy br when doing 1 yr Uvea posting They start with ECCE and then do Blumenthal SICS.. Phaco also.. Sx training.. basics one-to-one training is very good.. SICS.. around 40 Phaco some 10 cases Case nos depends on your proficiency and personal progress.. Complicated cases are given to fellows but for SICS.. No vitrectomy exposure Medical Retina posting Opd exposure good Laser chances ok-ok.. usually given in last 2 months.. approx 100 lasers u can expect  Inj not much given, usually 10, max 15-20 For Ozurdex inj, AC tap, PST inj, you have to keep asking.. There is also ROP training.. we get exposure.. not much.. just opd.. No hands-on for ROP lasers or injections.. Other than that, you can be independent with retinal lasers and inj by the end.. Dutywise- Ward duty monthly twice.. Sunday duty monthly once Night duty monthly twice. Not hectic.. Work is 8..5.. differs on OT days.. You have monthly posting with diff consultant 2 OT day with consultant.. you observe the OT and do case entry work... lots of file entry work.. Personal comments- Good clinical exposure.. Personally feel this fellowship is suitable for candidates not interested in doing sx (since cataract numbers are so low). You have to know hindi.. I didn't know hindi.. so I i had it tough.. but I picked up.. In SN, it's mostly hindi pts or bengali..

18 months Fellowship  Selection- MCQ exam followed by interview  2 fellows/ year Fellow intake every Jan, July Stipend 55k No phaco training but you get to operate cataracts (SICS) First month- orientation- shadow posting 1 month posting in Retina 2 months in Neuro Ophthal  1 month in Oculoplasty  After this you're in Paed Ophthal dept and posted with consultants First 6 months you do mostly SICS (Blumenthal technique used here) You have OT twice a week First 6 months also is when you do research/ paper work, one day per week is allotted for this (tends to be the 'day off' for the consultant you are posted with) You get mostly squints and some paed cataracts  Squints- mostly simple squints, R&Rs, plications- you get around 30 cases You are usually given only 1 muscle/ 1 eye to operate in squints- till the end of fellowship No independent cases given  Very rarely you might get a free/camp case to do 'independently' Paed cataracts, you get around 5-10 cases  Work timings 8-5 pm Hectic but not toxic Academics- squint meet weekly, mostly journal clubs Last 3 months are when you become SR and see OP independently and post cases to your name You exit as someone with good exposure to clinical paed ophthal but surgical finessing still required post fellowship. Also, no phaco training.

Duration 2 yrs 6 months of Gen Ophthal posting+ 18 months of Oculoplasty posting Selection- exam + interview Fellows taken every Jan and July- usually 1 fellow per centre Stipend 40k No admission fees They take 2 months salary of 80k as caution deposit- ( 40k taken in 1st month, 20k taken each in 2nd and 3rd months)- this is returned at the end of fellowship  They start you on SICS from 1st month itself, initially if you are in learning phase your mentor will help you in learning Later once you start doing independently, every fellow is assigned 2 cataract OT days in a week. You do max 25 SICS till the end of your session, they keep giving you cases esp if you can do fast and well. No penalties imposed for any cataract surgery complications. Cataract OTs are usually half day OTs (meaning you operate either in the morning session or the evening session) Phaco cases are given in last 10 months, you can expect an average of 200-300 phacos. Once you join Plasty dept, they assign you 2 days for Plasty OT as well. You get hands-on for all orbit surgeries- blepharoplasty, ptosis, entropion/ entropion correction, external DCR, Botox (complicated cases consultants will teach how to do it) The 2 cataract OT days continue and if you finish your half day and OP is not busy, they might send you to the Plasty OT to do cases there as well. On the dedicated Plasty OT days, you do only Plasty cases. On the dedicated cataract OT days, you do mostly cataracts for half day. And later, have to be in OPD.. if Opd is less and patient are posted for plasty surgeries, they will send you to do plasty cases. Paeds cases are also handled by this dept- they do NLD probings, ptosis repairs etc  Work timings is 9-6  Except on OT days if there are GA cases are posted then you have to come early to check everything is ready around 8 Peripheral posting to other Sankara centres may happen in between, for eg if you're good in cataract, you may get posted to their branches in other states to help with cataract load there.. this gives you very high cataract numbers. Similarly you may also be posted for speciality postings to other Sankara branches in the first 6 months during General Opd, you have night duty in which you have to evaluate the camp patients who come and make them ready for next days surgeries and it's literally the same routine for 1 whole week (Sun- Sat).. you start Sunday duty at 8 pm do till 8 am Monday then off for the day to come back again at 8 pm Monday to do till 8 am Tuesday and so on.. till Sunday morning During that night duty if emergency cases come at night in Opd, you have to see them. And calls have to be attended by speciality fellows depending on case, this continuous weekly duty will be once or twice in initial 6 months (Gen Ophthal posting). This weekly night duty never happen once you enter your speciality dept but you do have night calls where fellows may be called for any emergencies pertaining to their speciality.. usually such night calls are not busy. No night surgeries are done. Good exposure to orbital tumours in dept but intraocular tumours (RB, uveal melanomas etc) are dealt with by the VR dept You are expected to do at least 1 presentation and 1 publication during fellowship- compulsory- otherwise you receive a partial fellowship completion certificate in the end. There is an exit exam at the end of fellowship. Fellowship is good since you exit as an independent Oculoplasty and phaco surgeon.. however you don't get any exposure for topical phacos here.

Duration 2 yrs 6 months of Gen Ophthal posting+ 18 months of PhacoRef posting Selection- exam + interview Exit exam + 1-2 fellows taken once/ twice a year- on need basis Stipend 40k They take 2 months salary of 80k as caution deposit- ( 40k taken in 1st month, 20k taken each in 2nd and 3rd months)- this is returned at the end of fellowship. No admission fees. No penalties for any cataract surgery complications. At the start, you are assigned a senior consultant as mentor (can be from any speciality dept) who trains you one-on-one in SICS and phaco and also in managing complications.  They start you on SICS after 1st month while in Gen Ophthal, you get an average of 1000 SICS over 2 years. You are also gradually taught to manage your own complications (put CTR, iris hooks, iris claws, do ant vitrectomy etc) Phaco cases are given after 6-7 months. Once you are able to do phaco on your own, then your mentor no longer supervises you and you do all cases by urself thereafter.  Can expect an average of 200-300 phacos No topical phacos given. Refractive procedures-  After 6-12 months, you are given refractive procedures.  First they make you do some 7-10 C3Rs to get a feel for epith scraping after which toy are given PRK You get only PRKs (40-45)  Lasik not given. SMILE not done here (no machine). Work timings 8-6 pm On call- you have 2-3 rotations of weekly call in the first 6 months.. and it's literally for 1 whole week (Sun- Sat).. you start Sunday duty at 8 pm do till 8am Monday then you're off for the day to come back again at 8pm Monday and to do call till 8 am Tuesday and so on.. till Saturday. Camps are usually on Sunday- one Sunday camp duty per month You exit as an independent phaco surgeon with good experience in PRKs. No topical phaco experience though.

Duration 2 yrs 6 months of Gen Ophthal posting+ 18 months of Cornea posting Selection- exam + interview Exit exam + 1 fellow taken every 6 months Stipend 40k They take 2 months salary of 80k as caution deposit- (40k taken in 1st month, 20k taken each in 2nd and 3rd months)- this is returned at the end of fellowship  At the start, you are assigned a senior consultant as mentor (can be from any speciality dept) who trains you one-on-one in SICS and phaco and also in managing complications. They start you on SICS after 1st month while in Gen Ophthal, you get an average of 1000+ SICS over 2 years. While doing SICS, you are also given advanced cataract cases (PXF, small pupil, mature cataract etc) and gradually taught to manage your own complications (put CTR, iris hooks, iris claws, do ant vitrectomy etc)  Phaco cases are given in last 6 months, can expect 70-80 cases (some cross 100). No topical phacos given. Cornea surgeries- You get TPKs, opticals (some 30-35 cases) Also ocular surface procedures like SLET, MMG, AMG etc Lamellar procedure hands-on depends on whether pts are there when you are posted- mostly get few DSEKs; DMEK and DALK are rare Refractive procedures-  In last 6 months, you are given refractive OTs  You get only PRKs (3-4 independent cases, otherwise mostly steps)  Lasik not given  SMILE not done here (no machine) Timings 8-6 pm On call- you have 2-3 rotations of weekly call in the first 6 months.. and it's literally for 1 whole week (Sun- Sat).. you start Sunday duty at 8 pm do till 8am Monday then off for the day to come back again at 8pm Monday to do call till 8 am Tuesday and so on.. till Saturday. As cornea fellow, you are on call for the dept every day.. may be called by DNBs for any c/o redness that comes at night. Sunday OP duties (8-1), Sunday camp duties+