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Published on: January 27
Read Time: 2 min
Updated: February 4
Fellowship Overview
Duration: 2 years
Intake: 2 fellows every 6 months
Selection: Exam + Interview
Stipend: ₹40,000/month
Caution Deposit: ₹80,000
(₹40k in 1st month, ₹20k each in 2nd & 3rd month; refunded at end of fellowship)
Exit Exam: Yes
Honest Review of the Fellowship
In the first 6 months, the focus is entirely on OPD and diagnostics. Fellows perform B-scans and OCTs and learn detailed interpretation of retinal findings. There is extensive exposure to retinal lasers and intravitreal injections—volume is very high.
OPD exposure is excellent, with exposure to a wide variety of retinal cases.
Training Experience
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First 6 months: No surgical hands-on
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Surgical training begins after 6 months
Surgical progression:
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Port making steps
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Basic vitrectomy
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Gradual progression to vitrectomy with small proliferations
Final 9 months:
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Macular surgeries
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TRD
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CRD
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RRD cases
Additional Exposure:
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Uvea and Neuro-Ophthalmology cases managed within VR department
Limitations:
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Limited hands-on for SFIOLs and scleral buckling
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Limited ROP exposure (screening only, no lasers)
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RetCam expected soon (may improve ROP exposure)
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No phaco training
Work Culture & Duties
Working Hours:
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Junior: 8 AM – 8:30 PM
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Senior: 8 AM – 6/7 PM
Department: Very hectic but not toxic; consultants are approachable
Duties:
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2–3 on-call duties/month
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2 night duties/month
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1 Sunday duty/month
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1 weekend duty/month
Other:
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No peripheral postings
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Usually no camp duties (unless manpower shortage)
Academics
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Weekly classes
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Weekly online sessions with all Sankara branches (pan-India)
Personal Opinion
Overall, this is a very good VR fellowship with excellent surgical exposure and a strong learning curve. The high surgical volume ensures ample cutting opportunities, and you can become an independent VR surgeon by the end of 2 years.
However, the workload is intense, and exposure to scleral buckling, SFIOLs, and ROP treatment is limited.
Note
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