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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya (SSDN), Guwahati (Assam)
STIPEND
- Monthly Remuneration: ₹40,000
- Financial Policy: No caution deposit or admission fee required.
- Accommodation: Provided off-campus with a monthly maintenance charge of ₹5,000.
DURATION
24 Months (2 Years)
HONEST REVIEW
- Selection & Induction: Inducts 1–2 fellows annually via an interview (online or walk-in). The program begins with a structured one-month dry lab and wet lab orientation to calibrate surgical skills.
- Rotational Curriculum: Fellows rotate through various sub-specialties every 2–3 months. This provides broad OPD exposure and varying degrees of surgical step-training across different departments.
- Surgical Progression (SICS): Hands-on SICS training commences in the second month. Initially, fellows are allocated one case per session, twice a week, sharing the surgical pool with PG residents. Volume increases based on demonstrated surgical confidence.
- Phacoemulsification Training: The transition to Phaco is merit-based. Proficiency in SICS is a prerequisite. Skillful trainees may begin Phaco within the first year; however, those newer to surgery may only receive Phaco cases in the final six months of the tenure.
- Surgical Scope: Training includes management of advanced cataract cases. Notably, there is no formal training for complication management; senior consultants typically take over if complications arise. Topical Phaco is not part of the standard curriculum.
- Academic Schedule: Rigorous morning academics with 30-minute classes daily at 8:00 AM, extending to one-hour sessions on Wednesdays and Saturdays starting at 7:30 AM.
- Work Culture & Duties: The environment is professionally hectic but non-toxic, with approachable faculty. Duties include one night call and one Sunday duty per month, alongside 1–2 mandatory outreach camps.
PERSONAL OPINION
This is a solid, well-rounded fellowship for those who want a “Comprehensive” label and exposure to all sub-specialties before settling into a specific practice. It is particularly good for building a strong SICS foundation and a respectable Phaco curve. However, because complication management is handled by consultants, fellows may need to be proactive in observing those maneuvers to ensure they are truly independent by the end of the two years.
