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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
Giridhar Eye Hospital (Giridhar Eye Institute), Kochi, Kerala
(A premium tertiary center known for high-end technology and strong academic leadership under Dr. A. Giridhar.)
STIPEND
- Monthly Remuneration: ₹50,000
- Financial Policy: Competitive for the region; reflects the fellow’s significant contribution to both the OPD and OT wings.
DURATION
18 Months (1.5 Years)
HONEST REVIEW
- Structure & Rotation: Inducts two fellows per session. The fellowship is divided into two distinct blocks:
- IOL Posting (1 Year): Focuses on anterior segment surgery.
- Medical Retina Posting (6 Months): Focuses on diagnostics and non-surgical retina.
- Fellows typically switch roles mid-way to ensure both receive the full curriculum.
- IOL & Cataract Training:
- Surgical Schedule: OT is three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday).
- Hands-on Progression: Starts with one case per session. Training begins with SICS; once mastered, you transition to Phacoemulsification (typically around the 6-month mark).
- Volume: Initial batches reported performing 100+ SICS followed by approximately 60 Phacos during the IOL year.
- Mentorship: Fellows work closely with Dr. S.J. Saikumar (Medical Superintendent), a renowned cataract trainer.
- Medical Retina (MR) Training:
- Procedures: High-volume hands-on for retinal lasers (PRP, Barrage) and a variety of intravitreal injections (including Ozurdex implants).
- Diagnostics: Intensive training in FFA, ICG, OCT, and wide-field imaging.
- Clinical Workflow:
- Non-OT Days: Work typically starts at 8:30 AM and runs until 6:30 PM.
- OT Days: Early start (7:30 AM). Even if the OT list finishes early, clinical/OPD work continues until 6:00 PM.
- Duties: * Calls: Night duties (3/month) as second-on-call to PGs; Sunday calls (1/month).
- Camps: Mandatory outreach camp duties every alternate Sunday.
- Rounds: IOL fellows are responsible for Sunday post-operative rounds.
PERSONAL OPINION
The IOL + Medical Retina hybrid at Giridhar is a “Strategic Professional” fellowship. In today’s market, many specialists struggle because they are “too specialized”—this program fixes that by making you a competent Phaco surgeon while giving you a high-demand sub-specialty in Medical Retina. It is ideal for someone planning to start their own practice or join a group practice where they can independently handle 90% of the cases that walk through the door.
