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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai
(The “Center of Excellence” and global flagship of the Agarwal’s group, world-renowned for innovations like Glued IOL and PDEK.)
STIPEND & SELECTION
- Monthly Remuneration: ₹40,000
- Selection Process: A competitive written MCQ exam followed by a personal interview.
- Intake Cycles: Twice a year (April and October). Generally, one fellow is inducted every 6 months to maintain a staggered training pipeline.
- Exit Exam: None. However, internal theory-based assessments are conducted every three months.
DURATION
24 Months (2 Years)
HONEST REVIEW
- Surgical Hands-on (The “Supracapsular” Start):
- Timeline: Unlike many academic centers, Phaco training starts in the first month (1–2 cases per week).
- Technique: You are primarily taught the Supracapsular Phaco technique (prolapsing the nucleus into the anterior chamber before emulsification).
- The “Vellore” Posting: A 1-month peripheral stint at the Vellore branch is a highlight, where fellows perform higher daily volumes (2 cases/day) and are introduced to standard “In-the-Bag” Phaco to round out their skills.
- Surgical Hands-on (Cornea):
- First 3 Months: Mostly clinical (OPD) and OT observation.
- Months 4–24: Progression to Keratoplasty (KP). Training starts with graft suturing steps and moves to independent surgeries after 8–9 months.
- Volume: Fellows typically graduate with 25–30 KPs, though high-performers may reach 50 cases.
- Specialty Procedures: Strong exposure to AMG (Amniotic Membrane Graft), SLET (Simple Limbal Epithelial Transplantation), and CAIRS (Corneal Allogenic Intrastromal Ring Segments).
- Lamellar Trends: The center specializes in PDEK (Pre-Descemet’s Endothelial Keratoplasty) rather than DSEK/DMEK.
- Refractive Surgery:
- Hands-on: Solid exposure to the modern refractive suite. Fellows get hands-on experience in SMILE, PRK, and Femto-LASIK.
- Advanced “Agarwal” Specialties:
- Training includes Glued IOLs, secondary IOL fixations, and managing complex anterior segment trauma including anterior/posterior vitrectomies.
- Work Culture & Duties:
- Hours: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (starts at 7:00 AM during the initial OT-prep phase).
- Calls: Monthly rotation for evening (till 8 PM), night, and Sunday duties.
- Environment: Professional corporate setting; no bond money or admission fees required.
PERSONAL OPINION
Agarwal’s Chennai is a “Technological Masterclass.” It is the ideal program for a surgeon who wants to be at the cutting edge of Refractive and Complex Anterior Segment surgery. While the supracapsular phaco technique is unique to the Agarwal system, the Vellore posting provides the necessary balance for standard practice. You will graduate as a very versatile surgeon capable of handling not just routine transplants, but also the “nightmare” cases of iris loss and lens dislocation that this institute is famous for.
