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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
PBMA’s H. V. Desai Eye Hospital, Hadapsar, Pune, Maharashtra
(A leading tertiary eye care and training institute in Western India, known for high-volume surgical output and NABH accreditation.)
STIPEND
- Year 1: ₹30,000
- Year 2: ₹35,000
- Note: This stipend is competitive for Pune, though fellows must typically manage their own local living expenses.
DURATION
- Current Status: Historically 18 months, increased to 24 months in 2024.
- 2026 Update: There are active discussions regarding reverting the program back to 18 months starting with the January 2026 batch. You should verify the final duration during your interview.
HONEST REVIEW
- Selection Process: Conducted twice a year (January and July). Admission is purely via personal interview (no written MCQ exam).
- Intake: Usually 1–2 fellows per session, depending on departmental requirements.
- Surgical Hands-on (Cornea):
- Keratoplasty: Training is focused on Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK). Therapeutic PKs are usually initiated at the 6-month mark, followed by Optical PKs at 12 months.
- Ocular Surface: Good volume for Amniotic Membrane Grafts (AMG), C3R (Cross-linking), Pterygium with autograft, and Corneal tear repairs.
- Lamellar & Refractive: Excellent clinical exposure and observation for DALK, DSEK, and LASIK/PRK; however, no independent hands-on is provided for these advanced procedures.
- Surgical Hands-on (Cataract):
- Phaco Training: Included in the curriculum but follows a conservative timeline. Fellows start with SICS first.
- Phaco Timeline: Phacoemulsification is generally introduced only in the last 6 months of the fellowship, with a typical frequency of 1 case per week.
- Clinical Exposure: Rated as “very good.” The hospital handles a high volume of diverse corneal infections, dystrophies, and trauma cases.
- Work Culture & Duties:
- Intensity: Described as very hectic.
- Camp Duty: Cornea fellows are required to see specialty cornea referrals from the screening camps (distinct from routine cataract workups).
- Academics: Structured around 2–4 classes per month.
PERSONAL OPINION
HV Desai Pune is a “Clinical Workhorse” program. It is an ideal choice for a candidate who wants to become an expert in managing corneal infections and trauma while gaining a solid foundation in Penetrating Keratoplasty. While the Phaco volume and lamellar hands-on are limited compared to some private fellowships, the sheer clinical variety in one of Pune’s busiest charitable hospitals ensures you graduate with exceptional diagnostic skills.
