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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
Sankara Eye Hospital, Guntur (Andhra Pradesh)
STIPEND
- Monthly Remuneration: ₹40,000
- Financial Note: A total security deposit of ₹80,000 is mandated. This is collected via salary deductions (₹40k in month one, and ₹20k each in months two and three) and is fully refundable upon successful completion of the tenure.
DURATION
24 Months (2 Years)
HONEST REVIEW
- Selection & Intake: The institute inducts three fellows every six months through a competitive MCQ-based entrance examination followed by a formal interview.
- Structured Progression: The first six months are dedicated to General Ophthalmology. Surgical exposure begins with SICS around the second or third month. Specialized Cornea rotations commence from the seventh month onwards.
- Corneal Surgical Hands-on: Offers extensive experience in therapeutic and optical keratoplasty, corneal trauma repair, C3R, and Mucous Membrane Grafting (MMG). Lamellar procedures, specifically DALK, are introduced toward the end of the fellowship.
- Cataract & Refractive Limitations: Phacoemulsification training is restricted to the final three months (approx. 20–30 cases). Advanced cases are typically managed via SICS rather than Phaco, and there is no exposure to topical Phaco or hands-on refractive surgery.
- Clinical Workload: The department is highly hectic. Standard hours are 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (often extending to 7:30 PM), supplemented by 8:00 AM daily academic sessions.
- Additional Responsibilities: Includes monthly night duties (continuous 24-hour shifts without compensatory offs), Sunday outreach camps (1–2 per month), enucleation calls, and weekly late-evening pre-operative workups for camp patients.
- Academic Mandates: To clear the exit exam, fellows must complete at least one peer-reviewed publication and one conference presentation.
PERSONAL OPINION
This program is an excellent fit for candidates who want to become “Cornea Specialists” in the truest sense, with a strong foundation in infection management and traditional grafting. It is a demanding, high-volume environment that prioritizes clinical grit. However, it is not the right choice for those seeking to refine high-end Phaco or Refractive skills, as those remain secondary to the core corneal curriculum.
