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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
Sankara Eye Hospital, Marathahalli, Bengaluru
STIPEND & FEES
- Monthly Remuneration: ₹40,000
- Caution Deposit: ₹80,000 (Equivalent to 2 months’ stipend).
- Deduction Schedule: ₹40k in the 1st month, followed by ₹20k each in the 2nd and 3rd months.
- Refund: Returned in full upon completion of the 2-year tenure.
DURATION
24 Months (2 Years)
(Split: 6 Months General Ophthalmology + 18 Months Cornea Specialty)
HONEST REVIEW
- Selection & Intake: One fellow is inducted every 6 months via a competitive entrance exam and interview. The program concludes with a mandatory exit examination.
- General Ophthalmology Phase (First 6 Months):
- Cataract Training: Heavily focused on SICS. Fellows are assigned a senior consultant mentor (from any specialty) for one-on-one training.
- Surgical Volume: Exceptional SICS volume, often exceeding 1,000 cases over the two years. Training includes managing complex scenarios (PXF, small pupils, iris hooks, anterior vitrectomy).
- Cornea Specialty Phase:
- Keratoplasty: Good hands-on for TPK and Optical PK (approx. 30–35 cases).
- Ocular Surface: Strong exposure to SLET, MMG, and AMG.
- Lamellar Surgery: Hands-on for DSEK is available but varies by patient flow; DALK and DMEK cases are relatively rare for fellows.
- Refractive Training: Occurs in the final 6 months. Exposure is limited primarily to PRK (3–4 independent cases; others are steps). There is no hands-on for LASIK, and the center does not currently house a SMILE machine.
- Phacoemulsification: Introduced in the final 6 months. Expect 70–100 cases, though these are typically performed under peribulbar anesthesia (no topical phaco).
- Work Culture & Duties:
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
- Call Rotations: Very intensive “Weekly Call” blocks (Sunday to Saturday) occur 2–3 times in the first 6 months. This involves 12-hour overnight shifts (8 PM – 8 AM) with a recovery day following each shift.
- Sunday Duties: Regular rotations for Sunday OPD (8 AM – 1 PM) and outreach camps.
PERSONAL OPINION
Sankara Bengaluru is a “Surgical Workhorse” fellowship. It is arguably one of the best places in India to become a master of SICS and complex anterior segment management. While the refractive and lamellar hands-on is more conservative compared to premium private centers like Narayana Nethralaya, the sheer volume of 1,000+ SICS cases ensures you graduate with “iron hands.” It is ideal for those planning to work in high-volume charitable or government sectors.
