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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital, Bengaluru
STIPEND & FEES
- Monthly Remuneration: ₹75,000 (Full amount in hand; reportedly no TDS/deductions).
- Admission Fee: ₹2,00,000 (One-time, non-refundable).
- The “Exit” Penalty: A massive ₹5,00,000 (5 Lakhs) fine if you resign mid-way, plus a mandatory refund of all stipends earned.
- Surgical & Clinical Penalties:
- Nucleus/IOL Drop: ₹10,000 fine per case.
- Camp OT Cancellation: ₹5,000 fine (charged to the screening fellow).
DURATION
18 Months (1.5 Years)
HONEST REVIEW
- Selection & Intake: Inducts two fellows every six months. The Glaucoma department is smaller and less “crowded” than the massive Phaco-Refractive wing (which houses ~24 fellows).
- Surgical Split (Main vs. Trust):
- Main Hospital: Focuses on private patients. Fellows perform “steps” under direct supervision but rarely full independent cases.
- Trust/Charity Hospital: This is where the majority of hands-on happens.
- Cataract Training: Primarily focused on SICS. Interestingly, Glaucoma fellows often end up with “complex” cases (small pupils, PXF, hard nuclei) that are bypassed by Phaco fellows. While challenging, this provides excellent training for difficult anterior segments. Note: No formal Phacoemulsification training is included in the Glaucoma track.
- Glaucoma Hands-on:
- Trabeculectomy: Training starts around the 4th month, mostly as combined SICS-Trabs.
- The Supervision Gap: A significant critique is that while consultants train you on steps in the private OT, the Trust/Camp OT often lacks a dedicated Glaucoma senior. You may find yourself performing SICS independently, but without a Glaucoma mentor on-site to guide full Trabeculectomies.
- Advanced Procedures: Fellows observe high-end procedures like MIGS and GATT. Hands-on with devices like iStents is rare and depends largely on case availability and consultant discretion.
- Work Culture & Duties:
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The environment is manageable and non-toxic.
- Schedule: Outreach camps 1–2 times a week, night calls every 2 weeks, and Sunday duties once every 6 weeks.
- Academics: Structured learning with mandatory classes every Wednesday.
PERSONAL OPINION
Nethradhama’s Glaucoma fellowship is a high-stipend, high-technology program that offers great diagnostic depth. It is ideal for a self-starter who wants to become very comfortable with difficult SICS and medical glaucoma management in a premium setting. However, the lack of dedicated Glaucoma supervision in the charity OT and the absence of Phaco training are significant trade-offs. The strict financial penalties also necessitate a high level of surgical caution.
