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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
Sankara Eye Hospital, Marathahalli, Bengaluru
STIPEND & FEES
- Monthly Remuneration: ₹40,000
- Admission Fee: None.
- Caution Deposit: ₹80,000 (Equivalent to 2 months’ stipend).
- Deduction Schedule: ₹40k in the 1st month, then ₹20k each in the 2nd and 3rd months.
- Refund: Returned in full upon successful completion of the 1.5-year tenure.
DURATION
18 Months (1.5 Years) (Split: 6 Months General Ophthalmology + 12 Months Glaucoma 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.
- Surgical Training (Glaucoma):
- Trabeculectomy: Hands-on begins within the first few months, initially with SICS-Trabs.
- Volume: Exceptional hands-on exposure with roughly 80–100 Trabeculectomies performed over the course of the fellowship.
- Advanced Procedures: Exposure to Glaucoma Drainage Devices (GDDs) is available, with fellows occasionally getting to perform cases. MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery) exposure is present, but hands-on is generally not provided.
- Cataract Training:
- Phase 1 (General Ophthal): High-volume SICS training starts after the first month. Fellows are trained to manage complications (anterior vitrectomy, etc.) during this phase.
- Phase 2 (Final 6 Months): Dedicated Phacoemulsification training. Fellows can expect approximately 100 Phaco cases. Note that these are performed under anesthesia; no topical phaco is taught.
- Work Culture & Duties:
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
- The “Weekly Call” Grind: In the first 6 months, you will face 2–3 rotations of grueling week-long night calls (8 PM – 8 AM). You work the night, take the following day off, and return the next night for the full week.
- Routine Duties: Regular Sunday OPD (8 AM – 1 PM) and mandatory outreach camp duties.
PERSONAL OPINION
Sankara Bengaluru is a premier choice for those who want to graduate as surgically confident Glaucoma specialists. The number of Trabeculectomies (80–100) is significantly higher than at many private “premium” fellowships. While the work-life balance is challenged by the intense night-call rotations in the first six months, the trade-off is mastery of both high-volume SICS and specialized glaucoma filtration surgery.
