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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
The Eye Foundation, R.S. Puram, Coimbatore
(A high-tech tertiary care center affiliated with Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, known for its expertise in micro-invasive glaucoma surgeries.)
STIPEND & LOGISTICS
- Monthly Remuneration: ₹35,000 (Competitive for the region; recently updated for 2026).
- Caution Deposit: ₹25,000 (Refundable).
- Accommodation: Free single accommodation is provided on-campus for long-term fellows.
- Work-Life Balance: Generally good. The environment is non-toxic, and work timings are reasonable (typically 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM), allowing for self-study.
DURATION
24 Months (2 Years)
(Note: Some institutional documents list a 1-year track, but the clinical fellowship typically follows an 18-month training + 6-month adjunct model.)
HONEST REVIEW
- Surgical Hands-on (The “SICS to Phaco” Bridge):
- Progression: The program includes Phacoemulsification training. Your transition to Phaco is directly dependent on your SICS proficiency. Most fellows are started on Phaco within their first year.
- Autonomy: If you enter the fellowship already proficient in Phaco, the institute is very generous—you are allowed to operate freely with no strict caps on cataract numbers.
- Specialty Glaucoma Procedures:
- MIGS & GATT: The Eye Foundation is a leader in MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery) and GATT (Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy). While clinical exposure to these is exceptional, independent hands-on for fellows is minimal and usually reserved for senior stages.
- Trabeculectomy: Surprisingly, traditional “Trabs” are not the primary focus here compared to newer surgical modalities, so independent hands-on for filtration surgery may be lower than in trust-based hospitals.
- Clinical Exposure:
- Diagnostics: Excellent hands-on with high-end tools: GATT-capable gonioscopy, OCT-RNFL, UBM (Ultrasound Biomicroscopy), and Ocular Response Analyzer.
- Procedures: Good volume for Nd:YAG Peripheral Iridotomy (PI) and Valve Implants (observation/assisted).
- Academics: Primarily self-learning. While there are case discussions and occasional seminars, there is no rigorous daily classroom schedule. You are expected to maintain a detailed logbook and clear a final exit examination.
