Share This Article
NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
Retina Institute of Karnataka (RIK), Bengaluru
(A specialized unit of The Eye Foundation group, led by Dr. N.S. Muralidhar and Dr. Hemanth Murthy.)
STIPEND
- Monthly Remuneration: ₹25,000
- Financial Policy: Competitive for a short-term certificate course in a private setup.
DURATION
6 Months
HONEST REVIEW
- Selection & Intake: Admission is granted via a personal interview. The program typically has two intakes per year: June and December.
- Clinical Focus: This is an intensive “Medical-only” track. It is specifically designed to bridge the gap between a 2-month short-term course (which often lacks sufficient “numbers”) and a full 18-month surgical fellowship.
- Procedures & Hands-on:
- Lasers: Fellows perform a high volume of retinal lasers, including PRP (Panretinal Photocoagulation), barrage lasers for lattice/tears, and macular grids.
- Injections: Extensive hands-on for intravitreal anti-VEGF and steroid injections.
- Diagnostics: Mastery of FFA (Fundus Fluorescein Angiography), OCT, OCT-A, and B-scan ultrasonography.
- Autonomy: By the end of the 6-month tenure, most fellows report being completely independent in managing medical retina OPDs and performing all non-surgical retinal interventions.
- Work Culture:
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM.
- Lifestyle: A significant draw for many is the absence of night calls or Sunday duties, allowing for a predictable work-life balance.
- Academics: Includes a structured online class every Wednesday to discuss recent trials and complex cases.
PERSONAL OPINION
The Retina Institute of Karnataka is an excellent “finishing school” for ophthalmologists who want to add a solid Medical Retina wing to their existing practice without committing to years of surgical training. Because RIK is part of The Eye Foundation, the technology is top-tier (Zeiss/Heidelberg platforms). It is particularly ideal for those who already have a busy cataract practice and want to manage their own diabetic and vascular retina patients independently.
