FELLOWSHIP DIRECTORY: PHACOEMULSIFICATION

NAME OF THE INSTITUTE

Tulsi Eye Hospital, Nashik, Maharashtra

(A high-volume private eye care center in Nashik, known for its strong community outreach and surgical training.)

STIPEND & FEES

• Monthly Remuneration: * First 6 Months: ₹35,000
  • Next 6 Months: ₹40,000
• Admission Fee / Deposit: None. * Accommodation: Not provided. Fellows must arrange their own housing in Nashik.

DURATION

12 Months (1 Year)

(Note: If a candidate is not proficient in SICS during the initial interview, they may be redirected to the 1.5-year Comprehensive Fellowship, which focuses on foundational SICS steps first.)

HONEST REVIEW

• Selection: Intake is on a “need basis” rather than a fixed calendar. It involves a personal interview and a surgical trial; proficiency in SICS is a prerequisite for the 1-year Phaco track.
• Surgical Hands-on (The Phaco Journey):
  • Structure: The first 6 months are dedicated to SICS, while the latter 6 months focus on Phacoemulsification.
  • Volume: You start with one case per OT session (OT is 3 days a week). Numbers are increased based on your technical proficiency.
  • Autonomy: A major plus is that fellows can select their own cases from the camp pool, allowing for exposure to advanced cataracts (hard nuclei, small pupils) under senior supervision.
  • The “Shortage” Factor: Because there are 6 tables and limited staff, fellows are sometimes required to scrub in and assist their co-fellows, which provides extra observational learning but adds to the physical “hecticness.”
• Clinical Exposure:
  • OPD: Fellows assist senior consultants 3 days a week. However, you are generally not allowed to “dispose” or manage patients independently.
  • Procedures: Hands-on for YAG capsulotomies is available but requires the fellow to be proactive in identifying cases from camp patients.
• Work Culture & Duties:
  • Hours: Standard 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. However, morning rounds start at 7:00 AM.
  • The “Evening Grind”: Fellows rotate for “Evening Rounds” starting at 8:00 PM (sometimes lasting until 11:00 PM) to perform pre-operative workups for the next day’s OT.
  • Non-OT Days: Often spent giving local anesthesia blocks for the main hospital list.
• Academics: Regular classes are held, though much of the learning is practical and surgical.

PERSONAL OPINION

Tulsi Eye Hospital is a “Surgical Finishing School” for those who already have their basic SICS footing. It is a very practical, “no-frills” program. The ability to hand-pick your own surgical cases is a rare benefit that allows you to tailor your learning curve. While the evening workups and the lack of clinical independence in the OPD can be tiring, the focus on surgical volume makes it a solid choice for someone looking to become an independent phaco surgeon in a short span.