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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
Chaithanya Eye Hospital and Research Institute (CEHRI), Trivandrum, Kerala
(A premier tertiary eye care center in South India, known for its high-volume clinical work and strong academic foundation. It is a recognized DNB training center and a major referral hub for complex vitreoretinal diseases in Kerala.)
STIPEND & SELECTION
- Monthly Stipend: ₹53,000 (Standard DNB/Fellowship grade for 2026).
- Selection Process: Interview-based; competitive entry.
- Mentorship: Led by senior experts like Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair (Medical Director), ensuring exposure to cutting-edge retinal imaging and advanced surgical techniques.
DURATION
- Medical Retina: 1 Year
- Vitreo-Retinal Surgery (VR): 2 Years
(Total 3-year integrated track available for those seeking full surgical proficiency).
HONEST REVIEW
1. Clinical & Medical Retina Load (The “Gold Mine”)
- Volume: The clinical load is described as massive. A fellow can expect to perform or manage:
- ~1,000 Intravitreal Injections (Anti-VEGFs, Brolucizumab, etc.)
- ~100 Ozurdex Implants
- ~500 Retinal Lasers (PRP, Barrage, Macular grids)
- Diagnostics: Fellows get elite hands-on training in interpreting OCT, OCT-A, FFA, ICG, and B-Scan USG. The institute is at the forefront of using AI and “Big Data” in retinal diagnostics.
2. Surgical Hands-On (The “Skill-Dependent” Track)
- Progression: Surgical opportunities are directly proportional to your manual dexterity and “good hands.”
- Case Type: Fellows typically get independent basic cases such as Vitreous Hemorrhage.
- Advanced Surgery: Complex cases like Tractional Retinal Detachments (TRD), VMT, ERM, and FTMH are taught systematically. ILM peeling is usually introduced in the final 6 months of the 2-year VR track.
- The “Secondary IOL” Gap: A noted drawback is that Secondary IOL (SFIOL/Glued IOL) techniques are generally not a core part of the teaching curriculum here.
3. Academics & Environment
- Excellence: Academics are rated as excellent. The institute is research-heavy, with frequent publications in the Kerala Journal of Ophthalmology and international journals.
- Resident vs. Fellow: For DNB residents, the surgical hands-on is minimal; the surgical volume is heavily prioritized for the long-term VR fellows.
PROS & CONS
| PROS | CONS |
| Medical Retina: Unbeatable volume for lasers/injections. | Secondary IOL: Not a focus of the surgical training. |
| Stipend: Very competitive (₹53k) for the region. | Resident Hands-on: Minimal surgical time for DNBs. |
| Research: Elite opportunities for publications/AI studies. | Intensity: Extremely busy clinical schedule. |
