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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 completion of the 2-year tenure.
DURATION
24 Months (2 Years)
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.
- Medical Retina (Initial Phase): The early months are dedicated to diagnostics and medical management. Fellows gain proficiency in B-scans, FFA, OCT, and retinal lasers (PRP, barrage). Intravitreal injections are also introduced early.
- Surgical Training: * Timeline: Hands-on “steps” typically begin around the 3rd month.
- Supervision: A unique aspect of Sankara’s VR department is the heavy reliance on Senior Fellows for training. Because consultants are primarily occupied with private patients, senior fellows act as the primary mentors for OPD management and initial surgical steps.
- Autonomy: Independent “start-to-finish” cases are rare. You will graduate with high familiarity in surgical maneuvers, but the absolute numbers are notably lower than high-volume charitable models like Aravind or LVPEI.
- Specialty Exposure:
- ROP: Exposure is limited. Training follows a trajectory of observation followed by independent screening once the faculty is confident in your skills. However, hands-on ROP lasers are generally not provided to fellows.
- Cataract: There is no adult cataract (Phaco/SICS) training included in the VR track.
- Clinical Workflow: Fellows observe patients alongside senior colleagues initially and are not permitted to dispose of cases independently until deemed competent.
- Work Culture & Duties:
- General Phase (First 6 Months): Likely involves the institutional “Weekly Night Duty” (8 PM – 8 AM) for seven consecutive days, similar to other Sankara tracks.
- Environment: Professional and structured, though surgically more conservative than purely charitable institutes.
PERSONAL OPINION
Sankara Bengaluru’s VR fellowship is a “Step-Wise Refinement” program. It is best suited for candidates who prefer a structured, academic environment and are comfortable with a slower surgical curve. While you may not graduate with massive independent numbers, the diagnostic foundation and the exposure to a high-end private patient base provide a different kind of clinical “polish.” It is a good choice for those who intend to work in corporate or organized private sectors post-fellowship.
