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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
Prasad Netralaya Super Specialty Eye Hospital, Udupi, Karnataka
(Affiliated with RGUHS; training occurs across Udupi and Mangalore centers.)
STIPEND & FEES
- Monthly Remuneration: Typically ₹30,000 – ₹45,000 (consistent with other specialty tracks at the institute).
- Admission Fee: Standard for RGUHS private fellowships; contact the academic cell for the 2026-27 update.
DURATION
18 Months (1.5 Years)
HONEST REVIEW
- Selection & Accreditation: This is an RGUHS-affiliated program requiring both an entrance and an exit examination. It is one of the few centers that integrates significant cataract training into a vitreoretinal fellowship.
- The “Cataract Advantage”: VR fellows at Prasad Netralaya receive “free hands” for both SICS and Phaco, achieving nearly the same surgical volume as anterior segment fellows. This is a rare benefit for retina trainees who often lose their cataract touch during specialized training.
- Medical Retina & Diagnostics: * OPD: Very high patient load with a wide variety of medical retina cases (diabetic retinopathy, ARMD, vascular occlusions).
- Lasers & Injections: Fellows get extensive hands-on for retinal lasers and intravitreal injections.
- Infrastructure: The department is well-equipped with high-end diagnostic suites and vitrectomy platforms.
- Surgical Retina (The Trade-off): Unlike cataract, surgical retina chances are reportedly slim. Most retina cases are paid/private, so fellows primarily observe and assist in advanced vitrectomies (PPV, RD repairs, ILM peeling) rather than performing them independently. You will graduate as a strong Medical Retina specialist with excellent “steps” knowledge in surgery.
- Work Culture & Duties:
- Intensity: The schedule is extremely hectic. A typical day is 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, but busy days can stretch from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
- Environment: Described as extremely non-toxic, with approachable and knowledgeable senior staff.
- Duties: 3–4 night duties per month (including general ophthalmic emergencies), mandatory outreach camps, and peripheral postings.
- Academics: Primarily self-driven with occasional structured teaching sessions.
PERSONAL OPINION
Prasad Netralaya’s VR fellowship is essentially a “Cataract-Retina Hybrid” program. It is perfect for a surgeon who wants to keep their Phaco skills razor-sharp while becoming an expert in Medical Retina and diagnostics. It is less suited for those seeking high-volume independent surgical vitrectomy numbers. However, the non-toxic culture and the massive clinical variety make it a top choice for those preparing for comprehensive private practice.
