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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
Nandadeep Eye Hospital, Sangli, Maharashtra
(A specialized tertiary center known for its highly structured “Nandadeep Phaco Training” model, led by Dr. Saurabh Patwardhan.)
FEES & DURATION (2025-26)
- Basic Course: ₹3,50,000 for 50 cases.
- Advanced Options: * One “Advanced Case” is equivalent to two basic cases.
- Alternatively, you can pay a supplemental fee for specific advanced procedures.
- Duration: Flexible. It is not a fixed one-month program. If your surgical dexterity is good, you can perform 5–6 cases per day and finish in 20–25 days.
- Accommodation: Provided by the institute.
- Meals: Decent canteen for breakfast/lunch; dinner is delivered to your accommodation.
HONEST REVIEW
- The “Nandadeep” System:
- Orientation: The program starts with a two-day 3D video class—highly beneficial for beginners to understand depth perception and fluidics.
- Uniformity: Unlike other centers where different consultants teach different styles, all trainers here follow the exact same technique. This eliminates confusion for the trainee.
- Surgical Progression:
- Techniques: Primarily teaches Divide and Conquer. If the trainee shows proficiency, they progress to the Stop and Chop method.
- Independence: Most trainees start operating independently after approximately 20 supervised cases.
- Course Variants:
- Basic: Focuses on Grade 2 Nucleus (NS2) with fully dilated pupils.
- Advanced: Includes Small Pupil (Iris hooks/Malyugin ring), CTR (Capsular Tension Ring) insertion, Mature/White cataracts, Soft nuclei (NS1), Anterior Vitrectomy, and 3-piece IOL implantation.
- Logistics & Location:
- Travel: For those coming from South India (e.g., Kerala), there is a weekly direct train (Poorna Express). If flying, Kolhapur Airport is the nearest hub (1-hour drive).
- Schedule: Starts at 9:00 AM. You are free to leave once your allotted cases for the day are finished. Sundays are holidays.
PERSONAL OPINION
Nandadeep is a “Premium Fast-Track” program. While significantly more expensive than many other Indian fellowships, the 3.5 lakh fee covers a high volume of 50 cases in a very short window. It is the ideal choice for an ophthalmologist who wants a “crash course” that feels like a full fellowship. The consistency of technique among all trainers is its strongest selling point. However, as noted by reviewers, even with 50 cases, initial surgical backup at your own center is recommended for the first few independent private cases.
