What will you learn?
- The training programme will arm the ophthalmologist with up-to-date knowledge of the various retinal disorders and ensures both accurate and timely diagnosis as well as treatment to prevent needless blindness.
- The fellow will learn to thoroughly evaluate a case and improve upon their clinical skills, appropriate use of investigational modalities, thereby enabling correct diagnosis and management of the patient.
- A hands-on approach in training will familiarise the candidate with all therapeutic options in medical retina and surgical retina.
- The training programme also kindles the scientific temperament of the candidates, by way of active academic debates, journal clubs, clinical research publications and fellows will also have the opportunity to present their research work in conferences.
- This training program will also be involved in various community outreach work which will help the fellow in developing an inclination towards community service, thereby also contributing to the national cause.
Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai
Aravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore
Aravind Eye Hospital, Pondicherry
- Postgraduate Degree in Ophthalmology from a recognized University
- Nomination of a candidate from the head of the institution is mandatory
- The objective of this fellowship is to expose the candidate to a basic understanding of the various retinal disorders and to familiarize the candidate with the various examination techniques like slit lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy and indentation.
- The fellows will be competent in the use and interpretation of all diagnostic modalities in the retina like FFA, ICG, OCT, OCTA, USG, Electro-physiological tests, etc., and the treatment of retinal diseases including the various laser techniques and Intravitreal injections.
- Fellows will participate in the evaluation and management of patients with medical and surgical retinal disorders, such as Age-related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, retinal vascular disorders, central serous retinopathy, ocular inflammation, and retinal degeneration.
- Fellows will gain extensive experience in laser photocoagulation of retina, and use of various intravitreal drugs.
- Fellows also will obtain extensive training in vitreoretinal surgery. This will include pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative considerations. This training will include all currently employed methods of vitreoretinal surgery. They will observe numerous complex surgical procedures like repair of retinal detachment by scleral buckling or pars plana vitrectomy with internal tamponade; and complex diabetic vitrectomies with membrane surgery; They will gain experience in managing endophthalmitis medically as well as surgically. The trainees will perform surgical procedures independently, initially in a stepwise manner and later the entire procedure.
General Information
Training Facilities:
All Aravind Training Centers (Madurai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Chennai, Theni, Salem & Pondicherry) are well equipped with wet labs, teleophthalmology network, classrooms and teaching facility, audio-visual facility, and library and resource centre. The institution provides various online resources accessible to both national and international trainees.
Where to stay?
Accommodation and Food:
Inspiration – Aravind international trainee’s hostel is a comfortable and quiet place located close to the LAICO and Aravind Eye Hospital campus, Madurai. Visit the website for more details.
Accommodation facilities with catering services are available within the campus at all Aravind Centres. Types of facilities differ with each centre. Please contact the training coordinator for more information.
How to pay?
Course fee covers tuition fee and teaching materials. International candidates can pay through wire transfer; the account details along with the payment procedure will be emailed to you by the course coordinator on confirmation of your admission.
Campus life at Aravind:
We recommend that all trainees take a look at Vanakkam – as guidebook to Southern India and Aravind. As you prepare for your travel to India and to the Aravind destinations, ‘Vanakkam’ will provide you with detailed information on what to expect when you arrive. This includes travel arrangements, dress code, living conditions, local weather and local food, as well as information on sightseeing and restaurants in the cities where the Aravind facilities are located.
Visa:
A Visa is necessary to travel to India. As your visit to India is for undergoing training, you must obtain student /entry / internship visa (based on the duration of your training). It is advisable to get visa for the entire training period even before arriving in India. Extension of visa while undergoing training is not possible. Tourist visa is strictly prohibited.
Approval from National Medical Commission (NMC):
It is mandatory to obtain temporary medical license from NMC for all provisionally selected international ophthalmologists to undergo surgical training in India. NMC application process is through online portal and the approval process will be taken by the institute after getting necessary information and documents from the participants. Final selection is subject to fulfilling the procedural formalities of NMC. Please see https://www.nmc.org.in/
On arrival at Aravind:
The FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) registration formalities will be done as per the instructions given on your visa page. For registration purpose, the participant should have their four passport size colour photographs (4×4 cm with white background, ears distinctly visible without spectacles and cap). If required, documents should be presented to the local police commissioner office in person. Please refer registration guidelines for more details.