Retina Fellowship Program in Vitreoretinal Surgery, Medical Retina & Uveitis
The Retina Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Surgery, Medical Retina & Uveitis in the University of Louisville Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences is a two-year program that accepts one fellow annually, alternating between U.S. graduates and international graduates. The objective is to nurture the next generation of retina specialists here in the states, as well as train international physicians who commit to return to their home countries to spread the use of modern techniques and procedures. The fellowship was one of the first programs to be certified by the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) and it maintains that certification. Tongalp H. Tezel, MD, is the director of the Retina Fellowship program.
Achievement of Excellence
The program aims to help each fellow reach his or her potential in order to achieve excellence in the diagnosis and management of vitreoretinal diseases. This involves extensive medical and surgical training as well as laboratory and clinical research and resident mentoring. The fellows are trained intensively over a 2-year period by the retina faculty in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Louisville.
A Multitude of Opportunities
During the first year of the fellowship the emphasis is on patient evaluation, clinical diagnostics and management. Fellows assume increasing responsibility for patients including but not limited to:
- Proper systematic and ocular evaluation of all new patients to the vitreoretinal service
- Familiarity with cutting-edge diagnostic tools
- Decision-making regarding the need for ancillary testing & therapy, as well as referrals to other sub-specialists
- Implications of translational research in broadening and improving the field of retinal disease management
Fellows are also expected to become adept at laser treatment, PDT, intravitreal injection of pharmaceuticals, retinopexy and brachytherapy.
In the second year, fellows assume more responsibility for the management and treatment of complex vitreoretinal pathology. They act as the primary surgeons for the Kentucky Lions Primary Care Eye Clinic and the Louisville Veterans Affairs Hospital under the supervision of an attending physician. The senior fellow establishes the indication for surgery and plans operations in collaboration with the retinal faculty.
Fellows are introduced to cutting-edge diagnostic tools and contemporary surgical techniques preparing them for work at the top facilities in the world upon graduation. A fellow can expect to perform at least 300 retinal surgeries; 500 to 1,000 retinal photocoagulation procedures; and 500 to 1,000 intravitreal injections.
Attending Faculty
The retina faculty is among the world’s top physicians in their specialties. They are also involved extensively with clinical and basic science research. Faculty work closely with fellows to ensure they are receiving the breadth of experiences needed to enhance their skills and improve their level of knowledge.
This distinguished retina faculty is committed to exposing fellows to research projects in order to increase their understanding of the development of the future of the field.
Faculty members include:
- Charles C. Barr, MD
- Henry J. Kaplan, MD, FACS
- Shlomit Schaal, MD, PhD
- Tongalp H. Tezel, MD
Research & Scholarly Activities
Every week fellows lead the Retina Club. There, fellows have the opportunity to present cases and form discussion groups for the benefit of the attending physicians. Fellows also participate in research, prepare and submit manuscripts for peer -reviewed journals, participate in teaching conferences, attend annual department meetings, and conduct didactic sessions with medical students and residents.
Application & Questions
While U.S. fellows are selected through the San Francisco Match Program, international fellows are carefully selected through in-depth, yet objective, interviews by the retina faculty. If you are interested in applying to our fellowship program, please go to www.sfmatch.org for the application.
For more information on the fellowship or the University of Louisville Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, please contact Fellowship Coordinator Debby McCurdy at 502-852-0710 or email damccu01@louisville.edu
