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NAME OF THE INSTITUTE
Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital (SCEH), Daryaganj, New Delhi (and Peripheral Network)
STIPEND & FEES
- Stipend: Gross ₹55,000 per month.
- Net Take-home: Approximately ₹30,000 – ₹35,000 after deductions for hostel charges, TDS, and a tiered caution money scheme.
- Caution Money: Deducted at 10% for the first 6 months, then increasing to 20% and 30%. This is fully refunded upon completion of the 2-year tenure.
- Admission Fee: ₹60,000 (Non-refundable).
DURATION
24 Months (2 Years)
HONEST REVIEW
- Structure & Location: Following an initial 3-month training/induction phase at the main Daryaganj center in Delhi, fellows are permanently posted to one of the institute’s secondary/peripheral centers. The majority of the fellowship is spent at these sites.
- Clinical Exposure: IOL fellows manage comprehensive OPD cases independently. There is limited to no exposure to specialized clinics (Retina, Glaucoma, etc.) within this specific track.
- Surgical Progression:
- Months 1–8: Focused exclusively on SICS.
- Month 8 onwards: Phacoemulsification training begins.
- Volume: High-volume surgical load. Fellows at “hectic” centers can expect up to 1,500+ cases, with a baseline minimum of roughly 500 cases.
- Training Style: Supervision is available but is not “one-on-one” from start to finish. Consultants intervene during complications but are often managing their own surgical lists simultaneously. Fellows are expected to be observant and proactive in their learning.
- Academic Schedule: Classes are conducted online via Zoom on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8:00 AM to accommodate fellows posted in peripheral regions.
- Work Culture: The environment is described as extremely hectic but generally non-toxic. The “peripheral” nature of the posting means fellows work in smaller teams (typically ~2 consultants and ~10 fellows).
- Ancillary Surgeries: Beyond cataracts, fellows gain experience in secondary procedures like pterygium excision and tarsorrhaphy. There is no refractive surgery training in this specific IOL fellowship.
PERSONAL OPINION
This is a “Surgical Workhorse” fellowship. It is the ideal choice for a candidate who wants to graduate with massive surgical numbers and the confidence to handle high-volume setups. While the net stipend is lower due to deductions and the admission fee is steep, the sheer volume of 1,500+ cases represents an unparalleled opportunity for surgical mastery. It is best suited for self-starters who are comfortable living in peripheral towns and learning through high-frequency practice.
