FELLOWSHIP DIRECTORY: VITREO-RETINAL SURGERY (MCh)

NAME OF THE INSTITUTE

Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER / PGI), Chandigarh

(An apex central autonomous Institute of National Importance offering an advanced 3-year post-doctoral MCh subspecialty degree in Vitreo-Retinal Surgery.)

STIPEND & SELECTION

• Program Duration: 3 Years (MCh Degree).

• Selection Process: National entrance examination followed by an interview.

• Intake Capacity: Annual intake (typically 1–2 general seats, plus reserved/foreign candidate slots).

• Monthly Stipend Structure (Central Government Rates):

  • 1st Year: ~₹1,30,000

  • 2nd Year: ~₹1,40,000

  • 3rd Year: ~₹1,50,000

HONEST REVIEW

1. Surgical Exposure & Progression

• Simulator Phase: Training begins on virtual surgical simulators alongside initial orientation.

• Initial 6 Months: Progression to operating specific surgical steps and closing smaller procedures under guidance.

• 6 Months Onward: Fellows receive independent hands-on experience for major vitreoretinal surgeries, including complex macular procedures and extensive retinal laser training.

• OT Schedule: Dedicated Fellow OT is scheduled twice weekly.

• Cataract Limitation: Strictly zero cataract or Phaco training; fellows focus entirely on posterior segment pathology.

2. Specialized Rotations & Clinical Load

• Pure Retina OPD: OPD operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (frequently running until 7:30–8:00 PM due to patient load). Fellows see pure retinal cases exclusively.

• Consultant Rotations: Fellows rotate for 6-month postings under specific VR consultants across the department (~6–7 consultants total).

• Uvea Posting: Includes a comprehensive rotation under Prof. Vishali Gupta, providing high-volume exposure to complex ocular inflammatory diseases and uveitis management.

• Paediatric Retina & ROP: A dedicated 6-month posting covering ROP screening, ROP lasers, and surgical interventions for Stage 4 and Stage 5 infant cases.

• After-Hours & Emergencies: Fellows manage all post-5:00 PM retinal emergencies and trauma operations, occasionally extending work hours to midnight.

3. Work Culture, Academics & Duty Roster

• Night Calls: Approximately once per month.

• Camp / Periphery Duties: Occasional outreach camps (1–2 times per year); no mandatory peripheral station postings.

• Sundays: Off, except for mandatory consultant-specific ward rounds.

• Academic Rigor: Academic commitments include mandatory thesis completion, weekly fellow seminars, teaching sessions for Junior Residents (JRs), internal evaluation exams every 6 months, and the final MCh exit exam after 2.5 years.

PROS & CONS

SUMMARY COMPARISON TABLE