Fellowship in Medical Retina

The Fellowship in Medical Retina is an advanced training program designed to provide ophthalmologists with specialized expertise in the diagnosis, medical management, and non-surgical treatment of retinal diseases.

The program focuses on equipping fellows with advanced skills in medical therapies, including intravitreal injections and laser treatments, for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vein occlusions, and inherited retinal diseases, preparing them to become leaders in the field of medical retina.

Description

This (02) two-year fellowship offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates theoretical learning, hands-on procedural training, clinical practice, and research in medical retina. Training methods include didactic lectures, case discussions, journal clubs, dry and wet labs, clinical rotations, and participation in cutting-edge research.

The program emphasizes proficiency in advanced retinal imaging, pharmacologic therapies, and non-surgical interventions, with a focus on managing complex retinal conditions in both adult and pediatric populations. Fellows collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to advancements in retinal care through research and academic activities.

Training Objectives The primary objective of the Fellowship in Medical Retina is to train fellows to deliver expert medical care for retinal diseases and contribute to advancements in the field. Specific goals include:

• Mastering advanced retinal imaging techniques and diagnostic tools for accurate diagnosis of retinal conditions.
• Developing proficiency in non-surgical interventions, such as intravitreal injections and laser photocoagulation, for managing retinal diseases.
• Enhancing skills in comprehensive patient evaluation, treatment planning, and management of complex retinal cases with systemic implications.
• Contributing to the field through clinical or translational research, including participation in clinical trials and academic presentations.
• Preparing fellows for leadership roles in medical retina by fostering expertise in clinical care, procedural skills, and research innovation.

Module Overview The program is structured into five key modules, each focusing on a critical aspect of medical retina training: 1- Dry Lab

• Focus: Mastery of diagnostic imaging and retinal assessment tools.
• Content: Fellows become proficient in retinal imaging techniques, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICG), and retinal ultrasonography. Training includes interpreting OCT scans, OCT angiography, and fundus photography, as well as functional testing like visual fields and microperimetry. Theoretical sessions cover the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management of retinal conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, AMD, and retinal dystrophies.

2- Wet Lab

• Focus: Hands-on practice of retinal procedures and interventions.
• Content: Fellow’s practice intravitreal injection techniques for anti-VEGF agents, steroids, and other treatments, as well as laser techniques for conditions like diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. Training includes subretinal injections and advanced diagnostic procedures like macular OCT and fundus autofluorescence (FAF), with exposure to emerging therapies such as retinal prosthetics and gene therapy.

3- Clinical Experience

• Focus: Comprehensive patient management in medical retina.
• Content: Fellows manage a wide range of retinal diseases in outpatient clinics, including diabetic retinopathy, AMD, retinal vein occlusions, and retinal dystrophies. Training involves comprehensive patient evaluations, pharmacologic therapy, laser treatments, and management planning. Fellows handle complex cases with systemic implications and pediatric conditions like retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to optimize care.

4- Surgical Experience (Non-Invasive/Medical Procedures)

• Focus: Advanced non-surgical retinal interventions.
• Content: Fellows gain experience in advanced diagnostic procedures, such as retinal biopsies for diagnosing rare conditions like retinal lymphoma, and advanced imaging techniques like OCT angiography and retinal electrophysiology. They may observe or assist in minimally invasive retinal surgeries (e.g., for macular holes or retinal detachments) to understand the integration of medical and surgical management.

5- Research and Academic Development

• Focus: Contribution to the field of medical retina.
• Content: Fellows engage in clinical, translational, or basic science research on retinal diseases, focusing on new therapies, diagnostic techniques, or clinical trials. They present findings at conferences, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and participate in journal clubs and academic seminars to stay updated on advancements in medical retina.

Training Prerequisites To enroll in the Fellowship in Medical Retina, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Be a licensed ophthalmologist or have completed an accredited ophthalmology residency program.
• Have basic knowledge of retinal diseases and diagnostic imaging techniques.
• Demonstrate a strong interest in medical retina and patient care.
• Be committed to maintaining a logbook and participating in research and academic activities.
• Be proficient in English and / or French for effective communication and comprehension of training materials.

How to Apply To apply for the fellowship, candidates should:

1. Submit a completed application form, available on the official website or through the training institution.
2. Provide a copy of their medical license, academic transcripts, and a resume detailing relevant clinical and research experience.
3. Include a letter of motivation outlining their interest in medical retina and career goals.
4. Send all application materials to the designated training coordinator via email or the online application portal by the specified deadline.
5. Shortlisted candidates may be required to attend an interview or assessment to evaluate their suitability for the program.

For further details or to apply, contact the training coordinator at the training institution or visit the official program website.