Fellowship Residency in Ophthalmology

The Residency in Ophthalmology at the Magrabi ICO Cameroon Eye Institute, accredited by the West African College of Surgeons (WACS) since 2019, is a comprehensive training designed to prepare candidates to become competent, compassionate ophthalmologists.

The training provides in-depth training in the diagnosis, medical management, and surgical treatment of a wide range of ocular conditions, equipping residents for independent practice and WACS certification.

Description

This (04) four-year residency training, based at the Magrabi ICO Cameroon Eye Institute, combines didactic learning, clinical rotations, surgical training, and research opportunities. Training methods include lectures, seminars, journal clubs, hands-on clinical and surgical practice, and subspecialty rotations. Residents gain experience in managing diverse ocular conditions, from routine refractive errors to complex diseases, and develop surgical skills across multiple subspecialties. The training also prepares candidates for the WACS primaries examinations, eliminating the need for travel to Nigeria or Ghana.

Training Objectives The primary objective of the Residency in Ophthalmology is to train residents to become well-rounded ophthalmologists capable of providing high-quality patient care. Specific goals include:

• Mastering the diagnosis and management of a broad spectrum of ocular conditions across all subspecialties.
• Developing proficiency in ophthalmic surgical techniques, from basic to advanced procedures.
• Enhancing skills in managing ocular emergencies and coordinating care for complex cases.
• Preparing residents for the WACS primaries examinations and independent practice.
• Contributing to ophthalmic research and innovation to advance the field.

Module Overview The training is structured into six key modules, each focusing on a critical aspect of ophthalmology training: 1-Didactic Learning

• Focus: Foundation in ophthalmic science, disease pathophysiology, and clinical management.
• Content: Residents attend lectures, seminars, and case discussions covering refractive errors, cataracts, glaucoma, retina, cornea, pediatric ophthalmology, and oculoplastic. The curriculum includes anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology, with journal clubs and grand rounds to integrate research into practice.

2- Clinical Experience

• Focus: Patient care, diagnosis, and management across subspecialties.
• Content: Residents rotate through outpatient clinics, emergency departments, and inpatient wards, performing comprehensive eye exams, visual acuity testing, slit-lamp examinations, tonometry, and fundoscopy. They manage conditions like cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma, collaborating with senior ophthalmologists to develop treatment plans.

3- Surgical Training

• Focus: Skill development in ophthalmic surgery.
• Content: Residents progress from basic procedures (e.g., cataract surgery, lid surgery) to advanced surgeries (e.g., retinal surgery, trabeculectomy, corneal transplantation). Training includes phacoemulsification, scleral buckle, MIGS, and strabismus surgery, with supervised practice to manage complications and ensure safe outcomes.

4- Subspecialty Rotations

• Focus: In-depth experience in ophthalmic subspecialties.
• Content: Residents rotate through clinics specializing in glaucoma, medical retina, pediatric ophthalmology, cornea and external disease, oculoplastic, and neuro-ophthalmology. Training covers medical and surgical management of conditions like diabetic retinopathy, congenital cataracts, and orbital tumors.

5- Research and Academic Development

• Focus: Exposure to and contribution to ophthalmic research.
• Content: Residents engage in clinical, basic, or translational research, participating in clinical trials and academic initiatives. They develop skills in research design, data analysis, and academic writing, presenting findings at conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

6- Call and Emergency Training

• Focus: Management of ocular emergencies and on-call responsibilities.
• Content: Residents handle emergency cases like trauma, acute glaucoma, and retinal detachments during on-call rotations. Training emphasizes quick decision-making, triage, and coordination with surgical and medical teams to stabilize patients and achieve positive outcomes.

  Training Prerequisites To enroll in the Residency in Ophthalmology, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Have completed medical school with strong academic standing and grades.
• Provide high-quality letters of recommendation highlighting professional and personal attributes.
• Demonstrate generosity, integrity, and community spirit, with prior interest in ophthalmology (e.g., research, volunteer work) preferred but not mandatory.
• Attend a personal interview as part of the application process.
• Be proficient in English and / or French for effective communication and comprehension of training materials.

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

1. Submit a completed application form, available through the Magrabi ICO Cameroon Eye Institute or the West African College of Surgeons (WACS).
2. Provide academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a resume detailing relevant experience and attributes.
3. Include a personal statement highlighting their interest in ophthalmology and alignment with the training’s values.
4. Send all application materials to the designated training coordinator via email or the online application portal by the specified deadline.
5. Attend a mandatory personal interview to assess suitability for the training.

For further details or to apply, contact the training coordinator at the Magrabi ICO Cameroon Eye Institute or visit the official training website.