Retina Vitreous Fellowship

Overview

The University of Rochester / Flaum Eye Institute is pleased to sponsor a 2-year AUPO-compliant retina vitreous fellowship that teaches all aspects of medical and surgical retina. Our priority is to provide a top-notch educational environment through “hands-on” clinical and surgical experience, ultimately preparing the fellow for a successful career in private or academic retina practice. The program has recently grown to two fellows in total (one per year) with retina-only call split between them. The fellow divides his/her time between six experienced vitreoretinal surgery faculty members, which allows for continuity of teaching and long-term development of skills. There are also opportunities for experience with faculty in uveitis, ocular oncology, pediatric retina, inherited retinal diseases (ocular genetics), and retinopathy of prematurity. Teaching in the clinical and surgical settings is strengthened by lectures and case conferences. Education for the fellow is further augmented by supported travel to national meetings and surgical fellow courses. As the Flaum Eye Institute is consistently ranked among top university departments across the country by NIH/NEI funding, there is ample opportunity for basic science, translational and/or clinical research, as desired by the fellow to supplement their clinical training and experience. Our retina fellowship director is Mark Breazzano, M.D.

Fellow Schedule

Surgical experience and learning begins immediately for the fellow in the first year, with even distribution of retina clinic and operating room time across both years of fellowship. This operating room time will provide the fellow with approximately 500 cases —including all aspects of vitrectomy and scleral buckling surgery. The fellow will primarily spend clinic time with medical and surgical retina patients, with additional procedures including laser, injection, and pneumatic retinopexy. Additional exposure to uveitis, inherited retinal diseases (ocular genetics), ocular oncology, and retinopathy of prematurity, is also provided. Dedicated time is also provided for reading and research.

Teaching Conferences

Each month, case rounds are held with didactic teaching by the faculty. Quarterly journal club is held in the Retina Service, and one half-day each month Grand Rounds in the Ophthalmology Department are held with visiting professors.

Research

Research is not required but is encouraged and can range from case report writing to basic scientific research depending on the background, goals and interests of the fellow.

To Apply

Applications for the Flaum Eye Institute's Retina Vitreous Fellowship are processed through the San Francisco Match. We will not consider applications from candidates who are not properly registered with the San Francisco Match.

Questions about the program are welcome and can be addressed to: Kim Catalino 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 659 Rochester, NY 14642