Fellowship in Cataract Surgery
200 Surgeries. 12 Months. Complete Surgical Independence
At-a-glance: Duration: 12 months| Eligibility: MS/DNB Ophthalmology | Intake: 4 seats | Stipend: ₹15,000–20,000/month | Fee: ₹50,000–80,000 | Award: Fellowship Certificate
Curriculum Timeline
Month
Module
Key Focus Areas
Month 1
Surgical Anatomy & Pre-op
Workup
Lens anatomy, nuclear grading,
pre-op assessment, informed consent, OPD case clerking
Month 1–2
Biometry & IOL Calculation
A-scan + optical biometry,
SRK/T, Barrett Universal II,, toric/multifocal IOLs
Month 2–3
Wet Lab & Simulation (min.
30 hrs)
Wound construction, CCC
technique, hydrodissection, phaco machine settings on model/synthetic/animal
eyes
Month 3–4
SICS / MSICS Technique
SICS steps, tunnel construction,
nuclear expression, PCIOL implantation, 10-0 nylon suturing
Month 4–8
Graded Independent
Phacoemulsification
Sculpting → divide-and-conquer →
stop-and-chop. TARGET: 200 independent phaco cases. Graded: assisted →
supervised → fully independent
Month 8–9
Complicated Cataract Management
Hard/black nuclear, posterior
polar, white/intumescent, subluxated, paediatric, traumatic cataract
Month 9–10
Complication Management
PC rupture, vitreous loss,
dropped nucleus, zonular dehiscence, suprachoroidal haemorrhage — simulation
+ mentored real cases
Month 11
Laser & Refractive Cataract
YAG capsulotomy, PI, overview,
RLE, toric/multifocal IOL planning
Month 12
Research & Surgical Audit
Outcomes audit, case series
write-up, statistical basics, paper submission, final presentation
|
Month |
Module |
Key Focus Areas |
|
Month 1 |
Surgical Anatomy & Pre-op Workup |
Lens anatomy, nuclear grading, pre-op assessment, informed consent, OPD case clerking |
|
Month 1–2 |
Biometry & IOL Calculation |
A-scan + optical biometry, SRK/T, Barrett Universal II,, toric/multifocal IOLs |
|
Month 2–3 |
Wet Lab & Simulation (min. 30 hrs) |
Wound construction, CCC technique, hydrodissection, phaco machine settings on model/synthetic/animal eyes |
|
Month 3–4 |
SICS / MSICS Technique |
SICS steps, tunnel construction, nuclear expression, PCIOL implantation, 10-0 nylon suturing |
|
Month 4–8 |
Graded Independent Phacoemulsification |
Sculpting → divide-and-conquer → stop-and-chop. TARGET: 200 independent phaco cases. Graded: assisted → supervised → fully independent |
|
Month 8–9 |
Complicated Cataract Management |
Hard/black nuclear, posterior polar, white/intumescent, subluxated, paediatric, traumatic cataract |
|
Month 9–10 |
Complication Management |
PC rupture, vitreous loss, dropped nucleus, zonular dehiscence, suprachoroidal haemorrhage — simulation + mentored real cases |
|
Month 11 |
Laser & Refractive Cataract |
YAG capsulotomy, PI, overview, RLE, toric/multifocal IOL planning |
|
Month 12 |
Research & Surgical Audit |
Outcomes audit, case series write-up, statistical basics, paper submission, final presentation |
Minimum Case Log: 200 independent phaco + 20 SICS + 10 complex + 30 YAG laser.
Skills Acquired: Independent phacoemulsification, advanced IOL calculation, biometry, wet lab proficiency, complicated case management, YAG laser application, outcomes audit.
Assessment Framework: Monthly Assessments (40%) + Mid-term written exam Month 6 (20%) + End-term clinical exam Month 12 (25%) + Research submission (15%).
Fellowship Award Criteria: Complete case log + Pass mid & end-term exams + Research submission + ≥90% attendance + Exit interview pass.
