Postgraduate: King Saud University Glaucoma and Cataract Subspeciality Fellowship
King Saud university hospitals holds a tertiary care practice in ophthalmology including glaucoma and cataract with high volume of patients in clinics and ophthalmic emergency room and is proud to launch King Saud university glaucoma and cataract subspeciality fellowship.
Location
King AbdulAziz university hospital and King Khaled University hospital.
Duration
Two academic years, starting January 1st, full enrollment fellowship.
Number of fellows
One fellow per year according to the availability of staff.
Staff
- Saleh Alobeidan, MD
- Essam Osman, MD
- AbdulAziz Alarefi, MD
- AbdulSalam Turjoma, MD
- Faisal Almobarak, MD. Fellowship Director
Objectives
- To develop subspeciality expertise in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma including congenital, pediatric, juvenile and adult glaucomas both medically and surgically.
- To develop subspeciality expertise in clinical diagnostics in glaucoma.
- To develop subspeciality expertise in handling routine and complex cataract, iris and angle procedures.
- To develop an understanding of basics in glaucoma and cataract and related anterior segment conditions.
- To prepare for practice in tertiary care centres.
- To develop basic skills and understanding in the designs and publication of research in glaucoma.
- To develop skills in medical education to colleagues, residents, interns and medical students.
Fellowship general description
- Basic and clinical knowledge:
weekly lectures are conducted focusing on basic science, clinical knowledge, diagnostics, management and surgical care and skills in glaucoma and cataract and related anterior segment disorders. The fellow is expected to prepare some topics which will be assigned to him.
- Clinical duties:
80% of the time will be spent under supervision of the attending in clinical responsibilities of wide spectrum of glaucoma and cataract including diagnostic workup, medical management, laser and surgical procedures.
- Every 2 months, the fellow will be assigned to one of the two teams in Glaucoma and Cataract division
- The fellow will attend 4 Glaucoma and Cataract clinics per week
- The fellow will attend 3 OR sessions per week
- The fellow will be responsible for patient care activity of the assigned team
- The fellow is expected to be available for weekend clinical evaluations of postoperative cases or any complicated cases.
- The fellow is expected to be general on call as well as glaucoma on call with the attending.
- Research:
The fellow is expected to participate in one research project and be the principle investigator of at least one research project. The fellow is highly encouraged to present in the Saudi ophthalmology society meeting and at least one recognized international conference.
- Teaching:
The fellow is expected to participate in teaching medical students, interns and residents (clinics, wards, skill sessions and OR). The fellow should present in journal clubs, grand rounds and case presentations.
Fellowship training
The fellow will be trained in advanced diagnostics, medical, laser and surgical techniques in both glaucoma and cataract and related anterior segment conditions and will be rotating with two consultants on the same time to get the highest exposure. The fellow must master the art of clinical interpretation of diagnostics in glaucoma and cataract, medical care of patients, indications and handling lasers and performing routine and complex glaucoma and cataract surgeries and dealing with postoperative care and complications with confidence.
Diagnostics in glaucoma include:
- Automated perimetry (Humphrey) and manual perimetry (Goldmann)
- Optic nerve and nerve fibre layer imaging using SD-OCT, HRT and photography.
- Anterior segment imaging including UBM, both 35 and 80 MHz, pentacam and anterior segment OCT.
Lasers include (minimum requirements):
- Laser trabeculoplasty (10 cases)
- Laser iridotomy (25 cases)
- Laser capsulotomy (20 cases)
- Laser suturelysis (15 cases)
- IOL laser polishing (5 cases)
- Laser iridoplasty (5 cases)
- Laser goniopuncture (5 cases)
Surgeries include (minimum requirements):
- Trabeculectomies with or without cataract (15 cases each)
- Revision of trabeculectomy (5 cases)
- Non-penetrating surgeries including deep sclerectomy and canaloplasty with and without cataract (20 cases)
- Shunt procedures and revisions of shunts (10 cases)
- Endoscopic cycloablation with or without cataract (10 cases)
- Trans-scleral cycloablation (5 cases)
- Trabectome surgery with or without cataract (5 cases)
- Congenital glaucoma surgery including proper examination under anesthesia (5 cases)
- External drainage of choroidals (3 cases)
- Phaco/ECCE+PCIOL with or without capsular tension rings. The use of premium IOL is highly encouraged (50 cases)
- IOL exchange and secondary IOL including scleral and iris fixated IOLs (5 cases)
- Performing anterior vitrectomy through limbal or pars plana in conditions like vitreous loss and aqueous misdirection (8 cases)
- Iris repairs (3 cases)
Vacations
One month per year and one Eid holiday. 7 days educational leave are given after arranging with the fellowship director.
Assessment
A quarterly assessment on the performance and discipline will be done. Assessment includes:
- Performance in clinics, wards, OR and during on call
- Knowledge based on discussion, lectures and rounds
- Participation in different academic activities
The fellow must pass end of the year written and oral exam to be promoted to the second year. The fellow must successfully pass a written and oral end-of-fellowship exam to complete his fellowship training.
Admission requirements
The fellow must be a board certified in ophthalmology in a recognized center by the Saudi Council for Health Specialities or hold KSU fellowship in Ophthalmology or any equivalent board accredited by SCFHS. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Full time enrollment
- Provide a letter of permission from his sponsor to be enrolled in the fellowship for two years
- Application form
- Updated CV
- Photograph 4X6
- 3 letters of recommendations in a sealed envelope directed to the fellowship director (Dr. Faisal Almobarak)
- Certificate of successful completion of Ophthalmology residency program or KSU fellowship in Ophthalmology or and equivalent board accredited by SCFHS
- Medical report including VA, color vision, stereopsis, absence of transmitted disease, HIV, and absence of hand and finger disabilities
- Pass the interview successfully
- Valid registration with SCFHS
Application
Candidates can apply to the fellowship program by submitting their application personally, by mail or e-mail. The fellowship run for two years period from January 1 to December 30. Application starts on the first of February and the deadline is the end of April of the year prior to beginning the fellowship. All interviews will be conducted early June. Decisions are made approximately 4-6 months prior to the start date.
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees must be paid to the postgraduate medical education, College of Medicine.