Glaucoma Fellowship

Objectives

1. To review and develop knowledge, skills and approaches relevant to etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of glaucoma.
2. To understand the classification and pathophysiology of primary open angle and angle closure glaucomas as well as various secondary glaucomas.
3. To review the management of co‐existing cataract and glaucoma.
4. To develop good judgment regarding medical, laser, and surgical treatment of various complicated types of glaucoma.
5. To understand the side effects and complications inherent in the above therapies and options and to be able to prevent and/or best manage side effects and complications.
6. To become familiar and experienced with the use of diagnostic equipment for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of various glaucomas.
7. To instill a deep rooted sense of responsibility for glaucoma patients who often require lifelong follow‐up care with appropriate support services.
8. To demonstrate the highest ethical standards when developing rapport with and engaging in treatment of glaucoma patients.
9. To understand the value of basic, clinical, and population research in furthering the understanding of etiology, diagnosis, and the treatment of glaucoma patients.
10. To participate in at least one glaucoma‐related research project and present at resident/fellow research days, as well as at a major international ophthalmic meeting.
11. To participate in teaching of medical students and residents
12. To understand principles behind leadership and management roles related to the practice of glaucoma (in an academic and community practice setting). To appreciate considerations in the optimal utilization of finite resources.
13. To submit for publication at least one paper in a peer‐reviewed ophthalmic journal during the course of the fellowship.

Expected Clinical Experience

Under the supervision of the staff faculty at the various locations:

Clinics: Both hospital and community based clinics. Significant large volume clinics including related anterior segment disorders.
Available diagnostic equipments include pachymetry, HFA and Goldmann perimeters, OCT, HRT,
UBM, A and B US scans, other imaging modalities - stereoscopic disc photography. Clinic laser treatments include SLT, ALT, LPIs, Iridoplasties, and laser suturelysis.

Surgery: The full range of surgical experience include trabeculectomy and its revision, Express mini shunts, management of the failing bleb - bleb needling, (Ahmed) tube shunt surgery, phaco lens surgery, use of wound‐modulation agents, releasable suture closure techniques, ciliodestruction ‐ endocyclophotocoagulation, diode cycloablation, Trabectome procedures and examinations / surgery on children with glaucoma. The fellow will either assist a faculty member in these procedures or serve as primary surgeon with assistance by a faculty member.

Research: Dedicated one day for research work.
Current research interests include:
1. RCT ‐ Trabeculectomy vs. Trabectome
2. Stereo and digital optic nerve assessment in Teleglaucoma
3. Collaborative eye care
4. Genetics of eye diseases
5. Guideline Evaluation
6. Visual fields and imaging for glaucoma monitoring 

Call duty: Only in association with the glaucoma staff on call clinics and surgeries

There are a full range of lectures, seminars and conferences available to fellows, including participations in yearly glaucoma day activities, journal club, glaucoma specific clinical and research discussion groups.

Additional Experience/Opportunities:
1. Teleglaucoma
2. Fellows Clinic ‐ at the RAH and Group practice clinic
3. Resident/medical student teaching
4. Practice Management

Weekly activities are rotated among the different faculty members. Faculty open to flexible, tailored schedules that are designed in consultation with the fellow allocating time among outpatient exams, surgery and rotations with different faculty members. A typical time table would consist of 3 days of clinic, 1 day of OR and 1 day for research. 

 

Fellowship Faculty: 

  1. Dr. Mike Dorey- Fellowship Director
  2. Dr. Samer Abuswider
  3. Dr. Sylvia Chen
  4. Dr. Ordan Lehmann
  5. Dr. Rizwan Malik
  6. Dr. Karim Damji