Fellowship Training in Glaucoma at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary

Preceptor: Robert Ritch, M.D.

1. One-year paid clinical fellowships. These are highly competitive, as we receive approximately 40 applications per year for three positions. They are limited to fully licensed United States citizens or foreign citizens who have passed the necessary tests to obtain temporary licensing under supervision in the state of New York. Please complete the CAS application process through SFMatch (www.sfmatch.org).
   
   Our one-year clinical fellowship provides intensive training (over 15,000 glaucoma visits annually) in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma and related disorders. Special emphasis is placed on secondary, difficult and unusual glaucomas and the management of advanced cases. Fellows are involved in all aspects of patient care, from initial evaluation through surgery. Over 800 glaucoma procedures of all types are performed annually. Clinical research projects span all areas and includes drug trials, laser and surgical developments, ultrasound biomicroscopy, scanning laser polarimetry, optical coherence tomography, and NEI OHTS and CIGTS studies. Highly motivated, self-starting, energetic, skilled physicians are desired. More on 1-year clinical fellowship.
   
   Two-year paid clinical (one year) and clinical or basic research (one year) fellowships are also available.
   More on 2-year clinical fellowship; more on 2-year research/clinical fellowship.


2. One-year paid research fellowships. There are two positions for and these also are competitive. The positions involve research in the Ocular Imaging Center, working with ultrasound biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography unit, nerve fiber layer analysis, ocular blood flow, and other modalities.


3. Unpaid one-year clinical fellowships. These are limited to foreign graduates who rank high in their medical school and residency training, but do not have the necessary licensure for clinical practice.


4. Six-month or one-year unpaid research fellowships. Theses are moderately competitive and depend on space available. Applicants for unpaid clinical and research fellowships are often funded by outside granting agencies or by their home countries. Those who are funded by their universities and who have positions to return to at home receive preference for these positions.

International Observership Program at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary

The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary has established a program to train ophthalmologists from abroad who wish to spend time observing diagnostic, medical, and surgical techniques in any of a number of subspecialty areas. The Subspecialist Development Program consists of one or two months at NYEEI, after which the ophthalmologist returns home for 11 months to practice what he or she has learned while at NYEEI, thus reaching a new level of expertise and, if desired, to return again to NYEEI for a second observership for further training.

Ophthalmologists are also welcome to attend for one or two month observerships or three to six month clinical research traineeships apart from the above program. These can be arranged in any one or a combination of subspecialty areas.

Observerships are available in

• Glaucoma
• Cataract
• Oculoplastics
• Pediatrics
• Retina
• Cornea
• Trauma
• Neuro-ophthalmology

Two furnished apartments are available on a first-come, first-served basis, on the property of NYEEI and rent for $1000 per month (minimum rental). Observers can elect to stay in these for a maximum of two months or obtain housing on their own.

If you have any questions, please email Dr. Robert Ritch at ritchmd@earthlink.net