Program Overview

Program Overview

The fellowship program provides training in the surgical and medical management of diseases of the retina and vitreous. The training is offered by the Director of Vitreoretinal Diseases in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Alabama Heersink School of Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama.

Program Goals and Objectives

The program aims to provide an intensive, broadly based clinical experience in retinal and vitreous disease, with the goal of training the physician to pursue a career in a clinical or academic environment.

Training and Clinical Experience

Training is provided in all major diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in retinal and vitreous disease, including:

• Indirect ophthalmoscopy
• Fundus biomicroscopy
• Fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography
• Ocular coherence tomography
• Ultrasonography Extensive experience is provided at various hospitals, including:
  • UAB Hospital-Callahan Eye
  • Birmingham Veterans Administration Hospital
  • Children's Hospital of Birmingham
  • Cooper Green Hospital

Responsibilities and Roles

The fellow will have increasing responsibility for scleral buckling and vitrectomy surgery throughout the program. Additionally, the fellow will act as an attending physician, providing supervisory and teaching support for the residency program, both in the operating room and in resident outpatient clinics devoted to treating a wide range of retinal and vitreous diseases.

Program Structure

The program is designed to provide a comprehensive and intensive learning experience, with a focus on clinical training and academic development. The fellow will work closely with the Director of Vitreoretinal Diseases and other faculty members to achieve the program's goals and objectives.