Cornea & External Disease & Refractive Surgery

Supervisors

Dr. David S. Rootman, Fellowship Co-Director
Dr. Allan R. Slomovic, Fellowship Co-Director
Dr. Joshua C. Teichman, Fellowship Co-Director
Dr. Clara C. Chan
Dr. Stephan Ong Tone
Dr. Neera Singal

Contact Information

Kathleen Nixon           
Tel: 416-603-5401
Fax: 416-603-1993
Email: Kathleen.Nixon@uhn.ca

Locations

• UHN - Toronto Western Hospital
• Kensington Eye Institute
• TLC Laser Center
• Trillium Health Partners
• Prism Eye Institute

The Fellow is expected to be on premises at a minimum of Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. regardless of clinical activities. All time not occupied by patient responsibilities must be used to further academic pursuits such as research and teaching. Failure to utilize non-clinical time in an appropriate fashion may result in action being taken. All absences during the week must be cleared well in advance. There may be a need to be present during “off hours” for additional clinical volume and/or urgent cases. Fellows are to follow the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). Fellows will not post patient histories/cases, images or videos, on their personal social media accounts.

Fellowship Objectives

1. To gain exposure to medical and surgical cornea, external disease and refractive surgery.
2. To prepare for an academic career with subspecialty training in cornea, external disease and refractive surgery.
3. To enhance resident teaching.
4. To perform clinical and/or basic science research in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto.

General Description

The fellowship offered is intended to prepare a candidate for an academic career in ophthalmology. This would include skill acquisition to be considered a subspecialist in the field of cornea and external diseases as well as involvement in research in cornea, external disease and refractive surgery.

Clinical Duties

Approximately 80% of the time is spent in clinical activities. These include seeing patients in an office setting with direct involvement in diagnosis and treatment. The Fellow will be exposed to a variety of corneal conditions including infections, refractive surgical problems, corneal transplantation, and complex anterior segment cases. The Fellow will participate in the operating room approximately one day per week on a variety of corneal procedures including an emphasis on corneal transplantation (PKP, DMEK, DSAEK, DALK, KPro), stem cell transplantation, pterygium surgery, and refractive surgery including LASIK, PRK, cross-linking and ICL surgeries. The candidate is expected to have had adequate training in cataract surgery, as this is not an emphasis of the fellowship. Cataract surgery is generally reserved for resident teaching. Surgery will be allocated in a graded fashion of responsibility. A talented Fellow can expect to perform 30-50 corneal transplants per year. The Fellow is expected to follow and be responsible for patients on the cornea outpatient and inpatient services. The Fellow will carry a pager/cellphone at all times except when on vacation and will be available promptly as needed. During the Trillium/Prism rotation, fellows are encouraged to take optional general on-call and will be compensated at a rate of $400/day.

Research

The Fellow will be expected to spend 20% of their time performing basic and/or clinical research. A basic or clinical science project will be outlined for the Fellow and they will be expected to present this at the Research Day of the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences as well as at a national or international meeting.

Teaching

The Fellow will be expected to enhance resident and medical student teaching. This would include encouraging resident involvement in interesting cases in the clinic, as well as graciously stepping aside in the operating room if a resident shows specific interest in a surgical procedure, be it cornea or not. The Fellow is expected to prepare at least two complete lectures to be given in small group seminars to the residents during the year. Presentation of interesting cases at rounds is also expected. It is expected that during the year the Fellow will be exposed to a wide variety of corneal and external disease conditions providing them adequate preparation for an academic subspecialty career.

Vacation

Two weeks per year. Vacation is preferably spread over two different rotations and must be cleared at least two months in advance with the preceptor.

Conference

Up to two weeks of conference time may be taken on approval of the supervisors.

Evaluation

An evaluation after two months of the fellowship will be held to determine performance.

A mid-term evaluation will be held with the Fellow to evaluate their performance and to give feedback regarding their activities. Fellows are encouraged to provide feedback and express their comments on how their fellowship is progressing, including areas they would like to work on.

Duration

Two years. Fellowships run from July 1st to June 30th. No one year fellowships are offered.

Salary

$60,000 CAD per year.

Application Process

Your application package must include:

1. Completed application form (click here to download)

2. Copy of undergraduate medical degree, residency training and fellowship certification (otherwise require proof of MCCEE I&II)

3. Personal statement

4. Curriculum vitae

5. Three (3) letters of reference (signed, including contact information)

Please send completed applications directly to Ms. Nixon (Kathleen.Nixon@uhn.ca). Applications are not considered complete until the necessary requirements are met, and a confirmation email has been received. Applications are due August 31st of the year prior to the fellowship beginning in July. Interviews are conducted approximately two months after the application deadline. Decisions are released shortly thereafter.