Paediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus

Supervisors

Dr. Nasrin Najm-Tehrani, Fellowship Director
Dr. Asim Ali
Dr. Stephen Kraft
Dr. Kamiar Mireskandari
Dr. Elise Heon
Dr. Michael Wan
Dr. Ajoy Vincent
Dr. Agnes Wong
Dr. Brenda Gallie
Dr. David Smith
Dr. Arun Reginald
Dr. Rajeev Muni
Dr. Georges Nassrallah
Dr. Peter Kertes
Dr. Ray Buncic
Dr. Andrew Budning
Dr. Dan DeAngelis
Dr. Helen Dimaras
Dr. Ashwin Mallipatna
Dr. Crystal Cheung
Dr. Stephanie Kletke
Dr. Georges Nassrallah

Contact Information

Dr. Nasrin Najm-Tehrani, MBBCh, MSc, FRCS Ed(Ophth), FRCSC
Dept. of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences
The Hospital for Sick Children
555 University Avenue, Burton Wing
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8
Email: Nasrin.tehrani@sickkids.ca

Fellowship Co-ordinator
Tel: 416-813-8942
Fax: 416-813-8266
Email: ophthalmology.education@sickkids.ca

Locations

Hospital for Sick Children

Fellowship Objectives

To provide a complete fellowship training experience in pediatric ophthalmology with surgical and clinical exposure to all disciplines within the field including strabismus (including adults), cataract, glaucoma, cornea, anterior segment disorders, oculoplastics, retinopathy of prematurity, neuro-ophthalmology, retinoblastoma, and ocular genetics (including adults).
To expose training Fellows to the wide range of pediatric systemic diseases with ocular manifestations.
To provide a pediatric ophthalmology research experience resulting in the publication of at least one manuscript.
To offer personal and professional development as a future academically oriented pediatric ophthalmology who is active in the field, demonstrates exemplary doctor-patient/parent relationships, and ethical behaviour.

General Description

This training experience is an intense and active fellowship set in the largest pediatric center in North America for clinical care and research; in conjunction with the Residency and Fellowship Training Program of the University of Toronto, Department of Ophthalmology. The Fellowship is characterized by a broad exposure to clinical material and problem situations and can be tailored somewhat to fit special needs or interests of the trainee. As a major advantage compared to many other fellowship programs in paediatric ophthalmology we provide exposure to all subspecialties within pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus.

Clinical Duties

The Fellow, appointed for a one-year term, participates in all aspects of our department, and is responsible for patient care in the Eye Clinic, in-hospital consultations, academic conferences, participation in resident training, and in research.

Research

The Fellow is expected to complete, present and publish one or two research papers in conjunction with staff members.

Teaching

As the Fellow is expected to have completed primary horizontal strabismus surgery training, he/she will participate in more complex strabismus cases, intraocular/glaucoma surgery and oculoplastics cases as well as other advanced procedures as appropriate. The experience and education in pediatric ophthalmology is enhanced by participation in the on-call schedule as senior support to the resident staff on nights and weekends.

Vacation

3 weeks of vacation by pre-arrangement, which includes 1 week attributed to Christmas/New Year holiday or March Break. Additional week off for conferences and 5 working days for job interview leave.

Conference

1 week.

Evaluation

Fellows are evaluated formally 3 times each year (approximately every 4 months). An inquiry is sent to all staff members regarding the Fellows' performance in the 4 months prior to each review. These replies are collated by Drs. Tehrani and the Ophthalmologist-in-Chief who meet with each Fellow individually to review their performance. Fellows are also asked to complete a self-evaluation document and to include their surgical log to date, before these meetings. In addition, the Fellows are asked to complete a Program Evaluation at the end of their fellowship.

Duration

One year

Salary

As of January 2025, the fellow salary will be $78,190.61 CAD including modified benefits which is mandated by the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at The Hospital for Sick Children.

Housing

Housing may be available in the residence at the Hospital for Sick Children at the fellow’s cost. The fellow must apply directly to the residence, if this option is desired.

Application Process

Contact the Fellowship Coordinator by email (ophthalmology.education@sickkids.ca). Fellowships run from July 1 to June 30 (3 positions) and January 1 to December 31 (1 position). In person interviews are required. Deadline for applications is the second Friday in September of the year prior to beginning the Fellowship in July. For the January (1 position), we will be making selection in the Fall of the year prior (for example January 2027 position will be selected in the Fall of 2025). North American Match Registration is required for all positions.

License Requirements

Foreign applicants may apply. The Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons will generally grant a full clinical educational license to applicants with recognized specialty certification in their home country. Those applicants whose medical school was not taught in English will now no longer be required to take TOEFL and TSE examination. However, there will be a 4-6 week pre-fellowship evaluation period during which the candidate's ability will be assessed before a final educational license can be granted.