Vitreoretinal Surgery

This is a busy, comprehensive vitreoretinal experience with a balance between academics and private practice.

At Stroger Hospital, the fellow operates as a primary surgeon for 5-7 primary cases per week supervised by retina staff. Office-based procedures such as cryotherapy/pneumatic retinopexy, injections, and all types of lasers are experienced. Clinical research opportunities are available, and a clinical research project is encouraged. In the private practice setting, the fellow participates in 6-10 surgical cases per week and in many office-based procedures. The fellow will gain proficiency in the treatment of a wide range of posterior segment disorders. There is also direct interaction/teaching with junior and senior Ophthalmology residents for various retina-related issues.

This program is very surgically oriented. The fellow can expect to perform 600-700 primary cases each year (900 total cases per year), learning a variety of surgical methods from different attendings. The fellowship also places added emphasis on scleral buckle training as this is a “lost art” in many programs today. All surgical cases are fully supervised by attending staff. The fellow will also be exposed to several different hospitals and surgical centers, gaining proficiency in a wide variety of equipment and instrumentation.