DESCRIPTION OF GLAUCOMA/ANTERIOR SEGMENT FELLOWSHIP: Our objective is to provide patient care, teaching, and research opportunities. The fellow will gain solid knowledge of clinical management skills in the treatment of various types of glaucoma and anterior segment pathology. Surgical training includes topical anesthesia techniques to glaucoma surgery, all types of glaucoma surgery including trabeculectomy, non-penetrating glaucoma procedures such as the deep sclerectomy, glaucoma drainage devices, cycloablation, combined phaco/trabeculectomy, combined phaco/deep sclerectomy, as well as anterior segment reconstruction. The glaucoma aspect of the fellowship is under the guidance of Drs. Ramesh S. Ayyala and Delmar R. Caldwell.

DESCRIPTION OF CORNEA/EXTERNAL DISEASES/REFRACTIVE SURGERY FELLOWSHIP: In addition, the program is designed to expose the fellow to cornea and external diseases and refractive surgery. The Cornea and External Diseases/Refractive experience is obtained under the supervision of Drs. Delmar R. Caldwell and Miles H. Friedlander. The fellow is exposed to penetrating keratoplasty, microkeratome-assisted posterior penetrating keratoplasty, triple procedures, anterior segment reconstruction, and refractive procedures including LASIK, LASEK, PRK and astigmatic keratotomy.

ROTATIONS: The fellow will participate in clinics based at Tulane University Hospital and Clinic in New Orleans and the VA Medical Centers at New Orleans and Alexandria.The fellow will spend six months of the year with the glaucoma/anterior segment service and six months with the cornea/external diseases service.

RESEARCH: This fellowship does emphasize research. The fellow is expected to actively take part in the ongoing clinical and basic science research in the glaucoma service. This includes research related to glaucoma drainage devices, glaucoma gene study among the Cajun population, slow release drug delivery system and drug studies. A yearly research presentation at graduation (Tulane Eye Alumni Day and Annual C.S. O’Brien Professorship) is required.

CURRENT STIPEND: PGY V level.

MEETINGS: Fellows receive free attendance to the internationally recognized annual meeting of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology (three-day seminar in New Orleans). Funds are also available for partial support to a meeting of choice on glaucoma/anterior segment or cornea/external diseases/refractive surgery when a paper/presentation is accepted. Fellows may also attend the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

LOUISIANA LICENSURE: In order to obtain Louisiana licensure by reciprocity, you must have passed all three parts of the USMLE and hold a current medical license in another state.

FOREIGN MEDICAL GRADUATES: You must have an ECFMG certificate and be able to obtain the appropriate visa for participating in this program. You must also be able to obtain a permanent Louisiana license from the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. Applications will not be accepted from medical graduates who have not completed three years of ACGME approved residency training in the US or Canada in the same specialty.

Louisiana licensure is required at the start of the fellowship, July 1. If you have specific questions regarding licensure, please contact the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners at (504) 524-6763 or www.lsbme.org.

If the program appears interesting and rewarding for you, please forward your curriculum vitae, photograph, personal statement, three associated letters of reference and your fellowship match number. The fellowship application deadline is October 1. Your packet needs to be complete by this date.

If you have questions or need further information, contact Dr. Ramesh S. Ayyala FRCS, FRCOphth at 504-988-2479 or e-mail at slawshe@tulane.edu.

If you would like information from recent participants in the glaucoma/anterior segment fellowship, you can contact the following doctors: Jared Vincent, MD (jmvmd@hotmail.com), Amy Hong, MD (amy4729@hotmail.com), JR Maehara, MD (sciaenops@hotmail.com).