Training Institutions
New Delhi
Noida, UP
Kolkata, WB
This fellowship is for early-career ophthalmologists ready to lead with skill, compassion, and Impact.
Apply for the program
Blindness due to cataract and refractive errors is still a major public health concern in India. Shortage of trained eye care professionals, particularly in rural areas, results in delay in diagnosis and treatment. Training of eye care professionals and encouraging them to work in rural areas can help to ensure equitable and impactful eye health care services across the most underserved parts of the country.
Sightsavers India Fellowship is an opportunity for early career ophthalmologists to get practical surgical training, mentorship from experienced professionals, and exposure to both hospital-based and community eye care settings.
This 18 month structured fellowship offers a rigorous, immersive experience across hospital systems, close mentorship and community outreach. It emphasizes on surgical excellence, patient safety, and service delivery. Along with strengthening clinical and surgical skills, the fellowship also focuses on building confidence, leadership, and a deeper understanding of delivering quality care in diverse settings.
Structured hands-on clinical and surgical training *
Exiting District Posting
One-on-one clinical and surgical mentorship
Guidance on essential life skills
Attractive monthly stipend and residential facility
Exposure to Community Ophthalmology
Enrolment in Alcon PDP
* Cataract surgeries and exposure to commonly encountered anterior segment procedures, including DCT, pterygium excision, corneal ulcer management, intravitreal antibiotic administration, anterior vitrectomy, and lid surgeries.
The individual should be a post-graduate or a diploma holder in ophthalmology (MS/DNB/DO) from any recognized institute/university in India (current year pass outs are eligible to apply), having sound knowledge on clinical ophthalmology.
High learning orientation, adaptability, professional ethics and emotional resilience.
New Delhi
Noida, UP
Kolkata, WB
For Phacoemulsification Training
Fellows will be placed at a Sightsavers India partner hospital in one of these States for progressive hands-on clinical and surgical exposure
Attractive monthly stipend provided throughout the fellowship.
For details
Download the brochure
This program has honed my surgical skills and equipped me to manage complications effectively, thanks to personalised one-on-one training by seasoned experts. As I begin my journey in host locations, I'm greeted by a supportive atmosphere, with the Sightsavers India team by my side. This fellowship has sharpened my professional skills and ignited a passion to serve my community with compassion and excellence.
Four months of rigorous training transformed my surgical skills, empowering me to perform surgeries independently. Now stationed in a remote area, I provide essential eye care to underserved communities. Thanks to Sightsavers India's support, I am making a meaningful daily impact. It's an honour to be part of this vital work.
After four intensive months of training, fellows like me are deployed to peripheral locations for 20 months, extending quality eye care to grassroots communities. This program ignites a sense of philanthropy, inspiring us to serve underserved segments. Additionally, it offers insights into hospital management, enriching our current work and preparing us for future endeavours.
Under the tutelage of esteemed mentors, I have learnt the delicate art of Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS), gaining proficiency and the confidence to perform these life-altering procedures. Sightsavers India Fellowship program provided a collaborative learning environment, and support fostered my growth as a skilled surgeon.
I joined in 2022 batch. Sightsavers India Fellowship is a unique program and exactly what I needed. It started with a basic training period of 4 months which includes OPD exposure, outreach camps and basic SICS training. After getting a good exposure in SICS skills, I got trained in Phaco surgeries under Alcon PDP within a year into the course. Right now, I am posted in the host hospital where I am doing independent SICS, Phaco surgeries along with minor procedures and improving my clinical & diagnostic skills with lots of OPD exposure. My training period was very impactful which boosted my confidence in surgical skills, enabling me to perform independent surgeries within a short span of time. I am very thankful for this program for giving me dynamic opportunity for learning and growing as a clinician and a surgeon.
Participating in the Sightsavers India Fellowship Program has been an exceptional professional journey for me. This program, designed to nurture independent and skilled cataract surgeons, has provided me with invaluable experiences and refined my surgical skills under expert guidance. As a Sightsavers India Fellow, I have actively contributed to eye screening camps and community services, benefiting from comprehensive training and a supportive environment. Through hands-on experience, I have successfully performed a substantial number of SICS and Phaco surgeries, concurrently providing support to oversee a 35-bed hospital facility. Moreover, I have actively engaged in team-building activities and assumed leadership roles, further enriching my professional development.
The Sightsavers India Fellowship is an exceptional program that equips young ophthalmologists with the skills to become competent cataract surgeons. My extensive training in SICS and Phaco has equipped me with the skills necessary to successfully conduct the surgical procedures. This experience has boosted my confidence and deepened my understanding of various ocular conditions. The fellowship's structured approach and opportunities to participate in initiatives like the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) survey and exposure to the All-India Ophthalmological Society Conference (AIOC) significantly enriched my understanding of rural eye health and the latest advancements in ophthalmology. I highly recommend this fellowship to young ophthalmologists seeking hands-on experience and professional growth in India.
I am a part of Sightsavers India Fellowship and am deeply grateful to have got this opportunity. It has been an amazing experience in terms of growth, learning and over all self-development. From the outstanding training to RAAB survey to host placement, I have gained a lot of experience in terms of surgeries and academic skills. Constant support via regular reviews, mental resilience workshop and the most cooperative environment has made this journey so smooth and cherishable. I would recommend my co-ophthalmologists to join this fellowship to enhance their surgical learning and enrich themselves with ground level experience of the ophthalmology practice in India.
As a proud participant of the 2022 Sightsavers India Fellowship, I have undergone a transformative journey towards becoming a well-rounded ophthalmologist and confident surgeon. I gained valuable experience performing SICS and Phaco surgeries independently. Additionally, I have had the privilege of contributing to the RAAB survey, which was a lifechanging experience for me. I commend the exemplary training, support, and mentorship provided by the Sightsavers India team, training institution, and the host hospital throughout the duration of the fellowship. I wholeheartedly recommend this fellowship to young ophthalmologists aspiring to elevate their surgical proficiency and acquire firsthand experiences in the field of ophthalmology in India.