Hands- on Training Program in Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery

Duration: Two months

Commencement of session: Every month

No. of candidates: Two every month

Qualifications: Practicing ophthalmologists

Admission procedure: Applications for the program should be accompanied by a curriculum vitae as well as testimonials and letters from two reference persons.

Selection: On a first-come first-served basis. Candidates identified by sponsoring organizations should submit their applications through these organizations.

Course Schedule

0 - 1 Week

• Preoperative workup (supervised)
• Assisting faculty in surgery
• Practice surgery with assistance in individual steps, if required

2 - 4 Weeks

• Preoperative workup (supervised)
• Assisting faculty in surgery
• Practice surgery with assistance in individual steps, if required, and also independent surgery under supervision in the fourth week.
• Early and late postoperative care (supervised)
• A-scan and keratometry (supervised)

5 - 8 Weeks

• Preoperative workup
• Independent surgery: During the 5th and 8th weeks the trainee will visit one of our satellite centres for further hands-on experience.
• Supervised early and late postoperative care

Surgery

Step 1: Assisting surgery (1st week): Emphasis is placed on assisting as many surgeons who use this technique as possible to allow the trainee to pick up the variations best suited to him/her.

Step 2: Supervised surgery (2nd and 3rd week): The trainee will be then guided through the steps of manual SICS with one-on-one supervision by a faculty member (The steps may not necessarily be done on the same case). The faculty member will assist the trainee and teach not only regular surgery but also management of complications as and when they arise.

The complications encountered will likely include those specific to manual SICS. There will be discussions with the trainee before, during, and after the procedure.

Step 3: Independent surgery (4th week): A nurse or fellow of the Institute will assist the trainee. The faculty member will be available in case any help is required. This shall be done for approximately 15 – 20 cases.

Step 4: In the satellite centres (5th to 8th week): The trainee will be assisted by the nurse or comprehensive fellow posted there, who will be an expert in manual SICS.

Trainee Evaluation

All members of the faculty will be involved in the training. This will provide trainees exposure to different approaches to SICS. Trainees are encouraged to discuss all aspects of their surgical experience and techniques with the faculty. Their performance will be evaluated regularly and training may be terminated if their performance and attitude towards patient care does not measure up to the Institute’s expectations.

Accommodation and Cafeteria

Trainees are provided rent-free shared bachelors’ accommodation in the campus hostel. Cafeteria services are available within the campus.

Facilities

The Institute has excellent structural facilities with examination rooms, eight dedicated operating rooms, top-of-the-line equipment, as well as diagnostic, therapeutic and ancillary support services. Prominent among the facilities available are an ophthalmic pathology laboratory, molecular genetics laboratory, microbiology laboratory, and a stem cell laboratory. In addition to a full range of laser and surgical equipment, the fellow will also have access to a well-equipped surgical wet laboratory.

The library and information services department at LVPEI are accessible 24 hours a day and offer the latest information in ophthalmology.

For further details contact
Education Centre,
L V Prasad Eye Institute,
L V Prasad Marg, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500 034
Telephone: +91-40-3061 2445 / 46
Fax: +91-40-2354 8271
Email: education@lvpei.org