Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Fellowship

The Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Fellowship training offers the unique combination of specialized training in comprehensive ophthalmology for infants and children, pediatric ocular surgical instruction and targeted medical and surgical strabismus care for children and adult patients. This is a 12-month program that begins in July. Fellows are mentored by Pediatric ophthalmology mentors Rahul Bhola, MD, Charlotte Gore, MD, Stephen Prepas, MD, and Donny Suh, MD, and rotate through pediatric-ophthalmology clinics and operating rooms at the Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), the UCI Medical Center, and the UCI Gavin Herbert Eye Institute. 

Pediatric ophthalmology is unique in that we provide medical and surgical care for all parts of the eye, offering applicants a very wide range of experiences without having to focus on one sub discipline of ophthalmology. Pediatric ophthalmologists care for ocular diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity, ptosis, nasolacrimal duct obstruction, amblyopia, refractive errors and strabismus in patients from preterm through adolescence. Childhood cataract and glaucoma, requiring early diagnosis, rapid intervention, and specialized surgical techniques as well as unique and important vision development and amblyopia concerns are studied extensively during the fellowship year. Exposure to ophthalmic manifestations of genetic conditions, developmental anomalies and systemic disorders with ocular associations are all part of the fellowship training. Strabismus diagnosis and treatment instruction is extensive and encompasses both children and adults.  

Didactics, case-discussion forums, regional journal clubs, multi-disciplinary rounds, and review sessions augment the busy clinical and surgical exposure. The diverse expertise and busy practices of the fellowship mentors affords each trainee ample opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge base, and experience required for independent practice as a clinical and surgical pediatric ophthalmologist. Each fellow participates actively in the teaching and mentorship of UCI medical students and residents. A rich scholarly community surrounds our Division, providing the motivated fellow with excellent opportunities to lay a strong academic foundation through research and innovation.

Application Procedures

All applicants must register with and apply through San Francisco Match. Applications should be received by the department by the end of August.

Send supplemental materials — scores on the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP), a CV and a photograph — via e-mail to:

Natally Alvarado
Fellowship Coordinator
Department of Ophthalmology
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697-4375
Phone: 949-824-7105
natallya@hs.uci.edu

Interview Process

Applicants are notified by e-mail if they are selected for personal interviews with faculty members.

Benefits

• Choices for health, vision and dental insurance are available through the Veterans Administration at additional cost.
• Life insurance is provided at no additional cost to the fellow.
• Long-term disability insurance is offered at an additional cost through the University of California Regents.
• Fellows are provided with professional liability coverage for all activities that are approved components of the fellowship program.
• Other benefits include:
  -Two weeks of vacation and an academic leave each academic year
  -Financial support to attend major scientific meetings when the fellow is a first author on a paper or abstract