Overview
The primary objective of post-graduate (PG) education is to produce highly skilled professionals who can deliver superior healthcare services and contribute to scientific advancement through research and training. In the field of ophthalmology, the aim of the program is to establish a standardized approach to teaching at the PG level across the country. This will ensure consistency in both PG and undergraduate education, resulting in the development of competent ophthalmic surgeons with the necessary expertise. This document serves as a guideline for educators and learners, offering illustrative directions to attain specific learning outcomes through effective learning and assessment methods. While maintaining the original purpose and content, minor compromises in syntax have been made, retaining the "competencies" within the "domains of learning" to achieve uniformity as approved by the Reconciliation Board of the Academic Committee.
Programme Objectives:
The clinical post-graduate training programs aim to develop a student's skills as a clinical specialist, teacher, and researcher. These programs are designed to equip post-graduate students with the following qualities, knowledge, and skills:
- Fundamental knowledge of human body structure, function, and development as it relates to ophthalmology, including understanding factors that can disrupt these mechanisms and lead to structural and functional disorders
- The ability to independently handle and manage most day-to-day ophthalmology issues, while recognizing the limitations of their clinical knowledge and knowing when to seek further assistance
- Awareness of the impact of the environment on health and familiarity with the epidemiology of common ophthalmological diseases
- The capacity to integrate preventive, curative, and rehabilitative measures in the comprehensive management of diseases
- Proficiency in addressing common eye problems prevalent in rural areas and effectively dealing with them
- Knowledge of the Mobile Ophthalmic Unit, its operation, and its components
- Familiarity with the latest advancements in Ophthalmic Sciences
- The ability to collaborate with senior colleagues in planning educational programs in Ophthalmology and familiarity with modern teaching and evaluation methods
- Competence in identifying research problems, devising rational approaches to solve them, executing research projects, and critically evaluating data in light of existing knowledge
- Proficiency in drawing logical conclusions and assessing the reliability and relevance of evidence
- Basic understanding of the medico-legal aspects of medicine
- Familiarity with patient counseling and obtaining proper consent
Overall, these programs aim to produce well-rounded professionals equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in clinical practice, teaching, and research in the field of ophthalmology.
Curriculum
Commencement of the Course: Academic Year for the MD/MS course shall commence from 2nd May of the year of admission.
Assessment:
There shall be four theory papers.
- Paper I: Basic Sciences related to Ophthalmology, Refraction & Optics
- Paper II: Clinical Ophthalmology
- Paper III: Systemic Diseases in Relation to Ophthalmology
- Paper IV: Recent Advances in Ophthalmology and Community Ophthalmology
Clinical/Practical and oral/viva voce examination:
Clinical:
- Long case
- Short cases with different problems
- Fundus Cases
- Refraction case
Oral/Viva voce Examination shall be comprehensive enough to test the post graduate student’s overall knowledge of the subject and shall include:
- Instruments
- Pathology specimens
- Drugs, X-rays, USG/OCT/CT/MRI Scans, etc
- Visual fields and other ophthalmic diagnostic charts
Teaching and Learning Methods:
- Group Discussion: Junior postgraduate students have the opportunity to present symposiums to their senior peers for thorough discussion. The symposiums are then presented in front of the faculty or senior eye specialists, promoting open and unbiased discussions. These discussions help the postgraduate students prepare for broader class discussions.
- Clinical Case discussion:
a. Apart from bedside discussions and outpatient teaching, it is essential for a department to schedule regular clinical case discussions. These sessions, lasting 1-2 hours once a week, should include a wide range of cases over three years with multiple repetitions. A problem-oriented approach is recommended to enhance decision-making skills.
b. In addition to bedside teaching rounds, a minimum of 5 hours of formal teaching per week is necessary.
c. Encouraging consultant case presentations helps solve complex problems and provides a platform for discussing interesting cases.
d. Students should be encouraged to present and discuss cases based on patient records, as it helps develop their diagnostic and decision-making abilities. It also allows consultants to critically evaluate students' academic progress.
e. Participation in case presentations at in-hospital multidisciplinary forums should be encouraged.
f. Postgraduate students are expected to actively engage in the teaching and training of undergraduate students and interns.
g. The department should promote e-learning activities.
- Seminar: Weekly seminars should be held for a minimum of one hour, covering a diverse range of topics. These topics should be repeated every three years to ensure comprehensive coverage. Seminars can involve individual presentations or group discussions involving multiple postgraduate students.
- Journal Club: Postgraduate students review and discuss journals, analyzing articles within a specific subject area over a six-month period. The review focuses on the 1. Aim 2. Methods 3. Observations 4. Discussions, and 5. Conclusions of each article. The assigned student presents journal summaries to senior postgraduates, demonstrating their comprehension of the article's content. They address any points raised, provide critiques, and evaluate the article in relation to existing literature.
- To be eligible for the postgraduate degree examination, a student in a broad speciality/super speciality postgraduate program must complete one poster presentation, present one paper at a national/state conference, and have one research paper published, accepted for publication, or submitted for publication during their postgraduate studies.
- Out-Patients: During the initial six months of the training program, postgraduate students will be mentored by a faculty member to learn history taking and ocular examination techniques in ophthalmic practice. They will also receive orientation on common eye problems. After this period, clinical postgraduate students will work independently, handling new and old cases, including refractions and prescriptions. They will be supervised by a senior postgraduate student and faculty member, who can provide guidance in challenging situations.
- Wards: Based on the total bed capacity and the number of postgraduate students, beds in the in-patient section will be assigned to each student. The objective is to offer increasing opportunities and responsibilities based on seniority. Postgraduate students are required to maintain detailed histories and case records.
Currently, the importance of beds and admissions in Ophthalmology has diminished, as surgical procedures and specialized investigations are predominantly conducted on an outpatient basis. Teaching primarily takes place in the outpatient department and special clinics.
Rotations: Specialty clinics:The student will have the opportunity to rotate in the following subspecialty clinics:
- Anterior segment and cataract
- Glaucoma
- Oculoplastics
- Paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus
- Retina and Uvea
- Cornea, Contact lens, and low vision
- Neuroophthalmology
- Refractive Clinic
Practicals in Ocular Histopathology:
- Postgraduate students can receive fully stained slides of ocular tissues, along with relevant clinical data, to discuss diagnosis and differential diagnosis based on the provided information
- Participate in approved scientific gatherings (Continuing Medical Education, Symposia, and Conferences)
- Additional sessions covering fundamental sciences, biostatistics, research methods, teaching approaches, hospital waste management, health economics, medical ethics, and legal aspects relevant to ophthalmology practice are recommended
- Regular evaluation of log books will be conducted by faculty members involved in the training to ensure proper maintenance
Team
Dr. Sarita Aggarwal
Professor & HOD
Dr. Shikha Pawaiya
Professor
Dr. Sweta Singh
Associate Professor
Dr. Somesh C Lal Ranjan
Associate Professor
Dr. Sumit Kumar
Assistant Professor
Dr. Mohtasham Tauheed
Assistant Professor
Dr. Pratibha Gupta
Assistant Professor
Career Prospective
- Consultant Ophthalmologist: Set up a private practice or work in hospitals/clinics providing specialized eye care and surgeries.
- Subspecialization: Further specialize in areas like cataract surgery, retina, cornea, glaucoma, pediatric ophthalmology, or oculoplastics.
- Hospital Consultant: Join as a full-time or part-time ophthalmologist at hospitals and healthcare institutions.
- Department Head: Manage and lead an ophthalmology department, ensuring quality care and clinical excellence.
- Faculty in Medical Colleges: Teach and train medical students in ophthalmology, becoming a professor or lecturer.
- Researcher: Engage in academic research or clinical trials to advance ophthalmology practices and treatments.
- Laser Vision Correction Specialist: Work in specialized laser vision centers performing refractive surgeries like LASIK.
- Ophthalmic Researcher: Contribute to clinical research and development of new technologies or treatments in ophthalmology.
- Public Health Ophthalmologist: Lead community outreach programs and work with governmental or international organizations to reduce blindness.
- Entrepreneur: Open your own ophthalmic practice, surgical center, or ophthalmic equipment business.
- International Ophthalmologist: Practice abroad or work with global health organizations to improve eye care worldwide.
- Teleophthalmologist: Provide remote consultations and care through telemedicine platforms, expanding access to underserved areas.
- Forensic Ophthalmologist: Specialize in forensic investigations, providing expert opinions on eye injuries or identification.
- Ophthalmic Journalist: Write articles or create content about eye care and advancements in ophthalmology.
- Social Media Advocate: Lead awareness campaigns on eye health through social media, educating the public on eye conditions and prevention.