Foley Clinical Vitreoretinal Fellowship

Program Overview

The Foley Clinical Vitreoretinal Fellowship at Columbia University Irving Medical Center is a comprehensive two-year program designed to prepare ophthalmologists for clinical expertise and surgical skills in the subspecialty of vitreoretinal disease.

One fellow is selected each year through the SF Fellowship Match. Graduates of the program have gone on to successful careers in both academic medicine and private practice. Fellows assist in the ambulatory practices of their preceptors and participate in retina clinics across three major institutions. Over two years, it is expected that the fellow will have participated in over 500 vitreoretinal surgeries (more than half as primary surgeon), 200 laser procedures, and at least one research project leading to publication.

Curriculum Highlights

Columbia Ophthalmology’s Retina Fellowship builds on a long and distinguished tradition of specialist training, with generations of fellows shaping retina care nationally and internationally. Columbia’s Retina Division faculty, recognized for their expertise in both traditional and cutting-edge approaches to retina care, provide close surgical mentorship and foster progressive independence in patient management.

Throughout the two years, fellows will be exposed to a wide range of retinal disorders, including AMD, retinal vascular diseases, macular surgery, retinal detachments, and complex surgeries such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. There are also opportunities for participation in the inherited retinal disease and ocular oncology clinic.