About the Program

Clinical Description

The Vitreoretinal Fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity to train at a world-renowned center of excellence in medical and surgical retina, where numerous innovations and advances in the field have originated. Fellows are mentored by six distinguished vitreoretinal surgeons and thirty-four leading medical retina specialists, providing an unparalleled breadth and depth of clinical and surgical experience.

Clinical and Surgical Training

Fellows gain comprehensive exposure to a wide spectrum of vitreoretinal diseases, including common and rare retinal pathologies. Through high-volume clinics and operating rooms, fellows develop advanced diagnostic and management skills, culminating in competence and confidence as independent vitreoretinal surgeons. Graduates carry forward a strong tradition of clinical and surgical excellence.

Advanced Diagnostic and Subspecialty Exposure

Training extends beyond traditional medical and surgical retina to include:

• Electrophysiology, inherited retinal degenerations, and ocular genetics, with hands-on experience in specialized diagnostic testing and interpretation.
• Ocular oncology, including diagnosis and management of intraocular and periocular tumors.
• Emerging therapies, such as ocular gene therapy, regenerative strategies, and tissue engineering with stem cells, offering firsthand exposure to the forefront of translational retinal medicine.

Program Outcomes

We are proud to achieve the highest rate of academic vitreoretinal specialist in the nation. Upon completion, fellows graduate as highly skilled vitreoretinal specialists—clinicians, surgeons, and scholars—equipped to advance patient care and contribute meaningfully to the continued evolution of the field.

Research and Academic Activities

Research opportunities are available in both clinical and basic science areas of retinal diseases across Columbia’s affiliated sites. Projects include clinical trials in choroidal neovascularization, diabetic retinopathy, and macular edema and clinical studies of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and central serous choroidopathy. Basic research areas include molecular genetics of age-related macular degeneration, advanced glycation products in diabetic retinopathy, lipofuscin production, retinal transplantation, and gene therapy. Affiliated faculty are available as preceptors for these projects. Fellows are expected to attend and present at local, and national conferences and meetings.

Throughout the fellowship, there are regular retina-focused conferences such as the Retina Council, Imaging and Retinal Surgery Conference, and Inherited Retinal Disease, where fellows actively participate. A weekly case presentation and Grand Rounds are held at each Ophthalmology Department which can be attended either in person or with remote access.

Recent Alumni

Columbia’s Vitreoretinal Fellowship Program is a national leader in training future retina specialists, offering one of the highest mentor-to-trainee ratios in the country. Through rigorous clinical training, research opportunities, and exposure to diverse patient populations throughout Manhattan, the program consistently produces outstanding vitreoretinal surgeons and clinician-scientists.

In 2019, the program was further strengthened through the establishment of the Foley Clinical Vitreoretinal Fellowship, an endowment that provides dedicated support for recruiting and training fellows in advanced vitreoretinal techniques. This investment ensures that Columbia fellows continue to acquire the expertise needed to preserve and restore vision for patients worldwide.

*_{Foley Clinical Vitreoretinal Fellowship Recipients}

For additional information, please contact us at:

Columbia University Department of Ophthalmology
Fellowship Match Program
622 West 168th Street, PH18 - Box 20
New York, NY 10032
Phone: 212-305-3339
Email: pag2109@columbia.edu