Foley Clinical Vitreoretinal Fellowship

The Vitreoretinal Fellowship at Columbia University and Manhattan Eye, Ear Hospital and Throat (MEETH)/Northwell Health is a comprehensive program designed to prepare ophthalmologists clinical expertise and surgical skills in the subspecialty of vitreoretinal disease. One fellow is selected through the SF Fellowship Match each year. Our fellows have been successful in both academic and clinical practice pathways following graduation.

The fellow assists in the ambulatory practices of his preceptors, and also participates in the retina clinic at four large institutions. Fellows are expected to attend and present at local, and national conferences and meetings. Over two years, it is expected that the fellow will have participated in over 500 vitreoretinal surgeries (> than half as primary surgeon), 200 Laser procedures and at least one research project leading to publication.

The initial and final six months of the fellowship are spent at MEETH/ Lenox Hill Hospital, Queens Hospital Center, and at the private practice - Vitreous, Retina, and Macula Consultants of New York (VRMNY). The retina fellow is involved in the examination of patients with medical and surgical vitreoretinal disease. The fellow actively participates in procedures with at least 7 vitreoretinal surgeons. An Eyesi VR simulator is available to develop the hands and feet coordination required in vitreous surgery. Mentorship on research projects will originate here. After the first six months, the fellow will rotate to Columbia University Medical Center as the Foley Vitreoretinal Fellow. Their duties will be to participate in the medical and surgical practice of the Retina Division faculty and to act as consultant and teacher in the Retina Clinic where they will have responsibility for the retinal care of ambulatory, and inpatients. The fellow will also participate in patient care in the Retina division at Harlem Hospital. During this period, they will also be encouraged to pursue a scholarly project for publication or presentation. A wet lab is also available to practice membrane peeling and suturing. The final six months will return to MEETH/ Queens Hospital Center/VRMNY where the fellow will have increasing responsibility in both medical and surgical care of patients. All surgical cases are supervised by an attending physician throughout the fellowship.

Throughout the two years, fellows will be exposed to a wide range of retinal disorders including AMD, retinal vascular diseases, macular surgery, retinal detachments, complex surgeries such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. There also are opportunities for participation in inherited retinal disease and ocular oncology clinic. Throughout the fellowship, there are regular retina focused conferences such as Retina Council, Imaging and Retinal Surgery Conference, and Inherited Retinal Disease where fellows actively participate. A weekly case presentation and Grand Rounds is held at each Ophthalmology Department that can be attended either in person or with remote access.