Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship

I. Goals

The goals of the pediatric ophthalmology fellowship will be:

• To develop surgical and diagnostic skills necessary to properly treat both common and uncommon ophthalmologic problems that occur in children.

• To expand knowledge, examination and therapeutic ability in all areas of strabismus in children and adults.

• To participate in clinical or basic science research projects.

• To be conversant with ophthalmologic issues that concern children in the community and gain experience in assuming a leadership role in the resolution of these problems, e.g., lectures to school nurses, participation in screening clinics, resident strabismus lectures.

• To contribute to the expansion of services and research potential of the pediatric ophthalmology section at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary by activities in other departments and in the community.

• To meet the guidelines established by the Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus for a fellowship program - a group that we would expect our fellows to actively support.

II. Clinical Experiences 

A. The fellow is expected to actively participate in the following pediatric ophthalmology clinics at the Eye and Ear Infirmary for a 12-month period of time:

Monday AM: Surgery or Private Patients with Attending and/or Resident Clinic
Monday PM: Surgery or Private Patients with Attending and/or Resident Clinic

Tuesday AM/PM: Dr. Miller's private patients
Tuesday AM/PM: Resident Clinic

Wednesday AM: Surgery with private pediatric ophthalmology faculty (2/month)

Pediatric Ophthalmology, Genetic, and Birth Defect Clinic (1/month)*

Pediatric Neuro-ophthalmology Clinic (1/month)*

Wednesday PM: Consultation Practice (3/month)

Neurocutaneous Clinic (1/month)

Private Patients (2/month)

Thursday AM: Surgery with Dr. Ticho at private hospital (1/month)
Thursday AM: Resident Clinic
Thursday PM: Resident Clinic

Friday AM: Private patients
Friday PM: Private patients
Friday PM: Supervision of Residents in the General Eye Clinic

*Surgery is scheduled on Wednesday mornings; fellow to work in these clinics after surgery.

B.  Other clinical experiences in the Department of Ophthalmology that will be included in the fellowship program for varying periods of time:

1. NICU ROP examinations.

2. Experience with electrophysiology.

3. Pediatric hospital consultations at the University of Illinois and examination of patients at the Craniofacial Center

4. Pre-operative and post-operative evaluation of children with congenital cataracts, retinoblastoma and other important conditions affecting children.

5. Spending 2-1/2 days at the State School for the Blind in Jacksonville , Illinois one or two times during the year.

6. Back-up night call for trauma patients periodically (at home).

7. Retinoblastoma Tumor Board.

C. Community Experiences:

1. Visit our local Light House for the Blind and Visually Impaired to understand how children are screened for ocular problems and methods of referral.

2. Participate in screening of children in local community health days.

D. Attend conferences, lectures, etc. in the Department of Ophthalmology.

III. Research and Teaching

A.  The fellow may complete one or more clinical or basic science research projects in an area related to pediatric ophthalmology or strabismus. The fellowship supervisors will approve this activity but it may be done in conjunction with any faculty member.

B.  The fellow will have the opportunity to assist in teaching and clinical supervision of medical students and residents. The fellow will also on occasion be asked to prepare a lecture for ophthalmology residents or medical students, participate in Pediatric Ophthalmology Journal Club (6/year), and Ophthalmology Department Grand Rounds.

IV. Surgery

A. The development of surgical knowledge and skills will be a major goal of the fellowship. This will be achieved by:

• Participation with attending staff on pediatric and adult strabismus surgeries.

• Observing and assisting attending staff, when requested, on pediatric patients of interest, e.g., congenital cataracts, ocular tumors, glaucoma, oculoplastic, ROP.

• Assisting residents in routine motility surgery when service attending staff is not available.

B. The fellow should be conversant with the advantages and disadvantages of common and unusual surgical procedure advocated for pediatric ophthalmology problems and all types of strabismus.

V. Other Skills

The fellow will be encouraged to develop additional skills and/or familiarity with special types of tests and work-ups such as:

A. Complete orthoptic evaluation. This will be done under the direction of the clinic orthoptist.

B. Electrophysiology tests (VEP, ERG, etc.).

C. The problems and indications for special radiologic techniques in children.

VI. Financial Support

The fellowship will be funded by the Department of Ophthalmology.

Revised May 2003

FACULTY:
Kimberlee Curnyn , MD
Yuri Kim, MD
Cereesa Longest, MD
Marilyn T. Miller, MD Interim Program Director
Benjamin Ticho, MD
Julie Lenth-Carver, Certified Orthoptist

For Application Materials Contact:

Nydia Santiago
nydisant@uic.edu
312-996-7445
Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus
Department of Ophthalmology
University of Illinois at Chicago
1855 W. Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60612