Curriculum

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In conjunction with retina faculty members, you are responsible for evaluating patients who are directed to the retina service. You see patients with medical retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular disease, uveitis, retinal degenerations, and posterior segment tumors.

Your role includes initial examination of the patient, documentation of pertinent findings, interpretation of imaging and diagnostic tests, and formulating a management plan. Retina faculty members provide ongoing feedback, mentorship, and support as they work with the fellows in the clinic.

Our case mix ranges from common diseases and presentations to rare diseases, which include unusual cases and second opinions from across the nation and globe.

Having the opportunity to work with and learn from the pioneers in the field of retina diseases is definitely a priceless opportunity for a distinguished and comprehensive clinical training. Here at Mayo Clinic, it was the first time I came to know the value and importance of real mentorship and guidance. This experience will be unforgettable for me on both personal and professional levels.

Heba Rihani, M.D.
Medical retina fellow

Call frequency

During the fellowship, you are not obligated to take routine eye emergency calls. You are expected to evaluate and participate in the care of medical retina patients that need to be seen emergently. This typically occurs during the day. You will help with hospital consults (less than once a month) in a rotation with other subspecialty fellows.

Research training

Mayo Clinic has extensive research facilities and resources. Examples of studies undertaken include clinical research (retrospective and prospective studies), translational research, epidemiological research, including using databases from the Rochester Epidemiology Project, and bench research.

You are expected and encouraged to participate in and complete one or more research projects related to retinal diseases. In some cases, laboratory experiments may be undertaken. In addition, Mayo Clinic faculty participate in several clinical trials on novel drugs for retinal disease, in which you may be able to participate.

You are encouraged to present your research findings at a national meeting such as the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), or the Retina Society.

Learn more about ophthalmology research at Mayo Clinic.

Didactic training

You are expected to attend the Department of Ophthalmology lecture series, which includes:

Grand Rounds
Research Rounds
Quality Rounds
Retina Imaging Rounds

You will be asked to prepare one to two lectures during the retina portion of the yearly lecture series.

Mayo Clinic ophthalmology conferences

See sample brochures from past conferences:

Teaching opportunities

You have the opportunity to teach students from Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, visiting students from other medical schools, and ophthalmology residents.

Evaluation

To ensure that you acquire adequate knowledge and develop the appropriate technical skills to meet program expectations, your performance is monitored carefully during the Medical Retina Fellowship. You are formally evaluated by supervising faculty members on a quarterly basis and meet with the program director to review these evaluations. In addition, you regularly evaluate the faculty to confirm that your educational needs are being met.