1. The fellowship program is a six-month intensive clinical training program in Paediatric Optometry. This clinical work will consist primarily of clinical postings in the Paediatric Ophthalmology outpatient department with Paediatric Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and in independent patient care. At least 85 percent of the clinical time would be spent in these clinical postings, allocation of balance time would be determined in consultation with an advisor. Teaching, clinical research and other requirements will fill the remaining part of the schedule.

2. There will be one advisor to assist the fellow in activities related to the program. The advisor will act as a tutor and would provide constant guidance during the program.

3. Participation in community eye care activities is also a responsibility of the fellow. Community eye care will focus on school vision screening programs, corporate entities and for patients suffering from Autism and Learning disabilities.

Course Duration: 6 months
Course Fee: Rs. 60,000/-
No. Of seats: 4 per annum
Session intake: Jan / July
Selection process: Based on academic credentials, Skill evaluation and personal interview
Course Director: Dr. Kavitha Kalaivani Natarajan
Honorary Consultant: Dr. Jameel Rizwana Hussain
Program coordinator: Ms Jaanake.V.N

Activity Plan for six months

One month Orientation/Observation in General OPD
One month Observation in Paediatric outpatient services (with Pediatric Ophthalmologist/Paediatric Optometrist) (two weeks dedicated to community eye care)
One month Observation in Special clinics of Low Vision and Contact Lens
One month Observation in Binocular Vision/Vision Therapy/Neuro-Optometry clinic
One month Independent Postings in Paediatric OPD

Routine Commitments

Attending Didactic lectures
Reading assignments
Attending Paediatric Grand rounds, Binocular vision Special interest group (SIG) discussions & Optometry Grand rounds.
Case report writing
Journal reading

Lecture topics

1. Strabismus
2. Amblyopia
3. Eye movements
4. Accommodation & Vergence interactions
5. Sensory and Motor evaluation
6. Diagnosis of accommodation, Vergence and oculomotor anomalies
7. Visual information processing and visual perceptual disorders
8. Vision therapy techniques
9. Special clinical conditions (example Nystagmus, Acquired brain injury, Learning disability etc)
10. Vision screening for binocular vision anomalies
11. Special children vision assessment
12. Case analysis

Recommended study references

• Course modules
• Scheiman M, Wick B. Clinical Management of Binocular Vision – Heterophoric, Accommodative, and eye movement disorders, 2nd edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2002.
• Press L J. Applied Concepts in Vision Therapy. St. Louis: Mosby, 1997.
• Clinical Practice guidelines of AOA on
• Care of the patient with Accommodative and Vergence dysfunction (CPG – 18)
• Care of the patient with amblyopia (CPG – 4)
• Care of the patient with strabismus (CPG – 12)
• Care of the patient with learning disability (CPG 20)
• Care of the patient with pediatric eye and vision examination (CPG 2)