Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus

Overview

Our pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus fellowship is in compliance with the Association of University Professor of Ophthalmology (AUPO) and based on standards developed by the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). The fellowship is generally based on a 12-month clinical experience with some basic research exposure. The fellowship can be extended another year to satisfy the needs of the candidate. That can include more advanced research as well.

Fellowship Objectives
 

• To provide comprehensive postgraduate specialized training in all disciplines of pediatric ophthalmology including management of amblyopia and pediatric strabismus, pediatric cataracts, screening and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity, medical management of pediatric uveitis, interpretation of electrodiagnostic tests, diagnosing and counselling patients with genetic ocular disorders, and some exposure to neuro-ophthalmology and pediatric plastics and lacrimal disorders.
• To provide the fellow with surgical training in order to be able to independently perform all forms of pediatric and adult strabismus surgery including re-operations, transpositions, cyclovertical muscle surgery, cranial nerve paresis, and adjustable suture technique.
• To train the fellow on pediatric cataract surgery including lens extraction and secondary IOL implantation, and post-operative rehabilitation including contact lens fitting. The fellow will also perform nasolacrimal procedures, intravitreal injections and laser for retinopathy of prematurity, and possibly external procedures such as ptosis repair and dermoid cyst excision.
• To provide pediatric ophthalmology research experience that will result in at least one presentation or poster in Research Day. Candidates interested in more advanced research will be supported to achieve that.
• To develop the candidate into an academically oriented pediatric ophthalmologist who is active in research and medical education of student doctors, residents, and fellows.

Clinical and Educational Duties
 

• Provide patient care in outpatient clinics and inpatient consultations under the supervision of the staff ophthalmologist.
• Collaborate with the student orthoptists in preparing for the weekly strabismus rounds during which the student orthoptist presents the cases, and the fellow presents surgical and non-surgical treatment options.
• Present on Department of Opthalmology and Visual Sciences Grand Rounds once a year and the Pediatric Opthalmology Rounds once a month.
• Might be asked to participate as an examiner in the resident exam once or twice during the 12-month fellowship.
• To work on at least one research project.

Vacation
 

Two weeks (10 working days) and 5 days of conference leave.

Funding
 

Funding is available but we encourage prospective fellows to seek sponsorship from local organisations.

Even though it is not essential, prospective Canadian fellows are encouraged to apply for funding grants such as Detweiler Travelling Fellowship that will help partially fund their fellowship. More details about this grant can be found on the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Location
 

Both clinical and surgical experiences are based at the IWK Health Centre for pediatric patients, as well as the Eye Care Centre of the Nova Scotia Health Authority for adult strabismus. IWK Health Centre is the largest tertiary centre for pediatric healthcare in Atlantic Canada. The ophthalmology division receives referrals from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and occasionally Newfoundland and Labrador. The division has an excellent orthoptic support from academically oriented orthoptists and benefits from being home to the largest orthoptic education centre in Canada. The division is well-equipped with the latest technologies in visual acuity testing and ophthalmic imaging. In the rare instances a patient needs a form of ophthalmic imaging not available at IWK Health Centre they will have easy access to the adjacent Eye Care Centre of the Nova Scotia Health Authority where they can have it.

Faculty
 

• Bata, Bashar, MD, FRCOphth, Program Director
  
• Robitaille, Johane, MD, FRCSC, FAO
• Dahrab, Mishari, MD, FRCSC
• Promelle, Veronique, MD, PhD
• Oystreck, Darren, MMedSci, OC(C), COMT, BSc
• Jeff Locke MSc, OC(C), COMT

Application Process
 

Each year we carefully screen potential candidates based on their academic background and clinical experience. Our fellows are typically trained in general ophthalmology and familiar with basic horizontal muscle surgery. If you have completed a recognized residency program in ophthalmology in Canada or abroad and you have relevant references, consider applying for our pediatric ophthalmology fellowship.

Note that the application process is administered through the Ophthalmology Fellowship Matching Service (SF Match). We ask that candidates apply through their website.   

Once the application deadline is reached at the end of September, our selection committee contacts the top candidates for interviews to take place within the following 4-6 weeks. These are in person or through distance telecommunications. We reach out to candidates with the final decision by mid-December.

Requirements
 

• Completion of an ophthalmology residency by the start date of the fellowship.
• Eligibility for a Nova Scotia Licence (Defined Licence).
• Some international fellows might be required to pass an English language proficiency exam (IELTS) to satisfy the requirements for a Nova Scotia defined licence. Some fellows are exempted from this exam. Refer to the website of College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia for the latest information on this or reach out to the fellowship program director for further information.

Contact Information
 

Dr Bashar Bata C/O Trina Webb

Trina.Webb@iwk.nshealth.ca