The doctors of University Eye Specialists, Drs. Ruderman, Rosenberg, Yang and Farrokh-Siar, offer a one year clinical concentration in the diagnosis and management of all forms of adult glaucoma. Our fellowship is distinguished by having four busy preceptors; this enables our fellow to have exposure to various methods of managing ocular disease and to learn diverse surgical techniques.
One-year Clinical Fellowship
The fellow participates directly and actively in all aspects of our busy medical, laser and surgical practice. Fellows carry out a comprehensive systemic and ocular evaluation of all new and follow-up glaucoma patients referred to University Eye Specialists. Ancillary testing and recommendation of therapy is then discussed in detail with the attending preceptor. We use current diagnostic equipment including OCT, HRT, Humphrey and Goldmann perimeters, including SWAP algorithm, FDT, digital stereo fundus photography and have a full complement of in-office lasers including selective laser, argon, diode and YAG lasers.
Graduating fellows from University Eye Specialists have a medical and surgical experience that exceeds many other glaucoma fellowships in terms of volume and diversity of procedures, including trabeculectomy (primary/complex) and its revisions, tube shunt surgery, phacoemulsification, cyclodestruction, and Express mini-glaucoma procedures. Drs. Ruderman, Rosenberg, Yang and Farrokh-Siar perform more than 500 surgical (glaucoma and cataracts) procedures and see 20,000 outpatients per year. In addition, unlike many other glaucoma fellowships, our fellow has ample opportunity to further their skills in cataract surgery, including presbyopia-correcting lens implants. As busy surgeons, our fellow is often in the operating room two or three times a week.
Educational Conferences
A series of grand rounds and lectures at Northwestern Memorial Hospital are available to the fellow, along with glaucoma-specific clinical and research discussion groups such as the Chicago Glaucoma Society which meets on a quarterly basis. University Eye Specialists also subsidizes fellow attendance at the Chicago Ophthalmological Society meetings, as well as the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Glaucoma Society annual meetings. Fellows lead a quarterly Morbidity and Mortality session with the group.
Accreditation
One fellow per year is matched to assure maximal clinical and surgical experience. Our fellowship is accredited and is in full compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) and compliance committee. The doctors are on staff at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and are faculty members at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University.
We welcome you to apply for fellowship at University Eye Specialists
Over the past 25 years, we have trained more than 35 fellows who practice in over 10 states and 4 countries. Our graduates work in various settings including academia, private practice and government agencies. We consider our fellow a valued member of our team and we are dedicated to training exceptional fellows who will provide quality care to their patients. Moreover we enjoy and are grateful for the many long-term relationships we’ve had with our graduates.
The city of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs provide a steady offering of culture, restaurants, sporting events, and friendly Midwesterners! We hope you give University Eye Specialists serious consideration in your choice to further your ophthalmic training.
If you would like to learn more about the Fellowship opportunity at University Eye Specialists, contact Fiona Higgins at 312-475-1000.
Fellows Testimonials
Unni Nair (2009-2010)
"The glaucoma fellowship at University Eye Specialists combines a clinically diverse patient population with excellent training in the medical and surgical management of glaucoma. One of the strengths of the fellowship is having the mentorship of four different glaucoma specialists whose management styles are similar yet individualized. There is active teaching by the faculty, supplemented with ongoing case discussion sessions. I feel that having undergone training under the physicians at UES has prepared me thoroughly for a fulfilling career in glaucoma and ophthalmology.""
Aarthi Balashanmugam (2008-2009)
"I had a great experience doing my fellowship at UES. The physicians are very knowledgeable and I learned so much from each of them. I really enjoyed getting to know all the physicians and staff on a personal level. The fellowship training has shaped me into becoming a better ophthalmologist, glaucoma specialist, and surgeon."
Johann Ohly (2007-2008)
"The glaucoma fellowship at University Eye Specialists fully prepared me for the challenges of a career as a glaucoma specialist. My mentors are a caring and ethical group with a wide range of clinical approaches and opinions. The fellowship provides diverse glaucoma surgical experience while offering the opportunity to continue to build general ophthalmology skills. The doctors at UES serve a unique demographic, allowing me to see rare conditions and increasing my efficiency in treating routine cases. I value the relationships I developed with the doctors at UES as they continue to provide a valuable go-to resource when treating a rare condition or complication."
Nina Goyal (2006-2007)
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"Being a fellow at University Eye Specialists was a very unique and comprehensive experience. The group is comprised of 4 glaucoma specialists— this allowed me to learn several different clinical and surgical approaches to some very complex glaucoma cases. It was also a very hands-on experience. Often times the patients came to rely on the fellow to manage their care on a day to day basis, while always having an attending on hand should the need arise. To be able to tap in to the minds of some of the leading glaucoma specialists is a definite plus! My training at UES was a wonderful experience and truly helped prepare me to enter the world as a glaucoma specialist."