Program overview
The Fellowship in Phacoemulsification is a complete one year advanced training program for ophthalmologists who want to learn to become experts in the modern cataract surgery technique. It involves a structured online program coupled with clinical training, including detailed exposure to phacoemulsification, cataract evaluation, surgical planning, intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and management of complications. Participants are taught via expert teaching, surgical video, wet labs, simulation, live case reviews and guided operating room experience. Fellows gain confidence in cataract surgeries, while applying international standards for patient safety and surgical excellence, through clinical exposure at top eye hospitals and surgical centers.
What Skills You Will Gain
Familiarize yourself in the art of the phacoemulsification procedure, capsulorhexis, hydrodissection, nucleus management and IOL implantation.
Gain knowledge in the use of the phaco machine, fluidics management, and energy modulation.
Perform thorough pre-operative evaluation and planning for cataract surgery.
Develop proficiency in handling routine cataract, advanced and complicated cataract surgeries.
Understand how to prevent and manage intra and post-operative complications.
Gain confidence by wet lab training, simulation learning and supervised surgeries.
Be familiar with the advanced IOL technologies, biometry & the optimization of refractive outcomes.
Gain expertise in treating paediatric cataract and special patient groups.
Develop ophthalmic methodology, case presentation and academic writing skills.
Understand the technologies of teleophthalmology, digital documentation and AI in cataract surgery.
Improve the counseling and informed consent as well as post-operative management of patients.
Develop leadership, teaching and mentorship skills in ophthalmic surgical practice.
Career Outcome
Improve and establish your career path as an accomplished cataract and anterior segment surgeon.
Improve independent, confident phacoemulsification skills.
Use of advanced techniques in the management of cataract to enhance surgery outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Increase job prospects at eye hospitals, specialty ophthalmology centers and surgical institutes.
Boost your resume for consultant, senior surgeon and academic ophthalmology positions.
Develop the necessary skills for running high volume cataract surgery practices and premium IOL practices.
Develop skills in starting or growing an own practice in the field of ophthalmology.
Establish solid preparation for high-level fellowship in cataract surgery, refractive surgery or anterior segment surgery.
Expand opportunities for clinical research, publications and academic teaching.
Develop and achieve an internationally recognised CPD accredited fellowship which boosts professional credibility and global career opportunities.
What you will learn
Learn from Industry-Leading Ophthalmic Surgeons
Skill-Driven Workshops on Advanced Phacoemulsification Techniques
Flexible Learning for Modern Eye Surgeons
Future-Ready Phacoemulsification Curriculum
Clinical Training for Real-World Surgical Practice
Course curriculum
- Anatomy & physiology of the eye
- Basics of cataract formation and classification
- Principles of phacoemulsification
- Pre-operative evaluation & patient selection
- Introduction to surgical instruments and phaco machine settings
- Wet lab: Microscope handling & suturing techniques
- Step-by-step surgical procedure of phacoemulsification
- Capsulorhexis and hydrodissection
- Nucleus management techniques: divide and conquer, stop and chop, phaco chop
- IOL types and implantation techniques
- Fluidics and energy modulation
- Simulated surgery & supervised OR exposure begins
- Intraoperative complications: posterior capsule rupture, zonular dialysis, corneal burn
- Post-operative complications: endophthalmitis, cystoid macular edema, PCO
- Management protocols and prevention strategies
- Live case discussions and video analysis
- Hands-on wet lab: managing challenging cases on simulators
- Mature and hypermature cataracts
- Small pupil and pseudoexfoliation syndrome
- Post-vitrectomy eyes and subluxated lenses
- Manual SICS vs phaco: decision-making in complex scenarios
- Manual SICS vs phaco: decision-making in complex scenarios
- Surgical exposure to complex case assistance and performance
- Basics of ophthalmic research methodology
- Case documentation and academic writing
- Presentation skills for clinical and surgical cases
- Submission of at least one research paper or case report
- Internal assessment: logbook review, written exam, and viva
- WHO and ICO standards for cataract blindness prevention
- National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) – India
- Universal protocols for surgical safety (WHO Surgical Checklist)
- Accreditation standards (NABH, JCI) in ophthalmic practice
- Benchmarking outcomes: EUREQUO and IRIS registry insights
- Systemic diseases affecting cataract surgery (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
- Coordination with internists and anesthetists
- Cardiology clearance protocols and anticoagulant management
- Neurological signs mistaken for cataract-related vision loss
- Geriatric considerations in cataract surgery
- Differences in anatomy and surgical approach
- Timing and urgency of intervention in congenital cataracts
- IOL implantation in children – controversies and best practices
- Amblyopia therapy post-surgery
- Follow-up protocols and parental counseling
- Adult learning principles in medical education
- How to teach phaco step-by-step to residents
- Designing wet lab training modules
- Giving effective surgical feedback
- Preparing for a role as an academic faculty or trainer
- Tele-screening for cataracts in rural/underserved areas
- Use of smartphone-based slit lamps and fundus cameras
- EMR integration and digital documentation tools
- Video recording and editing for case sharing & learning
- Real-time surgical mentoring via teleconferencing
- Overview of high-volume surgery models (e.g., Aravind Eye Care)
- Techniques to maintain speed without compromising safety
- Cost-effective surgical kits and reusable instruments
- Inventory and waste management
- Community outreach and mobile eye camps
- Emotional resilience in surgical practice
- Time and stress management for surgeons
- Developing leadership in clinical teams
- Ethics in leadership and decision-making
- Preparing for international fellowships or higher education
- Launching a solo practice or ambulatory surgery center (ASC)
- Business planning and financing options for ophthalmologists
- Legal compliance, insurance, and patient data protection
- Marketing strategies for private eye clinics
- Innovations and startups in ophthalmology
- AI in pre-operative diagnostics and IOL power prediction
- Integration of AI with biometry and topography tools
- Smart phaco systems and real-time decision support
- Augmented reality in surgical training
- Ethical concerns and limits of automation in surgery
- Pre-op and post-op pharmacological protocols
- Use of NSAIDs, steroids, and antibiotics
- Management of allergic reactions and drug toxicity
- Mydriatics and intraoperative miosis control
- Intracameral vs. topical regimens: pros and cons
- Local anaesthesia techniques: peribulbar, retrobulbar, sub-Tenon’s
- Topical anaesthesia protocols
- Sedation in high-risk patients
- Pain management during and after surgery
- Emergency response to anaesthesia-related complications
- Empathy and communication in vision-related disability
- Delivering bad news and managing expectations
- Visual aids for counseling illiterate patients
- Informed consent in special populations (elderly, disabled)
- Building long-term patient relationships and retention