The mission of the Duke Glaucoma Fellowship program is to develop in trainees a fundamental understanding of glaucoma diagnosis and management and to promote intellectual curiosity. We are dedicated to the principal that research into disease mechanisms, patient care, and new technologies is the primary method by which we improve the outcomes of our patients.

 

Over more than 25 years the Duke Glaucoma Fellowship has trained more than 50 glaucoma subspecialists. Duke-fellowship trained glaucoma subspecialists are a strong presence in the academic world. Former Duke fellows have become department chairs and endowed professors. Duke fellowship graduates are innovators in glaucoma surgery and are leaders in clinical care and research.  The breadth and depth of clinical and research experience available in the Duke Glaucoma Fellowship provide trainees with the tools to succeed in a diverse array of careers in glaucoma care. 

 

One and two year glaucoma fellowships are available. The first year is primarily clinical, with approximately 20 percent of the fellow’s effort dedicated to research pursuits. We encourage fellows who are interested in an academic career to consider a second year with a focus on research. This year consists of a 25 percent clinical effort during which time the fellow functions as a junior faculty member with independent practice privileges. In the second year, 75 percent of the fellow’s time is devoted to research, providing the opportunity to  pursue a wide variety of interests in collaboration with Glaucoma Service faculty.

 

Click here to see where our past Glaucoma Fellows are now.

 

Clinical Training

The Duke Glaucoma Service is the largest tertiary referral center for glaucoma in North Carolina. Duke fellows care for patients with a wide range of pathology.  Fellows see patients in the Duke Eye Clinics and the adjacent Durham VA Hospital. The Duke glaucoma surgical experience includes in depth exposure to trabeculectomies, Ex-press shunt surgeries, Baerveldt and Ahmed implant surgeries, double-tube surgeries, endoscopic cyclodiode photocoagulation, canaloplasty, Trabectome, as well as cataract surgery with the newest refractive lens implants. Senior faculty mentoring the fellows in the clinics and operating room  include R. Rand Allingham, MD, Kelly Muir, MD, Sanjay Asrani, MD, Pratap Challa, MD, Leon Herndon, MD, Paul Lee, MD, JD, Stuart McKinnon, MD, PhD, Molly Walsh, MD, MPH, Jill Koury, MD and Henry Tseng, MD, PhD. Duke glaucoma fellows are active participants in teaching and mentoring resident trainees.

Educational Conferences

Glaucoma fellows participate in a variety of conferences hosted by the Duke Eye Center. The annual Duke Glaucoma Symposium attracts leaders in the field (photo gallery). Twice a month, the glaucoma faculty and Duke trainees participate in an interactive conference discussing major studies and innovations in the glaucoma literature.  One of the most memorable and rewarding aspects of the Duke Glaucoma Fellowship are the weekly discussions with the department Chairman.  Dr. Epstein hosts a small group discussion each Monday evening reviewing in detail the mechanisms behind the most complex cases seen in the clinics that week. (See Photos)

 

Research

Glaucoma fellows are strongly encouraged to pursue original research and are provided time to do so. Duke glaucoma faculty have research interests ranging from basic science through clinical trials and health services research.  The faculty, both clinical and research, are dedicated to mentoring the individual scientific endeavors of each fellow. The combined resources of the faculty, the Barkhouser Glaucoma Research Laboratory, and the health services programs of Duke University enable Duke glaucoma fellows to complete worthwhile projects and present their work in forums such as the annual meetings of the American Glaucoma Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and ARVO.  Many Duke fellows have received competitive grants including career development awards (K awards) from the NIH based on the work accomplished during their training.

• View a graphic depicting how our faculty cover a full spectrum of research interests.
• VISION: Glaucoma Detectives
  

Requirements

• Full North Carolina medical licensure (not a training license; international medical school graduates who do not qualify for a North Carolina Medical license cannot be offered fellowship positions) 

• We do not provide immigration sponsorship for clinical associates.
  

 

Applications

Currently applications for fellowship positions which begin July 2010, are being accepted. Completed applications must be received by September 11, 2009. Candidates are notified by early October about the interviewing process. 

 

For more information contact program coordinator Robin Goodwin at Duke Eye Center, DUMC Box 3802, Durham, NC 27710, by telephone 919-684-2975 or email at robin.goodwin@duke.edu.

The Glaucoma Fellowship Program is registered with the AUPO fellowship compliance program and meets guidelines set forth by the AUPO fellowship compliance committee.