Duke GO Fellows Blog

One of the core experiences of the global ophthalmology fellowship is learning manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICs), a cost-effective and efficient method of doing cataract surgery in resource-limited countries. This year, I spent the most incredible 2 weeks learning and performing MSICs in Myanmar under the mentorship of Nepalese surgeon Dr. Bidya Pant, one of the highest volume yet low-profiled cataract surgeons in the world.

This week I had the privilege of traveling to Skopje, North Macedonia with Dr. Lloyd Williams and Dr. Nickolas Garson to collaborate with local ophthalmologists on corneal transplantation. We brought with us seven donor corneas and completed nine transplants over the course of a week:

Wrapping up my formal ophthalmology training with a global ophthalmology fellowship was a no brainer—after all, it’s what sparked my interest in the field in the first place. Choosing the right fellowship can seem overwhelming since global ophthalmology fellowships are inherently diverse and ever changing based on social landscapes. Here are some things that drew me to Duke GO as an applicant:

Every year, I eagerly anticipate attending AAO’s Global Ophthalmology Summit. What began as an initial gathering of around 200 people in Park City, Utah in 2022 has evolved into a vibrant international community—most recently held at the 4th Global Ophthalmology Summit in Chicago. The global ophthalmology summit has always been a place of inspiration, fresh ideas, and a community that I proudly call “my people.”

This trip to Guyana marks the beginning of my global ophthalmology fellowship year with Duke University. Ever since I was a premed, I have eagerly looked forward to building a career inspired by international work. After years of medical school, residency, and fellowship, I can’t believe that this year is finally here! I look forward to an amazing year of growth, learning, and sharing.