About the Program
The flagship Vitreoretinal Service of the Department of
Ophthalmology presently offers two surgical fellowship positions per year.
These begin in July of each year and run for 24 months. One medical retina
fellowship position and combined two-year medical retina/research fellowships
are also available—for inquiries please contact Dr. H. Culver Boldt. The description
below describes the vitreoretinal fellowship.
During the first year the fellows spend a majority of their
time in the Retina Clinic. The fellows evaluate and treat a number of medical
retinal diseases, performing most of the laser photocoagulation, intravitreal
injections, and cryopexy treatments. The first year retina fellows do not take
call for the first six months of fellowship. The last six months of the 1st
year, the fellows occasionally operate (typically for scleral buckle,
vitrectomy, and plaque procedures) and take retina call every other week. Any
available remaining time is devoted to clinical or laboratory research, and
conference preparation and teaching.
The second year has a surgical emphasis. As a major tertiary
referral institution for Iowa and the surrounding 7 states, the fellow acquires
extensive diagnostic and surgical experience in the management of simple and
complex vitreoretinal disorders. Vitreoretinal surgery is performed in both the
main OR and ASC of the University of Iowa Hospital.
Our Vitreoretinal Fellowship is AUPO FCC approved.