Education and Training

Another aspect of the social responsibility assumed more than four decades ago is the contribution to the formation of human capital in our country, sharing knowledge and practices with the new generations of ophthalmologists.

Since our foundation, the Institute's facilities have served as a classroom for doctors seeking excellence in ophthalmology training. We offer:

* Specialty Program –Fellowship– in Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Offered in conjunction with Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE), this program is intended for medical doctors – national and foreign– who have completed their specialty in ophthalmology, having graduated from a residency program recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT), of more than three (3) years, who are interested in developing a theoretical and practical program that will allow them to acquire the necessary skills to successfully perform the corrective procedures for cataracts and refractive laser surgery.

Course objective: to provide the ophthalmologist with the clinical and surgical skills to perform cataract surgery, with a refractive approach, to achieve excellent visual results.

Program duration: 12 months

Program:

1) Examine patients with general ophthalmology concerns, especially those with and interest in cataract surgery and/or refractive surgery, as well as post-op cataract patients.

2) The fellow receives training in performing and interpreting the different diagnostic anterior segment tests/methods: OPD Scan III (topography/aberrometry/pupillometry); Pentacam (anterior segment tomography); Specular Microscopy; Verion (digital surgical planning system); IOL Master 700; anterior and posterior segment OCT; corneal biomechanics analysis (Corvis); AcuTarget (determines the light scattering index produced by cataracts); UBM anterior segment ultrasound; B and A/B ocular ultrasound. Diagnostic studies for the tear film include TearLab (osmolarity analysis) as well as the Keratograph K5M.

3) The fellow receives the academic program with the assigned subjects and the bibliographic information and must attend class at least once a week. Classes cover topics which must be mastered including, among others, the following principles:

a. Review of basic concepts for anterior segment surgeons: preparation of the patient, knowledge of phacodynamics and viscoelastic, correct post-surgical follow-up.

b. Selection criteria for toric intraocular lens (IOL), extended range of focus (EDOF), trifocal and trifocal toric.

c. Calculation of monofocal, monofocal plus, EDOF, trifocal and toric IOLs.

d. Calculation of IOL in patients who have undergone Lasik or Radial Keratotomy.

e. Interpretation and clinical use of ocular aberrometry analysis.

f. Selection criteria and surgical technique for keratorefractive procedures (Lasik, Femtolasik, PRK).

g. Management of intraoperative aberrometry (ORA).

h. Management of ocular surface disorders in pre-surgery patients.

i. Management of trans and postoperative complications, for cataract and keratorefractive surgery.

j. Surgical techniques in complicated cataract surgery: short or long eyes, vitrectomized eyes, endothelial damage or previous corneal pathology, etc.

k. Basic concepts of research in ophthalmology.

l. Critical discussion sessions of bibliographical review.

4) The fellow performs surgeries that allow the use of modern technology: femtosecond laser, Verion system, ORA intraoperative aberrometry system, monofocal, monofocal plus, EDOF, trifocal and toric intraocular lenses.

5) The fellow must take and pass two exams, one for each semester.

6) In order to be presented with the specialty degree by the university, the fellow must submit a research paper at the end of the training period.

An essential requirement of the program is proven mastery of the phacoemulsification technique, for which the fellow must perform at least one hundred (100) cases.

For more information about this program: https://www.unibe.edu.do/programa/subespecialidad-en-cirugia-de-catarata-y-refractiva/

You may also request more information at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

* Medical Internship Program. Every year we select recently graduated physicians, with outstanding grades, to serve a one (1) year medical internship (required by Dominican Law) at the Institute. These internships are endorsed by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MISPAS) and the cost is covered by the Institute.

* Ophthalmology Rotation. Pre-intern medical students at Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU) fulfill their ophthalmology rotation at the Institute.

* In order to contribute educate the public and raise awareness of the importance of prevention in visual health, we print brochures on different eye conditions, we acquire the rights to instructional videos and produce educational media campaigns for our patients and the general public.