Opthalmology Residency Programme

The Opthamology Residency Programme was commenced on November 1, 1999. The programme is fully accredited by the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan. The programme has seven full-time faculty members and two part-time consultants. Currently the programme offers training in virtually all subspecialty areas of modern ophthalmology.  

Objectives

The Ophthalmology Residency at AKU provides a structured four-year training in General Ophthalmology and prepares the candidates to take the FCPS Part II Examination in Ophthalmology. It aims at producing academically qualified and clinically competent professionals who are current in knowledge, clinical practice and surgical skills. The training also incorporates extensive exposure to subspecialties, including medical and surgical retina, neuro-ophthalmology, paediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma, uveitis, cornea and external eye diseases and refractive surgery. All necessary state-of-the-art modern equipment with teaching aids is available in the department.

Duration of training

The Ophthalmology Residency is a four-year programme.

Eligibility

• MBBS or equivalent degree approved by the PM&DC
• One year internship with six months in Medicine and allied and six months in Surgery and allied disciplines
• FCPS Part I
• Previous experience in allied specialties, e.g. Plastic Surgery, Neurosurgery is preferred

The final selection is based on MCQs test scores and interviews.

Scope and content

Clinical training

During the course of the programme, the candidate is exposed to increasing responsibilities in the management of the patients with eye diseases under the supervision of highly qualified and experienced ophthalmologists.

Year 1

There is an emphasis on obtaining thorough basic science knowledge of ophthalmology and ability to take a sound history and do a clinical examination. The resident actively participates in clinical meetings, grand rounds and journal clubs.

Year 2

The resident develops in-depth knowledge of etiology, embryology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation (signs and symptoms), diagnostic tests, management (medical and surgical) and preventive approaches in areas of common eye problems. He/she learns to perform minor surgical and simple laser procedures and get exposure to routine surgical cases by assisting in the operating room.

Year 3

The resident is assigned to increasing patient care responsibilities and acquires operating room experience at AKUH and outreach day care centres. The resident acquires knowledge of more complex eye diseases and is able to manage trauma cases and complications arising from surgical procedures.

The resident develops surgical skills by supervised hands-on training and is able to perform routine cataract and glaucoma surgery and simple lid surgery.

Year 4

The chief resident demonstrates clear concepts regarding pathology, medical and surgical management of eye diseases.

The resident develops further skills for major surgeries, including cataract, glaucoma, squint and lacrimal surgery.

The resident is able to access high-quality reference and develop an aptitude for life-long learning. The resident is expected to take the final fellowship examination during Year 4.

Didactic session

Lectures are scheduled weekly for teaching basic and clinical sciences throughout the academic year. Case presentations, morbidity meetings, audit and journal club activities are held weekly.

Evaluation

Clinical performance is continuously evaluated with a written MCQ assessment test conducted bi-annually, based on the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) clinical manuals (manuals are provided by the department).

On-call duties

Each resident will be on-call one out of ten nights. Call and clinical duties are shared between residents and medical officers. Cross-over cover for annual leave is mandatory.

Positions available

Two resident positions are available.

Administrative set-up

The resident rotates under nine different consultant ophthalmologists. Clinical training is provided at four different clinical sites, the AKUH, Karachi main hospital, AKU Diagnostic Centre, Karimabad, AKU Clifton Medical Services and the Adamjee Eye Hospital. The Senior Resident is responsible for organising on-call rota. The programme is coordinated by Dr Mahnaz Naveed Shah, Assistant Professor.

Full-time Faculty

Associate Professor

Dr Azam Ali
MBBS AKU; FRCO, FRCS Edinburgh and Glasgow
Programme Director

Dr Tanveer Anjum Chaudhry
MBBS Karachi; DO Dublin; MRCO London; FRCS Edinburgh

Assistant Professor

Dr Mahnaz Naveed Shah
MD Baylor College of Medicine USA; FAAO USA
Diplomate American Board of Ophthalmology
Programme Coordinator

Senior Instructors

Dr Khabir Ahmed
MBBS Peshawar, MSc, PICO Peshawar; MSc EB AKU

Dr Rashid Baig
MBBS; FCPS

Dr Shaukat Chipa
MBBS; FCPS

Dr Sharmeen Akram
MBBS AKU; FCPS

Part-time Faculty

Lecturer

Dr P. S. Mahar
MBBS Jamshoro; FRCS Dublin; DO, FRCO London

Dr A. B. Maqsood
MBBS Karachi; DO, FRCS Glasgow; FRCO London