University of Rochester Eye Institute
Cornea Fellowship Program
About the Program
Dr. James Aquavella initiated the Cornea Fellowship Program in 1974. The program continued under his direction until 2000, when Dr. Steven S.T. Ching became program director. Since its inception 45 clinical fellows and 30 research fellows have been trained. Graduates are located throughout the United States as well as South America, Japan, China, Egypt, England, Israel, South Africa, Korea, Germany and India.
The University of Rochester Eye Institute offers both clinical and research programs. We seek committed candidates who intend to pursue academic careers. Programs can be structured to accommodate specific research interests or projects. Clinical fellowships are of one-year duration, unless extended by mutual agreement. A stipend is available. All candidates must have a New York State license to be eligible.
Apply to the programTo Apply to the Program, please |
Faculty include Dr. Steven S.T. Ching, Dr. Scott MacRae, Dr. Ronald Plotnik, and Dr. James Aquavella. The Rochester Eye Institute coordinates research faculty with the Center for Visual Science and the Institute of Optics. The ability to participate in the various research conferences and meetings constitutes a unique opportunity to become familiar with the individuals and ideas that will define the future of vision protection and correction.
Dr. MacRae and his refractive surgery team perform a high volume of procedures, and have been instrumental in the development of wave front technology and customized ablation. In collaboration with basic scientist, Dr. David Williams of the Center for Visual Science, and the Institute of Optics, advanced research on corneal biomechanics and adaptive optics is being conducted. Both Drs. MacRae and Williams with industry developing new technology in refractive surgery and performing clinical trials on microkeratomes, excimer lasers and diagnostic wavefront technology. Their expertise and innovation are recognized worldwide.
Our cornea specialists:Clinical Trials:Research: |
Our Cornea Service is a anterior segment, corneal and external disease referral center for western New York, northern Pennsylvania, and southern Ontario (Canada). Over 150 penetrating grafts are performed each year. The Eye institute is a center of excellence for the evaluation of keratoprosthesis and deep lamellar keratoplasty. Fellows and faculty routinely employ tissue adhesives, amniotic membranes, collagen shields, bandage lenses, PTK and a variety of standard and new techniques.
Clinical fellows function as instructors in the residency program and are intimately involved in educational activities of the Institute. Each fellow is expected to complete a defined research project, leading to publication as well as participate in ongoing projects. Fellows are sponsored to attend any meeting in which a presentation has been accepted.
We maintain an affiliation with the L. V. Prasad Institute in Hyderabad India, where fellows are offered the opportunity to spend a one-month rotation.
Research fellowships can be structured for periods of several months to three years. Non-US citizens must have the appropriate visa and immigration clearances. A medical license is not required for this program. Depending on the availibity of funding a stipend may be provided. Sponsorship is frequently provided by the applicant’s medical school, ophthalmology department, or hospital. Fellows in this program work under the supervision of a senior faculty member and are assigned to a specific project. As time allows they are invited to participate as observers in clinical activities, and have free access to all research and clinical meetings and educational functions. They are sponsored to attend any meeting in which their work has been accepted for presentation. On occasion research and clinical programs can be sequenced or combined.