Glaucoma Fellowship Program

The Glaucoma Fellowship Program at the Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine and Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston is a one-year clinical program blending clinical training, academic activities and research opportunities.

The fellow receives extensive hands-on training in the medical and surgical management of the glaucomas, and participates in anterior segment laser procedures and external and endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation. The fellow takes part in surgical procedures such as trabeculectomy (with and without antimetabolites), non-penetrating deep sclerectomy, combined cataract and filtration surgery, and glaucoma implants. Interpretation of pachymetry, visual fields, retinal nerve fiber layer and optic nerve head analysis, ultrasound biomicroscopy and psychophysical testing are all components of the training program.

The fellow is expected to develop independent judgment and technical skills in an environment devoted to excellence in patient care. The fellow also works closely with residents and medical students, with ample opportunity for teaching.

Patient Evaluation

The evaluation of glaucoma patients is the single most important aspect of their initial care. The fellow has exposure to more specialized examinations, such as Koeppe and compression goniscopy, tonography, automated and manual perimetry, and stereo disc photography, optical coherence tomography, Heidelberg retinal tomography, mfERG and mfVEP and ultrasound biomicroscopy. Discussion sessions emphasize the pathophysiology underlying the disease processes seen in the patients over the course of the day.

Surgery

The fellow is actively involved in trabeculectomy surgery, glaucoma drainage implants, and bleb revisions and becomes familiar with laser suture lysis techniques, releasable sutures, antimetabolite therapy (5-fluorouracil, mitomycin C, etc.), releasable sutures, and other post-operative adjunctive therapies.  Non-penetrating deep sclerectomy surgery with multiple approaches to Schlemm’s canal will also be part of the training.  The fellow will also gain experience with complex cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation in glaucoma patients, as well as combined cataract and filtration surgery. There will be opportunity to participate in the evaluation and management of pediatric glaucomas.  Active hands-on surgery by the fellow starts with the beginning of the fellowship and progresses to primary surgeon

Laser

The fellow gains experience with all types of clinical anterior segment lasers, including argon, Nd:YAG, Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty,  and diode cyclophotocoagulation.

Research

There is a fundamental belief in the concepts of the clinician-researcher and the inquisitive physician. The fellowship year is a time for clinical and/or laboratory research, and the fellow is expected to complete a project during the year.  A wide variety of research opportunities exist, with a special emphasis on studies of nerve fiber layer analysis, glaucoma genetics, ocular physiology and pharmacology and laser-tissue interactions, both in patients and in the laboratory.   One of the largest databases for surgical results in patients with cataracts and glaucoma is available for clinical research.

Affiliated Hospitals

The New England Eye Center offers a private practice setting for both general and subspecialty Ophthalmology within the Tufts Medical Center in downtown Boston.

Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston (OCB) is a large, multi-subspecialty Ophthalmology private practice in downtown Boston with surgery at the Boston Eye Surgery and Laser Center and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

There may be additional short-term rotations in other hospitals. Use of these facilities provides the fellow with a wide variety of experience with special patient populations and settings.

Staff

Cynthia Mattox, MD
Dr. Mattox completed her residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School and her glaucoma fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary. She is Vice Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology, and the Director of the New England Eye Center at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center. Her special interests include surgical management of glaucoma and secondary glaucomas.

Chandru Krishnan, MD
Dr. Krishnan completed his residency at New England Eye Center and his glaucoma fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital. His special interests are in all areas of medical and surgical managemnt of Glaucoma, as well as management of cataracts and external disease.

Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston

A. Robert Bellows, MD
Dr. Bellows completed his residency at Yale University School of Medicine and his glaucoma fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary. His special interests include glaucoma filtering surgery, ciliary body ablation, drainage implants for glaucoma, and the evaluation and management of episcleral venous pressure problems.

B. Thomas Hutchinson, MD
Dr. Hutchinson completed his residency and fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary and specializes in glaucoma, cataract, diseases and surgery of the anterior segment.

Claudia U. Richter, MD
Dr. Richter completed her residency and glaucoma fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary. Her special interests include the natural history of pigmentary glaucoma, lasers in the treatment of glaucoma and complications of glaucoma.

Bradford J. Shingleton, MD
Dr. Shingleton completed his residency and glaucoma fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary. His special interests include cataract implant and refractive surgery and surgical treatment of co-existing cataract and glaucoma.

Laura Fine, MD
Dr. Fine completed her residency in ophthalmology at The University of California, San Francisco and her glaucoma fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.   Dr. Fine specializes in glaucoma, cataract and disease and surgery of the anterior segment.

James Hung, MD
Dr. Hung completed his residency in ophthalmology Georgetown University Hospital and a glaucoma fellowship at Tufts/Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston. His interests include medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma, cataracts and diseases of the anterior segment.

Appointment

Application

Deadline for application completion is September 30 of the year prior to beginning of fellowship. The following must reach our files before your application will be considered:

•	USMLE Documentation - Parts I, II, III (For this position you must be eligible for an unrestricted Massachusetts medical license at application.)
•	A completed application form To open and print this form, you are required to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.
•	Three letters of recommendation
•	An updated curriculum vitae
•	A self-addressed postcard and two self-addressed mailing labels
•	A 1-2 page Statement of Purpose, indicating what you hope to gain from your fellowship and your long range career goals.
•	A recent passport-sized photograph

Please send application materials to:

Director, Glaucoma Fellowship Program
New England Eye Center
Tufts University School of Medicine
800 Washington Street #450
Boston, MA 02111

Telephone: 617-636-4648
Fax: 617-636-4866

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all materials are received prior to the deadline.

Education