Surgery is only one part of what we do at Drishti Netralaya. For decades, we have built a culture where young ophthalmologists and optometrists learn by doing, not just by watching from the sidelines.
Our fellows train under senior consultants who have performed thousands of surgeries between them. Backed by a high patient volume and structured, one-on-one mentorship, every fellow who joins us leaves with the confidence and skill to operate independently.
In 1988, our founder, Dr. Ramesh Agarwalla would travel to Aravind, Madurai for Phaco training due to lack of training facilities in the North East.
Today, Drishti is one the leading institutes in the country for SICS and Phaco cataract fellowships. We also offer an optometry internship program.
At Drishti Netralaya, we not only perform surgeries but also cultivate a culture of continuous learning and growth. With a robust surgical volume and mentorship from seasoned supervisors, our fellows gain invaluable hands-on experience, ensuring they are primed for excellence in their future endeavours.
A good fellowship should do more than fill up a certificate. Here is what fellows actually get when they train with us:
Whether you are an ophthalmologist working toward specializing in cataract surgery, or an optometry graduate looking for solid clinical exposure, there is a program here for you.
Small Incision Cataract Surgery, or SICS, is the foundation every good cataract surgeon needs before moving on to phacoemulsification. Our SICS fellowship is built almost entirely around hands-on practice, guided directly by Dr. Ramesh Agarwalla, Dr. Isha Agarwalla, and their surgical team.
| Detail | Program Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 months |
| Surgical Exposure | 75 supervised surgeries |
| Fee (Indian Nationals) | Rs. 2,00,000 |
| Fee (Foreign Nationals) | USD 4,000 |
Accommodation and food are arranged separately and are not included in the course fee.
Our Phaco fellowship focuses on modern phacoemulsification using the latest machines and instruments available today. Fellows also get direct interaction with Dr. Ramesh Agarwalla on advanced surgical approaches and where cataract care is headed next.
| Detail | Program Information |
|---|---|
| Short-Term Fee (Indian) | Rs. 2,50,000 |
| Short-Term Fee (Foreign) | USD 5,500 |
| Long-Term Program | Monthly stipend of Rs. 40,000 (no course fee) |
Accommodation and food are arranged separately and are not included in the course fee.
Our optometry internship gives B.Optom graduates real, rotational exposure across every major sub-specialty, not just refraction. Interns work across contact lenses, refractive surgery, biometry, glaucoma, orthoptics, retina diagnostics, cornea, low vision, and community ophthalmology.
By the end of the internship, you will be comfortable with patient communication, history taking, slit lamp examination, applanation tonometry, and the everyday diagnostic work that keeps a busy OPD running smoothly.
Getting started is simple. Here is what you need to do:
Email your application to academics@drishtinetralaya.in
Our academic coordinator will review your application and reach out with next steps.
Once confirmed, review the logistics and accommodation details before you travel.
For fellowship queries:
For all academic enquiries, write to:
Ujjwala joined for a three-month SICS program before continuing on as a long-term Phaco fellow. She credits Dr. Isha Agarwalla for being a patient mentor who understands the challenges every beginner faces, and says the clinical exposure and friendly work environment made her time at Drishti genuinely rewarding.
— Phaco Fellow, Lucknow
Rasika spent six months at Drishti as a clinical fellow in phacoemulsification. She points to the clarity of teaching under Dr. Isha and Dr. Ramesh Agarwalla, saying every doubt she had was addressed along the way, and that she would recommend the program to her colleagues without hesitation.
— Phaco Fellow, Pune
Divya says the sheer range of surgical cases she was exposed to during her Phaco fellowship significantly strengthened her skill set. She remains thankful to Dr. Ramesh Agarwalla and Dr. Isha Agarwalla for their patience and guidance throughout her training.
— Phaco Fellow, Jaipur