The Vitreoretinal Surgical Fellowship at OHSU Casey Eye Institute offers a comprehensive surgical and medical retina training experience compliant with the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Fellowship Compliance Committee (AUPO FCC). The program is a two-year fellowship with one new fellow accepted each year. Our goal is to provide graduating Fellows with excellent, well-rounded training in vitreoretinal diseases in a nurturing, supportive and respectful environment. 

The fellowship provides a two-year training rotation which includes extensive experience in all aspects of retina care in a high volume center, including medical and surgical retina, genetic eye diseases, uveitis, intraocular tumors (including retinoblastoma), pediatric retina (including ROP), and a Veterans Hospital medical and surgical rotation.

Clinical opportunities

The Vitreoretinal Surgical Fellowship provides a comprehensive clinical experience using the latest and most innovative techniques in the diagnosis, treatment and management of retinal diseases. Fellows will use the latest diagnostic tools available, such as in fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCTA, ultrasonography and electrophysiological testing. 

Surgical rotation starts immediately in our program, providing fellows with an average of 8-12 surgical cases per week. Extensive experience will be gained while scrubbing in on over 800 cases and being primary surgeon on more than 500 cases over the two-year fellowship.  

During the two year training period, fellows will become proficient in surgical procedures such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy/tractional and combined tractional/rhegmatogenous detachments, rhegmatogenous RD, macular surgery (ERM, VMTx, Macular hole repair), endophthalmitis (Tap & Inj, PPV), diagnostic vitrectomy, chorioretinal biopsies, viral and toxoplasmosis chorioretinitis-associated RD, intraocular foreign body/traumatic RD, pediatric/ROP surgery, implant surgery (Retisert, LADDER), gene therapy and secondary IOLs. 

Casey physicians use the most updated technology for its clinical and surgical procedures, and fellows benefit from learning BIOM, AVI, and RESIGHT viewing systems, Zeiss and Leica operating microscopes, vitrectomy with 23G, 25G and 27G systems, Constellation (Alcon) and intraoperative OCT in their practices.  

Research opportunities

Clinical research and publication is also encouraged in the fellowship program. Multiple clinical and laboratory research opportunities are available through our numerous faculty members, including participation in ongoing clinical trials and access to the National Primate Center. 

Fellows receive support and funding to present posters and presentations at national meetings (AAO, ASRS, ARVO, Retina Society). Publications in major Ophthalmic Journals (AJO, JAMA, Ophthalmology, Retina) are also strongly encouraged and supported. 

Educational opportunities

As a clinical Instructor, the fellow is an integral part of teaching in the Department of Ophthalmology. 

Fellows are responsible for organizing and presenting at the Bi-Weekly Posterior Segment Conferences and participate in quarterly Retina Journal Club activity. Bi-weekly surgical conferences are held for fellows to review surgical planning, outcomes, and techniques with Faculty. The fellow also provides instructional lectures to the residents. 

Application process

The Vitreoretinal Fellowship participates in the matching program sponsored by the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO). You may contact them regarding match information at 415-447-0350 or www.SFMATCH.org 

Fellowship program team

Fellowship Co-Director: Steven Bailey, M.D.
Fellowship Co-Director: Christina Flaxel, M.D.
Fellowship Co-Director: Merina Thomas, M.D. 

Coordinator: Denise Cardwell, 503-346-0725