Do you need to attend a top residency to match retina fellowship?

[Anakinmemer]

Hi all,
I am a medical student planning on applying to ophthalmology in August 2023. The thing is, I realized I was interested in it late and am in all likelihood going to be applying with a low tier application (unimpressive clinical grades, low amount of research). The only saving grace I have is that I attend a top 10 medical school who says they haven't failed to match anyone into ophtho in the last 10 years. I'm going to try and get as much research as I can, but given the time it takes for irb approvals and revisions etc I don't know how many actual publications I'll have by the time I apply. The point is I don't think I have a chance at matching at a "prestigious" residency since there are many applicants who started research year 1 and received far more honors than me clinical year. Would attending a middle or low tier residency program limit me from matching into a competitive fellowship like retina or plastics?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[MstaKing10]

No. But you are putting the cart before the horse. Get into the best residency you can then take it from there. Good luck with your application.

 

[RetinaDude]

Just get into an ophthalmology residency first…..it’s competitive…..and then you’ll have no problem finding a retina fellowship. And for me personally, I could care less if you trained at Bascom Palmer or Columbia. I want someone who will work hard, has good surgical skills and decision making, and knows how to form a differential and can work from it to treat the pt correctly. These skills can be gained at almost all the long standing retina fellowships

 

[martianmonster]

Get into a residency, regardless of prestige, preferably with a retina chairmen or a well known retina surgeon. Assuming you work your butt off and impress this person a strong retina fellowship will consider you based off how much they trust this retina faculty member's recommendation of you. Good fellowships want good fellows and many of them are happy to look beyond the name of your residency.

 

[i-doctor]

Retina fellowships overall are less competitive than in the past. Shouldn’t be a problem.

 

[idkididk]

Retina fellowships overall are less competitive than in the past. Shouldn’t be a problem.

As an interested PGY3 who's weak on research, I'm glad to hear this.. but why do you think this is the case?

 

[i-doctor]

Retina isn’t as financially lucrative vs. cataract/general any more. At one time retinal surgeons made a lot more than the general or anterior segment surgeons. But with decreasing retina reimbursement and increased revenue potential for cataract surgeons (Premium IOL’s), it’s much more even now than before.

 

[Eyes On Eyecare]

Hopefully, these resources will help you when that time comes.
The Ultimate Guide to Ophthalmology Residency with Free eBook
The Ultimate Guide to Retina Fellowship for Ophthalmologists

 

[Baller2016]

Could be covid or what not/declining reimbursement but last few years there’s been a plethora of open spots after match

We can see how this year goes but generally if you love retina and want to do it, you can do it!

 

[RetinaDude]

Retina isn’t as financially lucrative vs. cataract/general any more. At one time retinal surgeons made a lot more than the general or anterior segment surgeons. But with decreasing retina reimbursement and increased revenue potential for cataract surgeons (Premium IOL’s), it’s much more even now than before.

As a practicing retina surgeon, I find this info intriguing

 

[i-doctor]

As a practicing retina surgeon, I find this info intriguing

In our large group practice, our top 2 anterior segment/cataract surgeons make more than our 2 retina surgeons. All work full time. (ASC income not included)

 

[RetinaDude]

In our large group practice, our top 2 anterior segment/cataract surgeons make more than our 2 retina surgeons. All work full time. (ASC income not included)

That’s not unusual in a mixed practice. In that situation, the retina docs are at the mercy of the (generally) higher overhead of cataract/anterior segment surgeons. Also, retina docs in a mixed practice tend to see less pathology wise than retina in a pure retina practice. Of course, there are rules to the exception but this is usually the case.

Now, take retina docs who are in a single specialty retina only group and I’m betting you’d find a lot of retina docs making a lot more money than most anterior segment surgeons could ever think about.

 

[i-doctor]

That’s not unusual in a mixed practice. In that situation, the retina docs are at the mercy of the (generally) higher overhead of cataract/anterior segment surgeons. Also, retina docs in a mixed practice tend to see less pathology wise than retina in a pure retina practice. Of course, there are rules to the exception but this is usually the case.

Now, take retina docs who are in a single specialty retina only group and I’m betting you’d find a lot of retina docs making a lot more money than most anterior segment surgeons could ever think about.

yes no doubt!

 

[PLA2]

That’s not unusual in a mixed practice. In that situation, the retina docs are at the mercy of the (generally) higher overhead of cataract/anterior segment surgeons. Also, retina docs in a mixed practice tend to see less pathology wise than retina in a pure retina practice. Of course, there are rules to the exception but this is usually the case.

Now, take retina docs who are in a single specialty retina only group and I’m betting you’d find a lot of retina docs making a lot more money than most anterior segment surgeons could ever think about.

I know several cataract surgeons making 3M+ with premium IOLs. Are retina surgeons able to generate this revenue?

 

[Baller2016]

LOL okay this has turned into a who makes more feud. Not the point.

OP - you can match retina in whatever residency you end up. Just be a good resident, show interest, network and research if able.

 

[RetinaDude]

I know several cataract surgeons making 3M+ with premium IOLs. Are retina surgeons able to generate this revenue?

Maybe not $3M but close. For anterior segment surgeons, those kind of numbers are the exception, and not the rule

 

[RetinaDude]

LOL okay this has turned into a who makes more feud. Not the point.

OP - you can match retina in whatever residency you end up. Just be a good resident, show interest, network and research if able.

Very true, and I’m sorry. Back to your regularly scheduled program

 

[Openglobetrotters]

you have a chance at a top retina program wherever you go, but I believe you have higher chance if you attend some of top residency programs compared to a “low tier” program.

In regards to compensation, I would say retina in general as a sub speciality makes more than other sub specialist as a whole.