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Currently Accepting Applications for the Fellowship Programs Beginning July 1, 2024

Associates in Ophthalmology (AIO) offers a two-year surgical/clinic and a one-year medical retina fellowship in Pittsburgh, PA.

Our Vitreo-Retinal Fellowship Programs have offered comprehensive training in the surgical and medical management of Vitreo-Retinal diseases since 2008. AIO is a high volume, multi-specialty private practice and fellows will receive excellent training by engaging in busy Vitreo-Retinal clinics and a large surgical volume. Each year we have over 37,000 retina patient visits performing 24,000+ (injections/lasers) and 800+ Vitreo-Retinal surgeries. Our goal is to train outstanding Vitreo-Retinal surgeons and prepare fellows for an academic or private practice career.

Our fellowships offer comprehensive training in the surgical and medical management of Vitreo-Retinal diseases. The fellows are expected to develop independent judgment skills, as well as excellent technical skills in a patient-focused, efficient and fast paced environment. Fellows will be supervised by our Vitreo-Retinal service and will be directly involved in the evaluation of patients, interpretation of fluorescein angiography and ultrasonography, laser photocoagulation, intra-vitreal injection technique and protocol, as well as 23, 25 and 27 gauge vitrectomy surgeries. Surgeries will be performed in our practice owned outpatient ambulatory surgery center. AIO has participated in 75 national and international clinical trials and fellows will have a unique opportunity to participate and become directly involved as an investigator. There will be limited call responsibilities and fellows will not be responsible for primary hospital or trauma call.

Please refer to the SFMatch website to register for the match and read about the process for applying to Ophthalmology Fellowship Training for the upcoming academic year. Once registered, you can view our program listing on the SFMatch directory at www.sfmatch.org.

“In a city of bridges, AIO fellowship has provided me with the clinical confidence and surgical skills necessary to bridge the gap from ophthalmic training to vitreoretinal expertise.” -Remington Horesh, DO. Fellow, Class of 2021

Research

AIO has a dedicated research department with full-time clinical coordinators to assist with the management of multi-center clinical trials, as well as investigator-initiated trials.

Staff

AIO has a full staff of RNs, COTs and COAs dedicated to the care of its patients both in the clinic and operating room. All clinics are fully equipped with electronic medical records and video monitors for computerized patient education. A “scribe” system has been in place for decades to maximize efficiency in reducing documentation time and allowing our doctors more time with their patients.

Medical

The fellows will have exposure to both diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to all types of medical retinal problems. This will include macular degeneration, intraocular tumors, retinal vascular disorders, hereditary chorio-retinal degenerations and dystrophies, and uveitis. Ample opportunities will exist for the fellow to interpret and assist in the reporting of all fluorescein and ICG angiography, as well as other forms of retinal imaging such as OCT/OCT-A and ultrasonography. The fellow will perform retinal lasers including focal laser, pan-retinal photocoagulation, laser retinopexy, and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Additionally, fellows will gain extensive experience with intraocular injections of Anti-VEGF therapy, bolus steroids (intravitreal and sub-Tenon’s), and long-acting steroid implants (dexamethasone and fluocinolone). The fellows will also help organize and participate in the bi-weekly retinal imaging conference.

Ambulatory Surgery Center

Associates Surgery Centers, LLC is a private practice ambulatory surgery center with state-of-the-art equipment. The highest technology of Vitreo-Retinal instruments for 23, 25 and 27 gauge surgeries will be available to the fellow, as well as the latest model of Zeiss operating microscopes, Constellation® Vitrectomy/Laser system, and Ngenuity 3D® Visualization System with Heads-Up Display.

Surgery

The fellow will have direct involvement in the pre-operative evaluation, as well as intra-operative decision making, and be responsible for the post-operative management of all surgical patients. The diverse case mix will include all currently employed methods of Vitreo-Retinal surgery including scleral buckling surgery and pars plana vitrectomy. Vitreo-Retinal surgery fellows will become well versed in the use of intraocular gases, silicone oil, perfluorocarbon liquid tamponade, subretinal TPA injections, and learn to manage complex cases of PVR and diabetic tractional retinal detachments. They will gain experience in anterior segment combined cases utilizing the Yamane IOL scleral fixation technique. Proficiency in the management of intraocular foreign bodies, IOL-related posterior segment complications, retinal detachments with giant retinal tears, macular disorders, endophthalmitis, macular holes and epiretinal membranes will be achieved by the fellow.

Affiliated Hospitals

  • Associates Surgery Centers
  • UPMC Presbyterian
  • Western Pennsylvania Hospital
  • Wheeling Hospital

Appointments

  • Fellowship appointments run from July 1 to June 30 over a one to two-year period
  • Two-week Ocular Oncology rotation at Will’s Eye Hospital (Year 1)
  • A library and references including current journals will be available

Fellow Benefits

Vacation: Two weeks per year plus one additional week for conferences Salary:

$100,000 (Year 1) and $110,000 (Year 2)

Insurance: Medical/Dental;

Malpractice Misc: Cell phone provided

Fellow Responsibilites

Clinical:

  • Independent Patient Care/Fellow Clinic
  • Acquire Clinical/Medical Retinal Skills in attending

clinics OR/Surgical:

  • Assist attendings in OR, with surgical responsibility granted as a fellow’s skills progressively develop
  • Block Time (Year 2)
  • Follow all post-op patients

Research:

  • Help manage multiple national multi-center clinical trials
  • Help design and manage IST’s
  • One publication in peer reviewed journal
  • Two publications in trade journals

Conferences

Internal Conferences:

  • Surgical Video Morbidity and Mortality
  • Imaging Medical Retina
  • Journal Club

National Conferences:

  • ASRS (Year 1)
  • AAO (Year 2)
  • Fellows are encouraged to present and a stipend will be provided

Vitreo-Retinal Service

Fellowship Alumni

  • Remington Horesh, DO : 2019 – 2021
  • Bilal Yousufzai, MD : 2017 – 2019
  • Tailun Zhao, MD : 2016 – 2018
  • Betsy Colon-Acevedo, MD : 2015 – 2017
  • Matthew Pomykala, DO : 2014 – 2016
  • Christopher Seebruck, MD : 2013 – 2015
  • David Rabady, MD : 2012 – 2014
  • Gabriel Benitez, MD : 2011 – 2013
  • Laxmi Devisetty, MD : 2010 – 2012
  • Alberto Guardiola, MD : 2008 – 2010

The practices of OCLI Vision offer eye care services at locations throughout Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia and specialize in primary vision care, LASIK, cataract surgery, glaucoma, diabetic eye care, and other services for patients in the Northeast. These locations include practice locations of OCLI Vision as well as the practice locations of other vision services providers and ambulatory surgery centers supported by the administrative services of Spectrum Vision Partners. Each location is identified by the vision service provider or company operating at the location.

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