Program Description
The University of Pittsburgh Uveitis and Medical Retina Fellowship is a one-year Clinical Fellowship encompassing all aspects of Uveitis and Medical Retina.
This comprehensive fellowship provides advanced training in Medical Retina and Uveitis, preparing Fellows for success in academic medicine or private practice. The program focuses on managing inflammatory ocular conditions and adult/pediatric medically oriented retinal diseases.
The Fellowship offers extensive experience in multimodal imaging interpretation, clinical trials, and state-of-the-art therapeutic approaches. Fellows benefit from a balanced exposure to both Medical Retina and Uveitis, with opportunities for surgical training in cataract surgery if desired. The program's strength lies in its comprehensive approach to complex cases, robust research opportunities, and strong mentorship from experienced faculty. During this Fellowship, Fellows work closely with faculty in the clinics (and operating room, if desired) and learn to provide up-to-date care utilizing the most recent results of clinical trials. In the Medical Retina and Uveitis clinics, expertise is developed in the diagnosis and management of retinal vascular diseases, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, retinal inflammatory diseases, and inherited retinal dystrophies, with a brief exposure to retinal oncology. In the field of uveitis, extensive experience is gained in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory ocular conditions, as well as immunosuppressive therapy expertise.
The Fellows will participate in performing procedures as laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, and pharmacologic therapy. In regard to surgical exposure (if interested), the Fellow will participate in performing procedures as complex uveitic cataract surgery, limited retina cases, including vitreous biopsy by PPV, leading to limited surgical privileges based on the Fellow's interest.
The University of Pittsburgh is a major trial center, and the Fellows will gain experience in the principles and methods of clinical research. Under the mentorship of Drs. Andrew Eller, Joseph Martel, Marie-Helene Errera, and José-Alain Sahel, the Fellowship offers comprehensive training in the medical management of a wide variety of vitreoretinal diseases, including retinal vascular disease, macular disease, intraocular tumors, posterior uveitis, and pediatric retinal disorders. In the fields of uveitis, the Fellowship will provide training: 1) that will equip the Fellows to regularly perform evaluations, including history and examination of adults and pediatrics patients with uveitis and other ocular inflammatory disorders; 2) to understand the indications for and the evaluation of results of diagnostic techniques (fluorescein angiography, ICG, ultrasonography, optical coherence tomography (OCT and OCTA), perimetry, electro-diagnostic studies, and radiologic studies) in uveitis and other ocular inflammatory disorders; 3) to provide knowledgeable about the indications for, use of pharmacological, and surgical therapies that may be recommended for patients with ocular inflammatory disorders. These therapies include the use of topical and regional corticosteroids (e.g., periocular and intraocular injections), oral corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Through progressively increasing participation, the Fellow will gain autonomy in clinical decision-making and treatment. The majority of time is spent in the Retina and Uveitis Service of the University of Pittsburgh. The rotation may also be partly spent at the neighboring Veterans Administration Hospital and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (Pediatrics Retina and Uveitis Clinic). The active teaching program includes regular lectures, Grand Rounds, research conferences, journal clubs, and departmental and regional fluorescein conferences. Presentation of original research at national conferences will be encouraged and supported. In addition, the Fellows participate in teaching conferences and relevant clinical and /or research projects for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Core Faculty
José-Alain Sahel, MD
Distinguished Professor and Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Exceptional Class Professor at Sorbonne Université, Paris
The Eye and Ear Foundation Endowed Chair
Joseph N. Martel, MD
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Co-Division Chief, Retina and Vitreous Services
Vice Chair, Patient Experience and Access
Director, Retina Fellowship Program
Marie Hélène Errera, MD, PhD
Retina and Uveitis Service
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Boris Rosin, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Jay Chhablani, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology
Vice Chair, Clinical Trials
Director, Clinical Research at the UPMC Vision Institute