Fellowship details
An exciting opportunity for graduate ophthalmologists, the Retina Fellowship offers:
- Advanced training in the diagnosis and management of complicated retina cases.
- Knowledge in retina photocoagulation and intravitreal injections by the end of your training.
- Bespoke learning—split your training between clinical and research time, and medical and surgical, depending on your needs.
- Education in examination and laser, intraocular injections and other procedures necessary to provide retina vitreous care.
- Enhancement of testing analysis techniques used in diagnosis and management of complex retina cases, such as OCT and fluorescein angiography.
- A competitive salary.
There is one fellowship position available each academic year for qualified applicants.
Increasing need for specialists
Medical and surgical retina is a well-established subspecialty of ophthalmology. Diseases of the retina are multifactorial and include degenerative disease, vascular disease, acquired disease and hereditary disease. The management of retina conditions requires the expertise of a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist.
The aging demographics of the Canadian population is increasing the need for retinal subspecialists to provide necessary care. In addition, the need for retinal subspecialists has significantly increased because of improvements in treatment options which have allowed us to improve vision in previously untreatable conditions.
Rotations
- Fellows spend approximately half of their time in the office, improving and learning the examination and laser, intraocular injections, and other office procedures necessary to provide retina vitreous care.
- The rest of the fellow’s clinical time is spent in the operating room, observing and performing vitrectomies, scleral buckles and pneumoretinopexy.
- Half a day per week (or more depending on the needs of the fellow) is set aside for a research project to be completed by the end of the fellowship year, and presented at a national or international meeting and submitted for publication.
- Scholarly activity such as teaching residents and other members of the health team, presenting at grand rounds, journal club, and participating in research at an ophthalmology conference is also expected.
Training sites
- Aqua i Laser
- Misericordia Health Centre/Buhler Eye Care Centre
- Waterfront Eye Institute
- Winnipeg Clinic
Training structure
The split between clinical and research time, and medical vs surgical learning would vary somewhat, depending on the needs of the chosen fellow.
Clinical Activities
Diagnose and manage more complicated retina cases. This would include the appropriate examination techniques, medical knowledge, pharmacology knowledge, laser and surgical skills necessary to manage more difficult retina cases. As well, knowledge of the indications, and ability to accurately interpret the tests used in the diagnosis and management, such as OCT and fluorescein angiography would also be expected.
The fellow should spend approximately half of his/ her clinical time in the office, improving and learning the examination and laser, intraocular injections, and other office procedures necessary to provide retina vitreous care. The rest of the clinical time will largely be spent in the operating room, observing and performing vitrectomies, scleral buckles, and pneumoretinopexies.
Research
One day a week (or more depending on the needs of the fellow) would be set aside for a research project. The goal would be to complete this by the end of the fellowship year, and present the information at a national or international meeting. Ideally this would then be written up so that it could be submitted for publication.
Teaching
Scholarly activity such as teaching residents and other members of the health team, presenting at Grand Rounds, presenting at Journal Club, participating in research, presenting his/her research from the fellowship year at an ophthalmology conference either nationally or internationally, would be expected.
Admission and application requirements
Application deadline: October 1, 2025 of the year preceding the anticipated fellowship year. July 1 being the expected start date of the following year.
To apply for the Retina Fellowship program, you must:
- Have a medical degree from a World Health Organization-recognized university
- Successfully complete an Ophthalmology residency program
- Be eligible for an educational license from the Manitoba College of Physicians and Surgeons
- Have good communication skills, including proficiency in English
- Demonstrate good clinical skills
Selection process: Panel interviews conducted by faculty members (retina fellowship-trained) will be offered to select applicants based on the evaluation of application materials.
Please note: Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Successful candidates will undergo a three-month probationary period to assess their suitability for continued advanced training.
How to apply
Your application must include:
- Curriculum vitae/resumé
- Three recent reference letters from institutions where you trained, with contact information. Letters must be on letterhead, signed, dated, and no older than six months.
- Personal statement letter
International applicants: Must meet the IELTS requirements set by the University of Manitoba.
Submit completed applications and inquiries to:
Dana McMillan
Program Administrator
Email: dana.mcmillan@umanitoba.ca
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Contact us
Dana McMillan
Program administrator
Department of Ophthalmology
Misericordia Health Centre
Room M264, 99 Cornish Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3C 1A2