The Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Fellowship is a one-year AUPO compliant clinical and surgical fellowship which includes all aspects of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus. If desired, fellows can elect to participate in our optional cataract/comprehensive focus or global ophthalmology focus programs.
This is a broad-based pediatric ophthalmology fellowship training program that includes extensive exposure to: pediatric and adult strabismus, ROP screening and treatment, ptosis surgery, nasolacrimal duct surgery and pediatric anterior segment surgery. Our faulty are particularly interested in customizing the fellowship to meet the interests and needs of each unique fellow. All fellows will have dedicated fellow clinic time with on-site faculty support. The fellow will also work with experienced orthoptists, particularly in adult strabismus clinics.
Cataract/comprehensive focus
In this optional tract, fellows are provided with consistent time to operate with experienced adult cataract surgeons to gain anterior segment surgery experience and maintain adult cataract surgery skills while in fellowship. This focus would comprise approximately 10-20% of the fellow’s time.
Global ophthalmology focus
In this optional tract, fellows will participate in 2-4 fully funded international mission trips during the fellowship year. The fellow will fully participate in clinic and in the operating room on these trips and collaborate with outstanding local pediatric ophthalmologists. A global health certification is also available from Wake Forest University, if desired. All trips are fully supervised by Wake Forest pediatric ophthalmology faculty. This focus would comprise approximately 10-20% of the fellow’s time (and is a lot of fun!).
Program overview
Wake Forest University School of Medicine is the academic hub of Advocate Health, the third largest health system in the United States. As such, the division of pediatric ophthalmology has unique access to an extremely large referral network of complex pediatric and adult strabismus patients, research opportunities, Western North Carolina’s only Children’s hospital and world class facilities. Notably, a freestanding 165,000 square Eye Institute is currently under construction and is slated to open in late 2026.
The fellow will work with an experienced and stable group of three pediatric ophthalmologists and two orthoptists, with over 70 years of combined experience in the field. We are excited to tailor our fellowship to the unique interests of our fellows. Depending on this interest, fellows can expect to be involved in over 300 surgeries and be the primary surgeon for most of them.
The fellow will actively participate in the teaching and supervision of residents. Attendance at the AAPOS annual meeting and the creation/presentation of one research project is expected during the year. This is a funded opportunity. The faculty will mentor the fellow though this process and dedicated research/administration time is part of the fellow’s weekly schedule.
This fellowship position is open to graduates of American ophthalmology residency programs. Applications are accepted though SF match. For more information contact Jagger Koener, MD
