Glaucoma

The Tradition:
More than 180 individuals have obtained clinical and/or research training in glaucoma at the University of California, San Diego. Many of these individuals hold distinguished academic positions and are glaucoma leaders throughout the world. Other fellows have distinguished themselves in their community in clinical practice or in industry. View our UCSD Glaucoma Fellows.

Clinical Experience:
Clinical experience consists of participation in glaucoma faculty clinics as well as independent fellows' clinics at the Shiley Eye Institute in La Jolla and at the UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest. Fellows gain surgical experience by performing independent and supervised surgery and working with faculty preceptors.

Locations:
Shiley Eye Institute

UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest and Ophthalmology Clinic

Shiley Eye Institute Operating Room and Team
The Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute operating rooms are conveniently located on the third floor of the Shiley Eye Institute building.  This allows convenient access between clinical outpatient and surgical spaces for constant and seamless patient care between the two. The OR is thoughtfully designed with a spacious waiting area and both pre- and post-op spaces conducive to efficient case turn-over as well as patient satisfaction.  Fellows should anticipate spending 1-2 days a week in the operating rooms.
Fellows have a robust surgical experience with a wide variety of surgical procedures including:
·    MIGS procedures (iStent, OMNI, Hydrus, trabectome, and XEN)
·    Cataract and glaucoma surgery
·    Trabeculectomy with and without anti-metabolite
·    Glaucoma drainage device
·    Laser diode cyclophotocoagulation (standard and micropulse)

Fellowship Education and Scholarly Activity
The fellow holds an appointment in the UCSD Department of Ophthalmology as Clinical Instructor. Fellows also are expected to actively participate in numerous didactic activities of the Glaucoma Division and the Department of Ophthalmology. The Glaucoma division has monthly journal clubs, lectures, and weekly resident/fellow teaching conferences. There also are weekly Departmental Grand Rounds presentations throughout the year. The fellow will work closely with residents assigned to the Glaucoma service.
In addition to clinical and surgical experiences, all fellows participate in clinical or translational research and will have the opportunity to present their findings at local, regional, and national meetings. Fellows also have the opportunity for involvement in ongoing innovative clinical trials.
Opening in 2003, the Hamilton Glaucoma Center is dedicated to clinical and translational glaucoma research. This 13,500 sq. ft. facility is adjacent to the Shiley Eye Institute.  Each fellow has an office on the first floor.  The first floor also has space dedicated to clinical research in glaucoma.  There, the Imaging Unit at the Hamilton Glaucoma Center is one of the most technologically sophisticated and well-equipped in the world.   The second floor has laboratories and additional office space. Our renowned translational science laboratories and faculty investigators are accessible to meet and discuss unmet needs inspired by glaucoma clinical care at UCSD that can lead to project planning and research.

Hamilton Glaucoma Center with the Clinical Research Space, Glaucoma Surgical Innovations Lab and Training Center, and Fellow Offices

Faculty Testimonials 

Environment
San Diego is known for its year-round ideal climate, averaging about 55 degrees in January to 73 degrees in August. This means that San Diego is an outdoor and sporting paradise where you can enjoy the sun, surf, mountains, deserts, and the international flavor of our city.