Vitreo-Retina Fellowship

Lawrence S. Morse, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Ophthalmology
Vitreo-Retinal Fellowship Director of Retina Service

Susanna S. Park, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Vitreo-Retina Diseases

David G. Telander, M.D., Ph.D. 
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Vitreo-Retinal Diseases

The UC Davis Vitreo-Retina Surgical Fellowship has 21-year tradition of training excellent retinal specialists in practice in both academic and private practice around the world. The culture and design of the program is meant to train fellows to become capable and experienced surgeons and clinicians. Moreover, there is a wealth of basic science and clinical research opportunities available that complements each fellow’s training whether they go into private or academic practice. Currently this is a 2 year fellowship with one fellow matching each year. Every fellow will work with our three full-time clinical retina faculty members here on the UC Davis Sacramento Campus, and one additional retina faculty during their time at the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

The two year fellowship will provide an in-depth training in a broad variety of vitreoretinal surgeries and laser techniques. Fellows will operate with 4 different vitreo-retinal surgeons and will learn and perform surgeries for a wide variety of retinal problems.. The surgical cases are representative of typical university and VA practices, emphasizing retinal detachment repair of complex retinal detachments including anterior and posterior proliferative vitreoretinopathy, complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy including tractional retinal detachment, primary and secondary scleral buckling procedures, submacular surgery for removal of subretinal hemorrhages and subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes, posterior segment trauma, scleral buckling and vitrectomy surgery for retinopathy of prematurity, and diagnostic and therapeutic vitrectomies for complex uveitis and endophthalmitis. Laser photocoagulation for peripheral and macular retinopathies including stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity and photodynamic therapy are performed in abundance.. In addition, a growing oncology service provides training in diagnostic and medical and surgical management of intraocular tumors including melanoma and retinoblastoma. The fellowship training also includes exposure to medical and pediatric retinal disorders including inherited retinal diseases and retinopathy of prematurity, Intravitreal injections of pharmaceutical agents are given for a variety of retinal pathologies and clinical trials

Both medical and surgical management of vitreoretinal diseases are emphasized through direct interaction in clinical and surgical situations. A weekly fluorescein angiogram conference will also provide didactic discussions. An update on research activities and review of retina literature will be discussed at a weekly retina service conference. We have a broad mix of patients, both private and medically indigent, which provides for a balanced vitreoretinal fellowship experience. Several clinical trials are also being conducted to provide insight into conducting clinical research.