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Patient education

Why Fellowship Training Matters

In Redwood City and the Peninsula

Home  /  Dr. Philip Ngai  /  Why fellowship training matters

What fellowship training is, how it differs from residency training, and how general and subspecialty eye doctors work together for your care.

Request an appointmentCall (650) 839-2020
Redwood trees on the Peninsula
The short answer

Every ophthalmologist is a highly trained eye physician and surgeon

All ophthalmologists complete medical school, a year of internship and three years of ophthalmology residency. Residency trains them to diagnose and treat the full range of eye disease, including cataract surgery and the medical and laser treatment of glaucoma.

Some ophthalmologists then choose an optional fellowship: usually one to two more years focused on a single area, such as glaucoma, cornea, retina or pediatric eye care. Fellowship does not replace residency. It adds depth in one subspecialty, while comprehensive ophthalmologists bring breadth across the whole eye. Both are valuable, and patients are often best served when the two work together.

The training path

How eye physicians are trained

Medical school

Four years to earn a medical degree (MD or DO).

Internship

One year of general medical training in a hospital.

Ophthalmology residency

Three years of hands on training in medical and surgical eye care, followed by board certification.

Fellowship (optional)

Usually one to two years of focused training in one subspecialty, such as glaucoma.

Comprehensive ophthalmologists

Comprehensive ophthalmologists care for the whole eye and see the widest variety of conditions.

  • Routine and medical eye exams
  • Cataract surgery
  • Diagnosing and treating glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, dry eye and many other conditions
  • Coordinating care and referring to a subspecialist when extra expertise helps

Fellowship-trained subspecialists

Fellowship-trained subspecialists spend extra years concentrating on one part of the eye or one group of diseases.

  • Large volume of complex and advanced cases in that area
  • Training in advanced and newer procedures for that subspecialty
  • Experience with uncommon forms of disease
  • Often involved in teaching or research in that field

What glaucoma fellowship training adds

Glaucoma fellows spend their fellowship focused on diagnosing and treating glaucoma, from early disease through the most advanced cases. Training typically includes interpreting detailed optic nerve and visual field testing, managing glaucoma that is hard to control, and performing the full range of glaucoma procedures, including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), trabeculectomy and tube shunts.

Dr. Philip Ngai completed his glaucoma fellowship at the Hamilton Glaucoma Center at the Shiley Eye Institute, UC San Diego.

When a subspecialist may help

Many patients with glaucoma or cataracts are cared for very well by a comprehensive ophthalmologist. A subspecialist may be helpful when:

  • Glaucoma is advanced, or keeps progressing despite treatment
  • Eye pressure is hard to control with drops or laser
  • Surgery is being considered beyond standard treatment
  • Cataract and glaucoma need to be treated together
  • The diagnosis is unusual or uncertain

If you are unsure, your eye doctor can help you decide whether a subspecialty opinion makes sense for you.

Next step

Take the next step. It’s easy.

Keep learning

Related care to consider

Glaucoma careDiagnosis, drops, laser and surgery.MIGSMinimally invasive glaucoma surgery.Cataract surgerySmall incision, sutureless cataract surgery.Our doctorsMeet the doctors who will care for you.Contact and locationHours, directions and appointment requests.
Questions

Fellowship training FAQs

Is a fellowship-trained doctor better than one without a fellowship?

Not in general. Every board-certified ophthalmologist is trained to provide excellent medical and surgical eye care. A fellowship adds extra depth in one area, which matters most for complex or advanced cases in that area.

How long is a glaucoma fellowship?

Most glaucoma fellowships last one year, after the three years of ophthalmology residency.

Do I need a glaucoma specialist if I have glaucoma?

Not always. Many people with glaucoma are managed well by a comprehensive ophthalmologist or optometrist. A glaucoma specialist is often involved when glaucoma is advanced, progressing or needs surgery.

How do comprehensive and fellowship-trained doctors work together?

They often share care. A comprehensive eye doctor may follow you for routine care and refer you to a subspecialist for a specific problem or procedure, then continue your care afterward.

Start seeing better today

Let’s take care of your eyes

Call, text or request an appointment online. We verify your insurance before your visit.

Request an appointmentCall (650) 839-2020

162 Clinton Street, Redwood City, CA 94062  ยท  Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

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