Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship

Overview

The Neuro-Ophthalmology Fellowship Program educates three clinical neuro-ophthalmology fellows per academic year, with the goal of providing unparalleled training in clinical neuro-ophthalmology, as well as providing mentorship and support for developing a career in academic medicine. The fellows learn from a diverse faculty as they rotate through the Neuro-Ophthalmology services at Mass Eye and Ear, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Mass General Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Clinical experiences are structured to provide a varied exposure to common and rare neuro-ophthalmic conditions. Starting in 2025, approximately 15-20% of fellowship clinical time is spent in pediatric neuro-ophthalmology. We also provide ~20% protected time for fellows to conduct clinical research, with the expectation that they will publish their work by the end of their year of fellowship.

A robust set of lectures and conferences for fellows complements the diverse set of clinical experiences. During the first 4 weeks, fellows participate in a didactic series of lectures to prepare them on must-know topics. Core conferences for the remainder of the year include the Management Conference (~2-3 times per month), Resident Teaching Conference (weekly), hot-topic or landmark journal article discussion (monthly), and research talks, which also feature some faculty from outside of neuro-ophthalmology faculty.

History

The Neuro-Ophthalmology Service was founded by the world-renowned pathologist and neuro-ophthalmologist Dr. David Cogan in the 1950s. Since then, it has been continued to be led by international leaders in neuro-ophthalmology, including Drs. Simmons Lessell and Joseph Rizzo III, who have grown it into one of the largest Neuro-ophthalmology services in the world. Our faculty include clinician scientists across several Harvard Ophthalmology affiliates, including Mass Eye and Ear, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Mass General Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and they have varied research and surgical interests.

Rotation Schedule

Below is an approximate schedule for academic year 25-26.

*Abbreviations: MEE: Mass Eye and Ear; BCH: Boston Children's Hospital; MGH: Mass General Hospital; BIDMC: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Highlights

• Fellowship Program Director: Robert M. Mallery, MD
• Associate Fellowship Program Director: Tais Estrela, MD
• Neuro-Ophthalmology Service Director: Joseph F. Rizzo III, MD
  Program length: 1 year (beginning in July)
• Number of positions: 3
• Additional faculty: Bardia Abbasi, MD; Marc Bouffard, MD; Dean Cestari, MD; Bart Chwalisz, MD; Eric Gaier, MD, PhD; Ryan Gise, MD; Gena Heidary, MD, PhD; and Nurhan Torun, MD

AUPO-Certified

This fellowship is certified by the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology Fellowship Compliance Committee (AUPO FCC).