Dr. Apoorva Ayachit
Consultant, MM Joshi Eye Hospital,
Hubli
Dr. Apoorva Ayachit, vitreoretinal surgeon has trained from Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi and is currently a consultant at MM Joshi Eye Institute, Hubli. She shares with AIOS Times her reasons for choosing to be an ophthalmologist and what she feels AIOS can do for the young ophthalmologists of the country.
am often asked why I chose the field of ophthalmology. Although I am from a family of ophthalmologists (Grandfather, Father and paternal uncles all ophthalmologists working in a 50 year old institute); believe it or not, it wasn’t that it was the logical next step for me. There may have been the subliminal curiosity right from childhood, watching my father editing surgical videos and making presentations. There may have been subliminal knowledge-gain in conferences attended as a child. All that apart, I truly fell in love with the first sight of the reacting pupil on the slit lamp in my ophthalmology rotation as a student in medical college. The grueling night duties in Internship made it clear that I wanted a 9-5 job, so ophthalmology it was! Ophthalmic practice isn’t easy and there are plenty of challenges that young ophthalmologists face. The lack of residency spots in the country, the even more limited fellowship spots are a real issue. Despite scores of medical colleges, DNB institutes, there is no unified curriculum for training in ophthalmology. Post- residency general ophthalmology fellowships have become a need which demonstrate the disparity in residency programs across the country. In practice, there is the eternal question of whether to join an institute, begin private practice, join a corporate hospital or go abroad. There are not enough premier set ups that can absorb super-specialty trained ophthalmologists as of now. Although the population: ophthalmologist ratio is dismal, it is disheartening to see the lack of competence- based positions in institutes.
I chose to practice in an institutional setup. I would always choose an institution for the myriad benefits it offers. The academic environment in a teaching institute keeps one abreast of the latest knowhow. There is no financial pressure of acquiring the latest technology because the institution does it for you. This is extremely important for the techno-guzzling juggernaut that is ophthalmology. There is a definite safety net because of your allied specialty colleagues being able to handle your complications. The wide exposure to patients and surgical variety are significant plusses. Allied staff are always well trained and competent. The discipline one must incorporate in an institution and the institutional work culture promote self-improvement.
I think that AIOS should work towards ensuring more ophthalmology institutes of repute. There must definitely be a board that promotes advocacy and works with the government to build ophthalmology departments in government hospitals to a sufficient level to absorb ophthalmologists of all levels of competence in urban, semi- urban as well as rural areas. AIOS should promote an ethic of being more inclusive and help promote data management for all ophthalmologists which can make mammoth contributions to science. We can go higher only if we go lower. So the work must begin at the residency training level. An exit exam post residency makes a lot of sense. The FAICO exams have really set the benchmark high and AIOS must be lauded for this. More AIOS- ARC fellowships with exchange programs would be a wonderful way to make easy transitions to international fellowships. Thank you AIOS for this opportunity to voice our thoughts.