Our AUPO-accredited Pediatric Ophthalmology & Adult Strabismus Fellowship offers unmatched surgical experience, academic depth, and mentorship from leaders in the field. Fellows graduate confident and fully prepared to manage the full spectrum of pediatric eye disease and adult strabismus.

Applications are accepted exclusively through SFMatch.org.

Eligibility: Applicants must have completed an ophthalmology residency in North America, as required by the State of Michigan for unrestricted medical licensure.

Join us in Detroit, where you’ll train at a nationally ranked children’s hospital and partner with premier institutions.

Take the leap — expand your options and shape your future in pediatric ophthalmology.

• The salary is commensurate with DMC’s PGY status.
• Medical, dental and vision insurance.
• Malpractice insurance.
• Three weeks of vacation.
• Available time, and a travel stipend, to present at AAPOS’s annual meeting.
• No responsibility to ER call.

Expanding Your Options in Pediatric Ophthalmology

Our Pediatric Ophthalmology & Adult Strabismus Fellowship is designed to prepare the next generation of leaders in the field. With AUPO accreditation, a comprehensive case mix, and exceptional surgical numbers, our program gives fellows unmatched exposure to both common and complex conditions in children and adults.

On average, our fellows complete more than 600 surgical cases annually—well above national averages. Importantly, our training goes beyond strabismus: more than 12% of procedures are intraocular surgeries, including pediatric cataracts, glaucoma, and complex anterior segment cases. This level of surgical diversity ensures our graduates are fully prepared to manage the complete spectrum of pediatric ophthalmology.

A Comprehensive Fellowship Experience

Our goal is simple: to expand your options as a surgeon, clinician, and educator. During fellowship, you will gain extensive experience in:

• Strabismus (pediatric and adult) – from common horizontal deviations to complex cranial nerve palsies
• Pediatric cataracts & juvenile cataracts – including intraocular lens management
• Pediatric glaucoma & congenital glaucoma – including syndromic cases such as Sturge-Weber
• Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) – including laser and anti-VEGF treatments
• Pediatric uveitis & systemic disease associations – in collaboration with rheumatology
• Oculoplastics – including eyelid malpositions and laceration repair
• Genetic & syndromic ophthalmology – with multidisciplinary case exposure
• Amblyopia diagnosis and management – including complex and refractory cases
• Aphakic contact lens management – integral to pediatric cataract care

From rare diagnoses to everyday conditions, you will see - and manage - it all.

Surgical Training

We believe the only way to become a confident surgeon is through hands-on experience. Our fellows spend roughly equal time in clinic and in the OR, leading to surgical numbers that outpace most programs nationwide.

• Average: 600+ cases annually
• On average, 12% intraocular procedures
• Direct surgical autonomy under expert guidance
• Early exposure to high-volume pediatric cataracts and glaucoma

As one recent graduate noted:

“I had only seen one or two pediatric cataracts in residency. In my first week of fellowship, I already had three cataracts on the schedule. By the end of the year, I felt completely comfortable with a wide range of pediatric and adult strabismus and anterior segment surgeries.”

Academic and Research Training

Education goes beyond the OR. Our fellows are deeply involved in resident and medical student teaching, journal clubs, and national research collaborations. Each fellow will:

• Lead six pediatric ophthalmology journal clubs
• Present two original lectures to residents and faculty
• Submit a poster or paper at the AAPOS annual meeting
• Participate in multicenter studies, including PEDIG clinical trials

This balance of surgical, clinical, and academic exposure produces graduates who are not only excellent surgeons but also respected educators and contributors to the field.

Why Choose Our Program?

• AUPO-accredited fellowship at a nationally ranked children’s hospital
• Unparalleled surgical numbers and diversity
• One-on-one training with 10 pediatric ophthalmologists and 8 orthoptists
• Exposure to urban academic centers and suburban private practices
• No ER call responsibilities
• Dedicated support for conference participation and research

Our fellows leave with the skill set to practice in any environment — academic medicine, private practice, or hybrid settings — fully prepared to deliver outstanding care for children and adults with strabismus.

• Leemor B. Rotberg, MD, Fellowship Director
• Lisa Bohra, MD, Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology
• Shaza N. Al-Holou, MD
• Alexandra O. Apkarian, MD
• Reecha S. Bahl, MD
• Elena M. Gianfermi, MD
• Conrad Giles, MD
• Amanda Ismail, MD
• Rajesh C. Rao, MD
• John D. Roarty, MD, MPH
• Mary DeYoung-Smith, CO, COMT
• Stephen Burwell, CO, COT
• Nina Apple, CO, COT