The glaucoma fellowship program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is under the direction of Robert Noecker, MD, MBA. The fellowship is designed to emphasize the clinical aspects of glaucoma care; however, there are a significant number of different research initiatives ongoing in which the fellow will participate. Within certain guidelines, the fellowship can be adapted to the individual goals of the fellow. There is ample opportunity for both clinical work and research, both clinical and basic in nature.
The glaucoma fellow can participate in busy clinics with both Dr. Noecker and Dr. Joel Schuman, the Department Chairman. The active research environment allows for significant intra and inter-departmental collaborations. Dr. Noecker is active in research involving the medical, laser and surgical treatment of glaucoma. He also has ongoing pharmacoeconomic projects and clinical studies examining the relationship of Alzheimer’s disease and glaucoma. Dr. Schuman is a recognized world authority on optical coherence tomography and other imaging modalities.
The fellow will be active in the surgical care of patients and will act as primary surgeon as experience and skill merit on trabeculectomies, tube shunt surgeries, endoscopic laser cyclophotocoagulation and other novel surgical techniques. In the clinic, the fellow will routinely use diagnostic imaging technologies such OCT, GDx, HRT, UBM and other experimental devices. Laser procedures that are routinely performed include, LPIs, SLT, laser suture lysis, laser bleb revision and transscleral cyclophotocoagulation.
The ability to do bench research and collaborate with basic scientists is made easier with the strong team already in place within the UPMC Eye Center. The fellowship includes opportunities to attend/participate in the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and/or ARVO, and other national meetings. The fellow will also have ample opportunity to teach residents and medical students both informally and formally. The fellow can also take advantage of the full educational opportunities within the Department of Ophthalmology in preparation for board certification.
