A Fellowship Unlike Any Other

What would a refractive surgery fellowship program look like if the goal was to produce the highest-skilled refractive surgeons in the world, and position them to lead the field for the next generation?

This is the question posed to a committee of highly experienced refractive surgeons in the Refractive Surgery Alliance (RSA). Their answer was to create a multi-site, comprehensive fellowship that not only produced excellent surgeons but also prepared them to grow a successful practice. In short, to “build a program to optimize training, regardless of cost.”

The result is the Refractive Surgery Alliance (RSA) Fellowship Network – a completely new training experience that offers a standardized curriculum, extensive training in all aspects of patient management, surgery, business, research and technology, and exposes participants to a broad range of development that goes beyond the usual fellowship experience.

The RSA Fellowship Network will celebrate its fifth (5) year of teaching and training as of July 1, 2025. The design continues to produce the highest skilled refractive surgeons in the world, and positions them as leaders for the next generation. The program combines high-volume surgical training with a formal didactic curriculum presented by globally recognized experts in refractive surgery, along with several other program elements such as research, business training, and other select Refractive Surgery programs.

Fellow Year (Year 1), Spent with Preceptor, while Associate Fellow Year (Year 2) – Independent Work – Spent Either with the same Preceptor, or with a Remote Preceptor.

Fellowship training has followed the preceptor-apprentice model for more than a century. The RSA Fellowship Network modernizes specialist training. While it is a two-year program, Year 1, the “Fellow” year is spent with, or under the guidance of a Preceptor/Mentor, followed by Year 2, the “Associate Fellow”, a year of independent work, which can be spent within the same practice or at a new location entirely. While the first-year Fellow is mostly occupied with learning, the second-year Associate Fellow participates more in surgery, teaching, and learning.

Fellow and Associate Fellows, go through the program as a class, rather than as individuals, using digital communications platforms. The Fellowship experience is not left to happenstance, it is carefully structured to ensure that fellows are exposed to the full scope of refractive surgery.

Current training sites exist across the globe, and more sites are recruited each year. We believe the RSA Fellowship Network model will become the template for specialist training throughout ophthalmology and in other specialties.

This program is accredited by the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences. Fellows who successfully complete the two-year program (one-year with a Preceptor/Mentor, followed by a second-year of independent work) receive Certification from the Refractive Surgery Alliance and are eligible for the designation “Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences” (FWCRS), by then making application to the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences for the designation.

A Fellowship with Distinction

Participation in the RSA Fellowship Network Program is limited to highly qualified, entrepreneurial ophthalmologists who employ a values-based approach to their work with passion and positive energy, and who want to lead the next generation of growth in refractive surgery. If this sounds like you, we welcome your inquiry.

The RSA Fellowship Network Program is a two-year program. There is more to learn than can be taught in one year!  Year 1 is the “Fellow” year, where the “Fellow” develops essential didactic skills as well as surgery.  Year 2 is the “Associate” year, a year of independent work, which can be spent by the “Associate Fellow” either within the same practice or at a new location entirely, taking on additional surgical volume, assisting with teaching and training.

An Invitation To Inquire

Thank you for your interest in this new and innovative program. We invite you to review the materials below and contact us with any questions.