Advances in Glaucoma Treatment Lead to New Fellowship

The University of Missouri School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology will add a new fellowship next year to address the evolving treatment options for patients suffering from glaucoma.

The Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology (AUPO) certified fellowship in glaucoma and anterior segment surgery will provide broad exposure to clinical and surgical management of glaucoma and cataracts, including the latest micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedures that have revolutionized the way patients with glaucoma are treated. 

“There are multiple new surgeries under the umbrella of MIGS, and there’s a learning curve for each,” said glaucoma fellowship director Jella An, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology and director of glaucoma service. “There’s a huge need for a training program that can teach the next generation of surgeons these micro-invasive glaucoma surgeries. And there are not many places that teach these techniques or have access to the latest technology in interventional glaucoma.”

The new glaucoma fellowship will join the retina and cornea fellowships currently offered in the Department of Ophthalmology.  

“There is a need for providers who can offer these surgical options, especially in Missouri,” said Frederick Fraunfelder, MD, Chairman and Roy E. Mason and Elizabeth Patee Mason Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology. “This fellowship will provide more able surgeons, and hopefully they will choose to stay in Missouri to continue their career once their training is complete.” 

Interviews for the new glaucoma fellow will begin in October. The selected candidate will start in July 2020.