Sightsavers India opens 2026 fellowship for ophthalmologists

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Sightsavers India, a development organisation working with partners to reduce avoidable blindness and promote equality of opportunity for people with disabilities, has announced the launch of its 2026 fellowship programme for ophthalmologists in India.

The organisation said on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) that the 18-month programme is designed to equip early-career ophthalmologists with advanced clinical, surgical and leadership skills while preparing them to deliver quality eye care in areas of high need.

According to Ministry of Health surveys and large-scale studies, including the 2021 Longitudinal Ageing Study of India, Uttar Pradesh and the northeastern region—particularly Arunachal Pradesh—have the highest rates of blindness and visual impairment in India.

Sightsavers India said that having screened more than 100 million people across India since 1970, it recognises the importance of supporting young professionals at a critical stage of their careers and helping bridge the transition from postgraduate education to independent practice through immersive learning and real-world experience.

The fellowship offers a rigorous and hands-on learning experience. Over 18 months, fellows undergo a carefully structured journey starting with four months of intensive surgical training at leading institutions. This is followed by a 14-month posting at a partner hospital in one of eight states—Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

“Through these placements, the fellowship contributes to strengthening the availability of skilled ophthalmologists in rural areas where access to specialised eye care can be limited. It also provides fellows valuable experience of working in high-volume settings, managing diverse clinical cases and understanding the realities of delivering eye care in resource-constrained settings,” a statement issued by the organisation read.

Applications are open to Indian nationals holding an MS, DNB, or DO degree