Assessment of fellowship programs in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Philippine General Hospital

Objective@#The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions and satisfaction of the graduates and trainees of the fellowship programs of the Philippine General Hospital - Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (PGH DOVS). @*Methods@#A uniform survey was conducted among all graduates and ongoing trainees of the External Disease and Cornea, Medical and Surgical Vitreo-Retina, Glaucoma, Orbit and Oculoplastics, and Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus fellowship programs. The survey link was emailed to all the participants.@*Results@#Response rate was 74%. Majority of graduates were clustered in the National Capital Region (NCR) (56.4%), and Luzon excluding NCR (46.4%). Majority of the graduates perceived that the objectives of their fellowship program were met (60%). Overall, 65.4% of the fellows assessed their training as completely adequate. Strengths identified were volume of patients, level of independence, and consultant supervision. Weaknesses identified were the lack of specialized instruments, lack of inter-department exposures, and difficulties in the conduct of research.@*Conclusion@#Majority were satisfied with their training and would recommend their training program to others despite the difficulties and deficiencies identified. Some of the perceived weaknesses observed by the graduates have been addressed since their graduation from their program. This is the first attempt to assess post-residency fellowship programs in ophthalmology in the Philippines.

Prevalence and incidence of diabetic retinopathy in women with gestational diabetes and overt diabetes first diagnosed in pregnancy

Objectives@#Due to the lack of evidence linking retinopathy to gestational and overt diabetes, the utility of dilated fundus examination for screening is not established. This study aimed to determine prevalence and progression of retinopathy among newly diagnosed diabetic pregnant women. @*Methodology@#The study was a single-center observational, descriptive study at the outpatient department of a tertiary hospital. Newly diagnosed pregnant women were enrolled based on local criteria, using the 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test, HbA1C level, and random blood sugar test. Dilated fundus photo examination was used to document retinopathy. Fundus photo examination was done every trimester, at delivery and post-partum. Prevalence and incidence of diabetic retinopathy were measured and monitored.@*Results@#Seventy-one women were classified to have gestational diabetes and with no diabetic retinopathy on first consult and remained free of retinopathy during pregnancy and post-partum. In two women diagnosed with ODM, one showed sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy, was asymptomatic and had a visual acuity of 20/20. @*Conclusion@#GDM had no negative impact on retinal pathology and prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was higher among those with ODM. Our results suggest that screening in the GDM population is not advisable, and inconclusive in ODM.