Optometry Fellowship in Medically Necessary Contact Lenses
Hospital-based Fellowship in Advanced, Medically Necessary Contact Lenses
This fellowship provides advanced, specialized training in the management of complex corneal and ocular surface disorders requiring contact lens intervention. Fellows will work closely with attendings in a hospital-based, multidisciplinary setting, gaining hands-on experience with patients who have conditions such as keratoconus, post-surgical needs, keratoprosthesis, ocular GVHD, and limbal stem cell deficiency. The program covers a variety of contact lens modalities, including soft, rigid gas permeable, and scleral lenses. In addition to clinical experience, fellows will receive comprehensive didactic instruction and engage in research opportunities. Upon completion, fellows will be well-prepared to provide expert-level care in medically necessary contact lenses and improve patient access to specialized services.
The UIC Contact Lens Service faculty are nationally recognized for their clinical and research expertise, particularly in managing patients with complex corneal diseases. They have extensive experience fitting all types of medically necessary contact lenses, including scleral, hybrid, rigid, and customized soft lenses. The service also offers specialized treatments such as BostonSight PROSE and impression-based EyePrint Pro for patients with severely compromised ocular function due to complex corneal diseases.
Patient Population
Fellows will manage patients with conditions such as:
Column 1
- Keratoconus
- Post-corneal transplant
- Limbal stem cell deficiency
- Dry eye disease (including graft-versus-host disease, Sjögren’s syndrome, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- Persistent epithelial defects
Column 2
- Neurotrophic keratitis
- Corneal scarring
- Post-LASIK
- Post-keratoprosthesis (KPro)
- Aphakia
- Trauma (including open globe repairs, chemical burns, and cosmetic reconstruction)
Application Information
Fellowship applicants will need to submit applications to be received by January 15, 2026 for a summer 2026 start date. Application requirements include:
- Letter of intent/future professional career plan
- Curriculum Vitae
- Three letters of recommendation
- Graduate school transcript
- Board score report
Please send all of the above documents to Fellowship Director, Angelica Scanzera, OD, MPH (ascanz@uic.edu).
Salary and benefits
The 2025-26 salary for the one year post-residency Advanced Contact Lens Fellowship is $74,338. (UIC PGY-2 schedule; 2026-27 salaries not yet finalized). Benefits offered parallel those offered for all UIC employees (e.g., health, disability and life insurance, vacation, sick leave, malpractice insurance). More information on benefits is available is available here.
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Training and Career Development
Training includes:
- Clinical Experience: Fellows participate in a multi-subspecialty ophthalmic group within a tertiary care setting, collaborating with cornea, glaucoma, and retina subspecialists.
- Didactic Training: Supplemented by lectures to deepen knowledge.
- Rotations: Opportunities for rotations with other subspecialists.
- Clinical Research: Fellows can tailor research projects to their individual interests and career goals.
- Advancement: Fellows are encouraged to attend and present at national meetings and to pursue FAAO and FSLS (Scleral Lens Education Society) status during the fellowship.
