TERTC Cornea and Contact Lens Fellows spend time in clinic fitting specialty contact lenses on challenging corneas with interesting diseases and dystrophies. Many patients are post-surgical – corneal transplant (PKP, LKP, DSEK), cataract, trauma, etc. Fellows learn how to manage these difficult corneas with advanced contact lens designs and therapeutics while co-managing patients with John Goosey M.D., one of the top corneal specialists/surgeons in the world. Fellows also receive the opportunity to shadow Dr. Goosey once a week at Houston Eye Associates. 

Additionally, fellows receive the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Jan Bergmanson, mentor for this advanced fellowship, to co-author and publish a paper. While this training expands knowledge of anterior segment disease and medical contact lenses, another benefit is gaining a step ahead in career advancement. 

TERTC has trained 21 Fellows through this unique training program. Many of these outstanding individuals have been recruited and established a career in prestigious places in industry and academic positions and achieved national acclaim. Examples include Dr. Karen DeLoss, Associate Professor at Department of Ophthalmology, University of Michigan; Dr. Leah Johnson, Director of Professional Affairs at CooperVision Specialty Eye Care, the Americas; Dr. Chirag Patel, Associate Director Innovated Technology, BostonSight.

Most clinics, academia, hospitals, larger private clinics, and industry positions require a Fellowship/Residency certification to be considered. Therefore, this position opens doors that otherwise may not be available. Furthermore, the TERTC Fellowship is well regarded nationally and, on multiple occasions, positions have been reserved for a TERTC Fellow to take upon Fellowship completion.

Fellowship completion will prepare trainees for full scope optometric practice in any desired setting – including academia, hospital and industry as well as independent private practice.