Why Uveitis Fellowship Deserves a Second Look

Uveitis Corner: Survey data and specialist insights challenge long-standing misconceptions about uveitis training, surgery, and compensation.

By: John A. Gonzales, MD , Jessica Shantha, MD, Sruthi Arepalli, MD, Edmund Tsui, MD, Paulina Liberman, MD, Meghan Berkenstock, MD

Retinal Physician March 1, 2026 Vol 23, Issue March-April 2026 Page(s): 18-19

5 Key Takeaways

1

Uveitis is both a medical and surgical subspecialty, with over 70% of specialists performing surgical procedures.
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Most uveitis specialists report annual compensation between $300,000 and $400,000, debunking the myth of low income.
3

Limited exposure to uveitis during residency fosters misconceptions about its difficulty, which can be addressed with clinical rotations.
4

Uveitis is a dynamic specialty that combines surgery, immunology, and vision restoration, offering rewarding career opportunities.
5

The American Uveitis Society is working to make uveitis more approachable through initiatives aimed at increasing training exposure.

Sruthi Arepalli

Bio: Sruthi Arepalli, MD, is a physician author in ophthalmology with a focus on uveitis. In Retinal Physician, she has written about uveitis fellowship training and the clinical scope of uveitis practice. Her recent article addresses common misconceptions about uveitis careers, including surgical opportunities, compensation, and the complexity of uveitis management, drawing on American Uveitis Society survey data and perspectives from practicing uveitis specialists.

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Retinal Physician

Why Uveitis Fellowship Deserves a Second Look

5 Key Takeaways

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