A new Retinal Physician article co-authored by AUS members draws on the 2025 AUS Member Practice Survey and specialist insight to challenge three long-standing misconceptions that steer residents away from uveitis fellowship.
Myth 1 — Few surgical opportunities
Uveitis is both a medical and surgical subspecialty. Per the AUS survey, more than 70% of specialists perform injections or surgical procedures, nearly 60% do cataract surgery routinely, and over 75% administer intravitreal injections — with unique expertise in perioperative steroid timing, immunomodulation, and antimicrobial coverage.
Myth 2 — Poor compensation
The data don't support this. Most specialists report compensation between $300,000 and $400,000, nearly a quarter earn more than $400,000, and those with additional retina, cornea, or glaucoma training often exceed $500,000 — comparable to other ophthalmic subspecialties.
Myth 3 — Uveitis is hard
Uveitis isn't inherently difficult — it's under-taught. About half of US residents have no dedicated rotation, yet those who rotate early with a specialist are twice as likely to consider fellowship. The AUS UVEA Task Force is closing the gap with a resident education portal and a regional Champion Lecture Series.
The full article also covers professional satisfaction, the 19 AUPO-accredited US fellowship programs, and why uveitis may be ophthalmology's best-kept secret.
Source: Gonzales JA, Shantha J, Arepalli S, Tsui E, Liberman P, Berkenstock M. “Why Uveitis Fellowship Deserves a Second Look.” Retinal Physician. 2026;23(March–April):18–19.
