Where surgical precision becomes lifelong practice.
The McMaster Anterior Segment and Glaucoma Fellowship (MASG) is accredited by McMaster University and trains 1–2 fellows per year to operate independently across the full range of glaucoma and complex anterior segment surgery — out of Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington and the Hamilton Regional Eye Institute at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton, Canada.
This fellowship is intentionally designed to be highly surgical — high-volume, high-variety exposure, so that each fellow graduates with the confidence to manage whatever presents to them. Mentorship, however, extends well beyond the operating room and does not conclude at graduation. A genuine investment in each fellow's professional and personal direction, and continued contact well after training ends, is central to this program.
In the end, a fellow leaves having learned more than surgical skill alone — they leave with a mentor for life. Our logo says as much: an eye merged with a compass, precision and direction fused into one symbol. Surgical precision. Direction for life.
Full-scope competency, through high-volume exposure.
The fellow is expected to reach independent competency across every category below — tracked through a surgical log reviewed weekly with the fellowship director.
Trabeculectomy, tube shunt surgery
BANG, GATT, KDB, iStent, Hydrus
PreserFlo, Xen
Mature and dislocated cataracts, iris hooks, Malyugin ring
Capsular tension rings and segments, secondary IOL implantation, IOL repositioning and fixation (iris suture, scleral suture, Yamane)
Pars plana vitrectomy for aqueous misdirection (IHZV), post-trauma repair, pupil and iris reconstructive surgery
Cyclophotocoagulation (CPC), selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), laser iridotomy (PI)
A surgical log, reviewed every week — no exceptions.
The fellow keeps a detailed surgical and procedure log, reviewed weekly with the fellowship director to confirm adequate exposure across every pathology and intervention. Progress is tracked through completed steps and competencies until full independent cases can be performed safely.
Complex cases — glaucoma drainage devices, secondary IOL implantation, vitrectomies — run at St. Joseph's King Street campus. Routine cataract and glaucoma surgery run at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington. Pediatric surgical cases go through McMaster Children's Hospital.
Fellowship Director
Glaucoma, cataract, and anterior segment surgeon based at the Hamilton Regional Eye Institute (St. Joseph's Healthcare) and Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington. Built this fellowship around a simple premise: a fellow should leave operating independently across the full range of glaucoma and complex anterior segment disease — not just the routine cases. The recipient of numerous surgical teaching awards, he's spent his career as much in the teaching role as the operating one.
One week, the whole scope.
This isn't a rotation through phases — the fellow works the full range of glaucoma and anterior segment disease from week one, on a fixed weekly rhythm of clinic, two block OR days at two hospital sites, and protected research time.
Laser treatment clinic every other Monday. Otherwise, new consults and post-ops at clinic.
Clinic continues — new patient consults and repeat assessments.
Full day of clinic — repeat patient assessment, new consults, and minor procedures.
Block OR day for complex cases at St. Joseph's King Street campus: glaucoma drainage devices, advanced cataracts, secondary IOL implantation, vitrectomies. Emergent consults reviewed with the resident on call.
Post-op and urgent cases back at clinic, or research time. 4–14 weeks a year, this slot is glaucoma teaching for the residency program — the fellow joins and helps teach.
Block OR day for routine cases at Joseph Brant Hospital, Burlington: routine cataracts and routine glaucoma surgery.
Research time once the OR day is done.
Clinic — new consults, assessments, and small procedures.
Protected research afternoon.
Roughly a half-day a week, start to finish.
Research isn't an add-on — it's built into the weekly schedule, with the expectation of full involvement from protocol to publication.
Protocol development & REB submission
Competence in developing a research protocol and navigating the Research Ethics Board process from submission onward.
Recruitment, data, and analysis
Hands-on involvement in patient recruitment, data collection, and analysis — not handed off to a research coordinator.
Publication & conference presentation
Submissions for meetings and publications are expected. Conference funding — travel, lodging, registration — is provided when the fellow is presenting.
Two cities, one short drive apart.
The fellow operates out of two sites: the Hamilton Regional Eye Institute at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton, and Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington — about 20 minutes apart along the lake.
- Two sitesComplex cases run at St. Joseph's in Hamilton; routine OR days run at Joseph Brant in Burlington — both a short, lake-side drive from each other.
- CommuteNeither city carries a GTA-scale commute — most fellows live within a 10–20 minute drive of both hospital sites.
- OutdoorsThe Niagara Escarpment runs through both cities — over 100 waterfalls within Hamilton's limits, plus Burlington's waterfront trail along Lake Ontario.
- Toronto accessGO Train and highway access from either city make Toronto a realistic weekend, not a pilgrimage.
- Cost of livingMeaningfully lower housing costs than Toronto or Vancouver, without giving up a genuine restaurant and arts scene.
Ask them yourself.
Four fellows have already trained under Dr. Hasanee's supervision through the traditional glaucoma fellowship. All are willing to speak candidly about their clinical and surgical experience — reach out to the Fellowship Director for contact details.
Dr. Corinne Lahoud
Practicing in Lebanon
Dr. Biana Dubinsky
Western University, Canada
Dr. Anan Aljawi
Practicing in Saudi Arabia
Dr. Ala Bashir
Practicing in Israel
Before you apply.
Who is eligible to apply?+
How many fellows do you take per year?+
Is this an accredited program?+
What is the interview process like?+
Is funding or salary support provided?+
When is the application deadline?+
How to apply
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning July 1, 2026, for the fellowship year starting July 2027. Interviews are being conducted over the summer and early fall.
Submit application
Up-to-date CV, a personal letter of interest, and three reference letters. Apply through SF Match or by emailing the Fellowship Director directly.
File review
Reviewed directly by the Fellowship Director.
Interview
Conducted on a rolling basis starting July 1, 2026. Final application deadline is October 31, 2026, with candidate selection made approximately mid-December 2026.
Ranking & offer
Applicants are ranked following interviews. Final selection will be made by mid-December 2026 — 1–2 candidates may be selected depending on demand.