Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of vision and eye disorders, including systemic diseases. They are unique in their focus on eye health, also caring for surrounding structures like the eyelids and tear ducts. Many ophthalmologists choose to specialize in specific areas, such as neuro-ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology, or cataract surgery, among others. The role typically requires extensive education, including a doctoral degree followed by a residency in ophthalmology, with some opting for additional fellowships for further specialization.
Ophthalmologists primarily work in medical offices and hospitals, often seeing a high volume of patients each week. Their duties encompass conducting eye examinations, diagnosing conditions, prescribing treatments, and performing surgical procedures when necessary. In addition to clinical work, they may have administrative responsibilities if they own a practice.
This profession offers promising job prospects, with a faster-than-average employment growth rate, and it can be financially rewarding, with a median annual salary well above the national average. Individuals interested in becoming ophthalmologists should have a strong foundation in science and medicine, and be prepared for a rigorous educational path.
Ophthalmologist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science
Interests: Medicine, science, taking care of others, communicating with others, solving problems
Earnings (Yearly Median): $131,860 per year, $63.39 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 9% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Doctoral or professional degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Internship/residency
Overview
Sphere of Work. Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat all vision and eye disorders, including systemic diseases. They are the only medical doctors who specialize in conditions of the eye. Ophthalmologists also care for the structures surrounding the eye, such as the eye sockets, eyelids, tear ducts, and nerve pathways to the brain. Many ophthalmologists specialize in one area of eye care. The subspecialties of ophthalmology include neuro-ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology, ophthalmic plastic surgery, retinal diseases, glaucoma, cataract and refractive surgery, and ocular immunology.
Work Environment. Ophthalmologists work primarily in medical offices and hospitals. An ophthalmologist at a medical office can see more than one hundred patients per week. Assisted by a staff of ophthalmic technicians and nurses, ophthalmologists perform comprehensive eye services and outpatient surgical procedures using state-of-the-art technology. The office-based ophthalmologist typically spends one or two days a week in surgery. Some ophthalmologists remain on call for after-hour emergencies.
Occupation Interest. Those considering a career as an ophthalmologist should have an interest in medicine and the science of vision and be willing to devote many years to postgraduate study and training. Students must excel academically, as medical schools and ophthalmology residency programs are challenging and competitive.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. An ophthalmologist’s responsibilities vary depending on whether they work in a subspecialty of the field. General ophthalmologists provide a broad range of services, including standard eye examinations and glasses and contact lens prescriptions, while ophthalmologists who subspecialize usually do not treat eye disorders unrelated to their area of interest. Regardless of subspecialty, an ophthalmologist’s main priority is the vision health of their patients.
Ophthalmologists in office settings see patients throughout the day, some of whom are referred to their medical practice by primary-care doctors. With patients, they screen for diseases, make diagnoses, and provide treatment or follow-up care with the assistance of trained ophthalmic technicians and nurses. Some office-based ophthalmologists spend one or two days a week in surgery. Most ophthalmologists’ offices are equipped for minor outpatient surgical procedures. More complex surgical procedures are performed by ophthalmologists at surgical centers or hospitals, assisted by medical staff.
The workday sometimes ends for ophthalmologists when the office closes its doors. Some spend evenings and weekends on call, making themselves available for after-hours medical emergencies. Ophthalmologists who own their practice must handle the additional responsibilities of owning a business, including finances, hiring decisions, and purchasing supplies and equipment.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Ophthalmologists work in medical offices, eye clinics, surgical centers, and hospitals. Interaction with patients and staff generally occurs in examination rooms, preoperative areas, operating rooms, and postoperative recovery areas. Ophthalmologists employed by the military or aid groups may be stationed near war zones and treat wounded civilians or soldiers in ad hoc trauma centers.
Human Environment. Ophthalmologists interact with medical and front-desk staff, the number and type of whom depend on the setting and size of the medical practice. They also communicate with patients and their family members. Some patient interaction takes place over the phone. Aside from patients and staff, ophthalmologists speak with other doctors and communicate regularly with medical equipment vendors and insurance company representatives.
Technological Environment. In the examination room, ophthalmologists use diagnostic equipment such as slit-lamp biomicroscopes, visual field machines, potential acuity meters, auto-refractors, and optical coherence tomography. Digital imaging is also an important diagnostic tool.
In the operating room, ophthalmologists handle a wide array of surgical equipment. For example, they use a phacoemulsifier to break cataracts into small pieces using ultrasonic vibrations during cataract surgery. When the vitreous gel in the eye needs to be removed, they use a cutting device called a vitrector. They rely on a small hand tool called a corneal trephine to remove the diseased cornea during a cornea transplant. Lasers are commonly used in ophthalmological surgery to restore vision and prevent further vision loss from various eye disorders.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students should enroll in a well-rounded curriculum to apply to medical school. Courses in math and science, including biology, chemistry, and physiology, benefit those interested in ophthalmology. Excellent academic performance is required of all medical school applicants.
Postsecondary. Ophthalmologists are trained at medical schools. When applying to medical school, a strong background in science is helpful but not necessary. Medical students usually spend their first two years studying in classes and labs, then spend their last two years in classes and on hospital rotations. At the end of four years, they graduate and earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or, if they attended a college of osteopathic medicine, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Licensed osteopathic physicians are entitled to practice medicine in the United States.
A one-year internship and a minimum three-year ophthalmology residency follow medical school graduation. It is during residency that a subspecialty in ophthalmology is pursued. After residency completion, ophthalmologists can enter a continuing education program called a fellowship, which can last from one to two years and provide ophthalmologists with further training in their subspecialties.
Related Occupations
− Surgeon
Bibliography
“Optometrists.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/optometrists.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
“Physicians and Surgeons.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.