Career Interest: Ophthalmology

Mary Hunter Brown Clemson University

What is an Ophthalmologist? •  A physician (M.D. or D.O.) who specializes in the

medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system and in the prevention of eye disease and injury

•  Corrects vision and treats diseases/disorders of the eye and optic nerve

•  Differ from optometrists, who attend optometry school to become doctors of optometry (O.D.)

•  Ophthalmologists are physicians and surgeons who attend medical school to become medical doctors (M.D.)

Ophthalmologist Duties: •  Perform surgery

–  Cataract, glaucoma, refractive, corneal, vitro-retinal, eye muscle, and/or oculoplastic surgeries

•  Perform examinations of the eyes/visual system –  Perform comprehensive exams of the visual system to

determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders

•  Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye/visual system –  Includes the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids

Education •  Four years of medical school (MD) •  Four years of postgraduate specialty training

after the completion of a medical degree –  Includes a three-year residency in

ophthalmology in a surgical residency program, which involves training in all areas of ophthalmology

– Also includes at least a one-year internship following surgical residency program

Education and Licensure: •  To practice as an ophthalmologist, one must be certified

by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and requires that one must complete the following :

•  Four years of undergraduate college (bachelor’s degree)

•  Four years of medical school (M.D. or D.O.) •  One-year internship •  Series of exams to become licensed to practice

general medicine •  Three-year residency program in ophthalmology •  Two-part exam given by the American Board of

Ophthalmology

Ophthalmologist Statistics: •  Average hours worked per week: 51.0 •  Average salary: $197,700/year •  In ophthalmology, men earn 34% more than women,

which is slightly above the average for physicians overall

•  About 54% of ophthalmologists see more than 100 patients per week

•  41% of ophthalmologists say that the most rewarding part of their job is gratitude/relationships with patients (only 31% for physicians overall)

Source: http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/compensation/2015/ophthalmology#page=11

Opportunities for Advancement:

•  Expand practices to include multiple subspecialties

•  Most ophthalmologists spend extra hours studying, researching, and/or attending seminars to keep up with a rapidly-changing and developing field

Ophthalmic Subspecialities: •  Cornea and External Disease •  Cataract and Refractive Surgery •  Glaucoma •  Uveitis and Ocular Immunology •  Vitreoretinal Diseases •  Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery •  Strabismus/Pediatric Ophthalmology •  Neuro-Ophthalmology •  Ophthalmic Pathology

Job Outlook

•  14% increase in jobs for all physicians and surgeons (including ophthalmologists) from 2014-2024

Essential Qualities of an Ophthalmologist:

•  Integrity •  Attention to detail •  Dependability •  Concern for others •  Achievement/effort •  Stress tolerance •  Problem-solving skills •  Steady hands/fingers

Work Environment:

•  Most ophthalmologists: – work in private practices – work full-time Monday-Friday – have regularly scheduled hours in their

offices and operating rooms •  usually 1-2 days per week performing surgery, 3-4

days per week in clinic

–  are regularly on call for emergencies, but emergencies are rare and can usually be handled over the phone

Why Ophthalmology?