All You Need to Know About Ophthalmologists

What is Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine dealing with specific diseases and surgery of the eyes and surrounding parts, including the hair, eyelids and lacrimal system. The dictionary defines an ophthalmologist as an eye specialist for both surgical problems, as well as medical, and since they operate on the eyes, they are considered as surgical, as well as medical specialties. They are responsible for operating and caring for the full spectrum of the eye and are able to perform very delicate surgeries. In most cases, an ophthalmologist can also prescribe glasses and contact lenses to their patients as well, should the need arise.

Who are Ophthalmologists

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (M.D), also known as Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine. In most places, it is a requirement for potential ophthalmologists to pursue a bachelor’s degree in college in Chemistry, Biology, or another related field. After a bachelor’s degree, a student needs to get into medical school, which is extremely competitive. Good grades, good relationships with your professors (letters of recommendation) and a good score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) can improve a students chances of getting in significantly.

Four years are spent studying ophthalmology at medical school, after which another four years is spent in postgraduate training in ophthalmology (this is a requirement in most countries). In recent times however, some ophthalmologists also undergo additional training (usually for a year or two) to choose a specialty from one of the many subspecialties of ophthalmology. Ophthalmology was one of the first branches of medicine that required board certification, which is now a standard practice among most specialties.

Sub-specialties within the Field of Ophthalmology

There are a vast number of sub-specialties within the field of ophthalmology, which include (but are not limited to) Anterior Segment Surgery (the anterior segment is the front third of the eye), Pediatric Ophthalmology (concerned with eye diseases and the care of vision in children) and Vitreo-retinal surgery (deals with the management of disorders related to the retinal and posterior segments)

What does an Ophthalmologist do

Ophthalmologists generally work in private practices, and hence are able to choose their own hours and work according to their own schedule. It is rare that a hospital will call on an ophthalmologist during a medical emergency, and so they can keep regular daytime hours. Since the field of ophthalmology is continuously advancing, an ophthalmologist would have to spend many hours researching new advancements in the field, alongside their regular work.

Who Should Consider Ophthalmology

A person should consider ophthalmology only if they are genuinely interested in pursuing a career that is both demanding and difficult. A general requirement is extremely high intelligence, as well as the focus needed to get through the many years of schooling. Since the eye is an extremely sensitive organ, it is important for ophthalmologists to have excellent hand-eye coordination and depth, so that they are capable of operating on the small, sensitive parts of the human eye.

How to Become an Ophthalmologist

To become a certified ophthalmologist, one needs to pass both a written and an oral exam. By passing, you are certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO). The written portion of the exam consists of 250 questions, on different topics within the field of ophthalmology, which the candidate would have studied sometime during their schooling. The topics candidates are tested upon include optics, pediatric ophthalmology, cornea, eyelids, ophthalmic pathology, and the retina. The oral part of the exam tests students on their acquisition of data as well as their skill of being able to diagnose and treat a patient.

Expected Salary

The salary of an ophthalmologist varies greatly, depending on experience, location and specialty. However, the Association of American Medical Colleges shows that the average annual salary for an ophthalmologist generally ranges from $150,000 to $351,000.