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

•  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.)

•  Click the button labeled ‘View General Ophthalmology Timeline’ to read about the history of Ophthalmology!

Ophthalmologist Tasks/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 https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/ophthalmologist

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 https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologist Statistics: •  Average hours worked per week: 51.0

•  Average salary: $197,700/year

•  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

•  Ophthalmologists are in high demand, so advancement opportunities are constant

Ophthalmic Subspecialties: •  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 http://www.aao.org/medical-students/subspecialties

Job Outlook:

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

•  Ophthalmologists (and doctors in all specialties) are in high demand

https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip

Essential Qualities of an Ophthalmologist:

•  Integrity •  Attention to detail •  Dependability •  Concern for others •  Achievement/effort •  Stress tolerance •  Problem-solving skills •  Steady hands/fingers https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip

My O*Net Profile Results •  The O*NET Interest Profile described me

as mostly: – Realistic:

•  People who have mechanical ability, prefer to work with objects, machines, tools, plants, animals, or to be outdoors

–  Investigative: •  People who like to observe, learn, investigate,

analyze, evaluate, or solve problems, especially of a scientific nature

– Social: •  People who like to work with people to inform, help,

enlighten, train, develop, or cure them, and are skilled with words

How Are My O*NET Results Related to Skills/Abilities Necessary for a Career in

Medicine?

•  Realistic: –  I enjoy learning how machines and tools work/function, which is

a useful quality for the field of ophthalmology. Ophthalmologists must use many tools to assess people’s vision, and must understand how tools/machines work to be able to properly examine patients’ eyes.

•  Investigative: –  I enjoy learning, investigating, analyzing, evaluating, and solving

problems, which is particularly useful in the field of ophthalmology when trying to determine what steps should be taken to best correct someone’s vision.

•  Social: –  I enjoy explaining things to people and talking with people in

general, which is a valuable quality in the field of ophthalmology. Ophthalmologists must be skilled with words so that they are able to explain complicated situations in simpler terms.

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

https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip

Why Am I Interested in Ophthalmology?

•  At the age of two, I was diagnosed with Amblyopia, or lazy eye (see YouTube video below)

•  I wore a patch over my right eye to correct my “lazy” left eye for five years (ages 2-7)

•  I have worn glasses and/or contact lenses since I was two years old

•  Thankfully, I had wonderful ophthalmologists at MUSC Storm Eye Institute who helped correct my vision and inspired me to explore the field of ophthalmology

Conclusion •  Ophthalmology is a field that requires

many years of education and training •  The job outlook, average salary, and

limited hours on call are very appealing •  An ophthalmologist must be very

dedicated to the field, must be willing to work numerous hours, and see many patients each week

•  However, ophthalmologists tend to enjoy their jobs and form wonderful relationships with their patients, both of which make ophthalmology appeal to me