Ophthalmologists are physicians who specialize in treating diseases and defects of the eyes. They perform surgeries like cataract removal and treat conditions such as glaucoma and retinal problems. To become an ophthalmologist requires a bachelor's degree, 4 years of medical school, a one-year internship, and 3-4 years of residency training in eye care. Ophthalmologists are licensed by their state and often board certified. They have moderate workloads, flexible schedules, and a median salary of $248,500. Demand for ophthalmologists is expected to increase with the aging population and preference for corrective eye surgeries.

1. Ophthalmologist
Occupational Presentation

2. Description of Job
• Ophthalmologists are
physicians who
specialize in analyzing
and providing treatment
for diseases, injuries,
and defects of the eyes
• They will perform
subtle surgery on the
eye to treat defects,
such as cataracts

3. Differentiating:
Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist
According to the American Association of Pediatric
Ophthalmology and Strabismus, the two similar
careers differ according to the following:
• “Optometrists are healthcare professionals who provide primary
vision care ranging from sight testing and correction to diagnosis,
treatment, and management of vision changes.”
• Whereas, “an ophthalmologist is a medical osteopathic doctor who
specialize in eye and vision care.”
The two differ in their level of training and in what they can and can’t diagnose

4. Educational Path
• In order to become a practicing ophthalmologist, it is
necessary to complete the following levels of education
and certification:
• Bachelor’s Degree (most typically)
• 4 years of Medical School
• 4 years of Residency
• First Post-Doctoral year: Internship  focus on general
medical issues
• 3-4 years developing eye care skill
• Enter practice

5. Certifications
• Ophthalmologists are
state licensed
• Often involves
examinations and
completion of ethical and
legal screenings
• Many are board
certified as well
• Involves completion of
written and oral
examinations that allow
for certification through
the American Board of
Ophthalmology

6. Basic Skills
• Some of the basic skills that are expected of
ophthalmologists include the following:
• Ability to communicate effectively (health literacy)
• Excellent manual dexterity
• Organizational and time management skills
• Good problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams
• Adaptability to constantly changing technologies

7. Conditions & Sub-Specialties
• Some common conditions that
ophthalmologists are often
called on to treat include the
following:
• Diseases of the cornea
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Retinal problems
• Intraocular inflammation
• Eye-related neurological
problems
• Many of these conditions
parallel the sub-categories of
within this medical field;
additional ones include
oculoplastic surgery and
pediatric ophthalmology

8. Benefits
• For the most part, ophthalmologists have modest, full-
time work loads
• In an average week:
• 30-45 hours spent seeing and treating patients
• 5-9 hours carrying out professional or administrative tasks
• According to a 2011 study conducted by Medscape, the
median salary for an ophthalmologist was $248,500
• Above average for a physician
• In this career, you do have the option to work in a
department or as part of a hospital system. Additionally,
many physicians in this field open their own practice
• This allows for more flexible work schedules and the ability to set your
own hours

9. Career Outlook
• The demand for physicians
in this field should continue
to increase
• With the increase in the
lifespan of the American
population comes more
complex vision care needs.
• There is also a strong push
towards getting corrective
surgeries as opposed to
more conventional
treatments (i.e. glasses and
contacts)
• This is particularly prominent
in younger populations

10. Results form O*Net
• Social: 38
• People with social interest like working with others to help them
learn and grow.
• They like working with people more than working with objects,
machines, or information
• Realistic: 29
• People with realistic interests like work that includes practical,
hands-on problems and answers
• Investigative: 25
• People with investigative interests like work that has to do with
ideas and thinking
• I found these results in line with my attitude towards my career

11. Why Ophthalmology
• Looking specifically at the skills that are given for
ophthalmologist on my O*Net Interest Profile; I think
that my experiences with Operation Sight has allowed me
to acknowledge problems, come up with solutions and
understand other people’s reactions
• Regarding the personality traits on the profile of an
ophthalmologist, I would consider dependable, very
attentive to detail, and genuinely concerned for others

12. Conclusion
• Overall, I foresee myself pursing a career in
ophthalmology because I think I possess the traits and
abilities, in accord with my past experiences, to be happy
and successful in this field.
• In volunteering at the Veterans Affairs Hospital, I have
developed a passion for serving others
• With my internship for Operation Sight, I have familiarized
myself with the field, the lifestyle and the overall mentality
that is required to bring about a great sense of
accomplishment in ophthalmology

13. Resources:
AAPOS: American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and
Strabismus. Difference between an Ophthalmologist,
Optometrist and Optician. American Academy of
Ophthalmology, 2011. Web. Retrieved 24 May 2016 from http://
www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/132.
American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology. Elsevier, 2016.
Web. Retrieved 24 May 2016 from http://www.aaojournal.org/.
Health Careers. Ophthalmology. The NHS Constitution, 2015. Web.
Retrieved 20 May 2016 from https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk
explore-roles/ophthalmology.
HealthCarePathway. Ophthalmologists. HealthCarePathway.com
2009-2016. Web. Retrieved 24 May 2016 from http:/
www.healthcarepathway.com/Health-Care-Careers
ophthalmologist.html.