Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye. May also provide vision services for treatment including glasses and contacts.
From people doing the work
Every day is a mix of clinic appointments, performing diagnostic tests, and often, surgery. It's to restore or improve someone's vision, but it can be demanding with long hours and complex cases. The precision required in eye surgery is, and staying updated with new technologies is constant.
Drawn from American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Ophthalmology Times, Reddit r/Ophthalmology
Attribution: Composite
Composite · Synthesised from American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Ophthalmology Times, Reddit r/Ophthalmology
A day in the life of Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- 85% Team / 15% Solo
- Client facing
- Frequent
- Impact visibility
- Very High
- Travel
- Minimal
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- On-site Only
- Typical work hours
- 40-60
- Stress level
- High
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric salary, education and outlook at a glance
- Median salary
- $90,895
- Entry-level
- $54,500
- Senior
- $164,000
- Growth by 2033
- +4.3%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Low
- Salary growth potential
- 201%
- Typical student debt
- Very High
Skills you need as Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
Hard skills
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Complex Problem Solving
- Medical software
Soft skills
- Social Perceptiveness
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Critical Thinking
Technical complexity: Moderate
Tools of the trade
Core tools
- Ophthalmoscope (Hardware): Used for examining the interior of the eye to diagnose conditions.
- Slit Lamp (Hardware): Provides a magnified, 3D view of the eye's anterior and posterior segments for detailed examination.
- Phacoemulsification Machine (Hardware): Utilized for cataract surgery to remove the clouded lens.
Commonly used
- Electronic Health Record (EHR) System (Software): Manages patient medical records, appointments, and billing for efficient practice management.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) (Hardware): An imaging technique that provides cross-sectional views of the retina for diagnosing retinal diseases.
Specialist tools
- Fundus Camera (Hardware): Captures high-resolution images of the retina, optic disc, and macula for documentation and diagnosis.
- Excimer Laser (Hardware): Used in refractive surgery procedures like LASIK to correct vision.
How to become Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
- Minimum education
- Post-Doctoral Training
- Licensing
- Yes
- Years to mid-career
- 4-8
- Years to senior
- 10-15
- Career switching
- Hard
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
- Optometrist: Provides primary vision care, including eye exams and prescribing corrective lenses, often referring patients to ophthalmologists for medical or surgical treatment.
- Ophthalmic Medical Technologist: Assists ophthalmologists in patient care, diagnostic testing, and minor procedures, serving as a crucial support role.
- General Practitioner: A physician who provides routine medical care and may refer patients with eye-related issues to an ophthalmologist.
Where you can go from here
- Ophthalmic Surgeon (Specialized): An ophthalmologist who has further specialized in a specific surgical area, such as retinal surgery or glaucoma surgery.
- Medical Researcher (Ophthalmology): Conducts scientific research in eye diseases, treatments, and vision science, contributing to advancements in the field.
- Medical School Professor (Ophthalmology): Teaches ophthalmology to medical students and residents, often combining clinical practice with academic responsibilities.
Typical progression
- Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
- or Pediatric Surgeons
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric job outlook and future demand
- Automation probability
- Low
- AI disruption risk
- Low
- Demand trend
- Stable
Job satisfaction as Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
- Overall satisfaction
- 7.5/10
- Meaning
- 9/10
- Work-life balance
- 5.5/10
- Prestige
- 9/10
- Social perception
- Very High
Where practitioners gather
Professional organisations
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO): A professional organization dedicated to advancing the lifelong learning and professional interests of ophthalmologists.
- European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS): A European professional organization focused on education and research in cataract and refractive surgery.
Podcasts and media
- Ophthalmology Times: A leading publication providing news and insights for ophthalmologists.
- EyeNet Magazine: A monthly news magazine for members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, covering clinical and practice management topics.
Reddit communities
- Reddit r/Ophthalmology: An online community for discussions, case studies, and sharing knowledge among ophthalmology professionals and enthusiasts.