The human eye is an astonishing mechanism. Consisting of light-sensitive tissues, finely calibrated muscles and a jelly-like interior, the organ of the eye is connected to the brain by an intricate network of busy nerve fibers. The eye connects humans to the outside world more intimately than any other sensory organ. Most people take the complex phenomenon of vision for granted—until disease or injury requires that they get help from an ophthalmologist, or eye doctor.
Unlike optometrists, who are trained to diagnose vision problems and prescribe corrective lens or other treatments, or opticians, who prepare eyeglasses or correct lens, ophthalmologists are highly trained medical doctors who specialize in treating eye problems. They are licensed to diagnose eye disorders or diseases, prescribe appropriate drug therapies, and perform eye surgery. All three professionals may work together. For instance, an optometrist may examine a patient and make a reference to an ophthalmologist if advanced medical eye care is needed. If an ophthalmologist or optometrist finds that a patient requires corrective lens, they rely on an optician to provide the right eyeglass frames or to fit the patient with contact lenses.
Becoming an eye doctor requires 12 or more years of rigorous education and training, depending on whether you chose to specialize in a particular area. The job outlook for this field is good, especially with an aging population that needs eye care, and advances in medical technology and science supply opportunities for research and developing cutting-edge skills and expertise. If this field of medicine interests you, consider the following steps to getting your degree and putting your knowledge into practice.
- Focus your undergraduate studies. After high school, complete your bachelor's degree in a pre-med or pre-ophthalmology program. Your coursework should include anatomy, biology, physiology, physics, organic and biochemistry, and statistics. Good grades—specifically a GPA of 3.0 or better—will affect your chances of being admitted to the medical school of your choice.
- Prepare for the MCAT. Admission to medical school requires that you take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) during your junior year in college. The MCAT is a challenging exam, so take the time to prepare for it. If you get a passing grade, you can then proceed to apply to medical school.
- Get through medical school. All aspiring ophthalmologists must complete four years of medical school before going on with specialty training in eye care. Your education will give you a foundation in the basic medical disciplines, medical practices, pharmacology and medical ethics through academic classes and clinical rotations under the supervision of licensed professionals. After finishing your coursework and clinical practice and passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination, you will be authorized to add the professional title of M.D. (Medical Doctor) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) to your name.
- Finish an internship and start your residency in ophthalmology. During your first year after med school, you should complete a one-year internship in internal medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, neurology or family practice that will give you intensive training in patient care. Then apply to an ophthalmology residency that is approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The three-year residency period will combine didactic learning with hands-on clinical experience, including diagnostic and surgical procedures. The Ophthalmology Residency Matching Program is available to help ophthalmology residents find the best program that fits their interests.
- Become a board-certified ophthalmologist. When you are done with your residency program, you can take a certification board exam administered by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Although it's optional, this certification demonstrates your competency and skill level. This certification must be periodically renewed through continuing education courses. You should also take the licensing exam required by the state in which you plan to work.
- Choose a subspecialty. Many ophthalmologists practice as generalists who diagnose and treat eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts and diabetes-related vision problems, with drug therapy and surgery. Others decide to focus on a subspecialty. Subspecialty options include cornea and external disease, cataract and refractive surgery, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, uveitis and ocular immunology, pediatric ophthalmology and vitreoretinal diseases. You can get expertise in a subspecialty through a fellowship program which typically lasts one to two years.
- Career opportunities for eye doctors. The need for highly skilled ophthalmologists is expected to increase. Whether you are interested in developing a practice as a general ophthalmologist, honing your expertise in a subspecialty or concentrating on research, the prospects for these jobs are positive—and the compensation is high. Recent data show that ophthalmologists earn between $221,000 and $318,000 annually.
Being a competent ophthalmologist requires a combination of fine motor skills, especially for surgery, and the ability to inspire trust and confidence in patients who are anxious to retain their vision. It is an exciting, challenging field of medicine for those with a keen interest in medical science and helping people retain their sight.