Ophthalmologist

Occupational Presentation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Resources:http://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/132 http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/ophthalmologist http://www.healthcarepathway.com/Health-Care-Careers/ophthalmologist.html https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/ophthalmology