What Do Ophthalmologists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Ophthalmologists

Ophthalmologists diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries of the eyes and related structures.

Salary
$218850
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Doctoral degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

Ophthalmologists diagnose, treat, and help prevent diseases and injuries of the eyes and related structures. They also perform ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract, glaucoma, refractive, corneal, vitro-retinal, eye muscle, or oculoplastic surgeries.

Other tasks include:

  • Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.
  • Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
  • Document or evaluate patients’ medical histories.
  • Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.
  • Perform, order, or interpret the results of diagnostic or clinical tests.
  • Develop treatment plans based on patients’ histories and goals, the nature and severity of disorders, and treatment risks and benefits.

We asked Ophthalmologists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

74%

How meaningful is this job

82%


74% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 82% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Ophthalmologists document or evaluate patients’ medical histories. They perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.

A typical day for an Ophthalmologist will also include:

  • Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
  • Develop treatment plans based on patients’ histories and goals, the nature and severity of disorders, and treatment risks and benefits.
  • Perform, order, or interpret the results of diagnostic or clinical tests.
  • Educate patients about maintenance and promotion of healthy vision.
  • Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic conditions and to manage pain.

We asked some Ophthalmologists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 88% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 90% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 100% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 97% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 28% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 92% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Ophthalmologists also perform ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract, glaucoma, refractive, corneal, vitro-retinal, eye muscle, or oculoplastic surgeries. They may also refer patients for more specialized treatments when conditions exceed the experience, expertise, or scope of practice of practitioner.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Ophthalmologists Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of health professionals to provide optimal patient care. They might also Perform laser surgeries to alter, remove, reshape, or replace ocular tissue.

In addition, they Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Prescribe ophthalmologic treatments or therapies such as chemotherapy, cryotherapy, or low vision therapy.

To some Ophthalmologists, it is also their responsibility to Instruct interns, residents, or others in ophthalmologic procedures and techniques.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Ophthalmologist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Ophthalmologists work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
100%


Never
0%


Do Ophthalmologists work outdoors?

Never
96%


Once a year
4%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Thinkers and The Helpers

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Ophthalmologists

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Related to Ophthalmologists Job Description

Ophthalmologists job description, what do Ophthalmologists do, typical day for Ophthalmologists, what is it like to work as an Ophthalmologist, how many hours do Ophthalmologists work, day to day work of an Ophthalmologist

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm
http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home.html
http://www.ama-assn.org/
http://www.abms.org/


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