What Does An Ophthalmologist Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

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


What they do

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

  • Perform ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract, glaucoma, refractive, corneal, Vitro-retinal, eye muscle, or oculoplastic surgeries.
  • 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.

Typical day

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.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Ophthalmologists also perform ophthalmic surgeries such as cataracts, 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 the 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.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Very High

Is this job meaningful

Very High

74% said they were satisfied with their job and 82% said they found their job meaningful.


Eye7 Chaudhary Eye Centre

I am the Managing Director at Eye7 eye hospital and an ophthalmologist by profession. As a doctor, a typical day at work is never typical. There is always a lot of dynamic stuff going on. However, it is always important to know your priorities during the day. If I have had any previous day pending … Read More


95% percent of my time is spent in surgery. As an ophthalmologist, you’re focusing your time on a very high impact procedure. It’s a major lifestyle change for people. It’s an incredibly rewarding profession for the impact it can make on people. I’m very focused and take it incredibly seriously. I work very hard and … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.

Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

Demand for this career is growing very fast.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.

It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are required for this career.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$218850 per year

Average hourly wage

$105 per hour

Entry-level Ophthalmologists with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $61,380 to $126,470 per year or $30 to $61 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $208,000+ $100+
Senior (Top 25%) $208,000+ $100+
Median $208,000+ $100+
Junior (Bottom 25%) $126,470 $61
No experience (Bottom 10%) $61,380 $30

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
3%

40 hours
22%

More than 40 hours
74%

Working schedule

92%

8%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
21%

Every day
75%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
12%

Every day
88%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
11%

Once a year
36%

Once a month
23%

Once a week
0%

Every day
30%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
5%

Slightly competitive
3%

Moderately competitive
9%

Highly competitive
26%

Extremely competitive
56%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
0%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
100%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
92%

Once a year or more
8%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
96%

Once a year or more
4%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
100%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Very Hard
You will need an extensive amount of skill, knowledge, and experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require graduate school and more than five years of experience. These careers usually involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Similar careers include Pharmacists, Lawyers, Astronomers, Neurologists, and Veterinarians.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
4%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
0%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
0%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
21%

Post-Doctoral Training
75%

Relevant majors

Ophthalmology Residency Program

A residency training program that prepares physicians in the diagnosis, prevention treatment of ophthalmic diseases and disorders, and ocular pathology procedures. Includes instruction in eye surgery.

Medicine

A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of medicine, involving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses, injuries, and other disorders of the human body. Includes instruction in the basic medical sciences, clinical medicine, examination and diagnosis, patient communications, medical ethics and law, professional standards, and rotations in specialties such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, neurology, ophthalmology, radiology, clinical pathology, anesthesiology, family medicine, and psychiatry.


Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy

A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of osteopathic medicine, involving a combination of medical principles and procedures and osteopathic principles of holistic medicine and the relationship of the musculoskeletal system to general health. Includes instruction in the basic medical sciences, preventive medicine, family and community medicine, medical informatics, disease systems, organ and physiologic systems, osteopathic principles and practice, osteopathic manipulative treatment, musculoskeletal and skin systems, clinical specialty rotations, medical ethics, and professional standards and practice management.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
30%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
0%

1 to 2 years
9%

2 to 4 years
13%

4 to 6 years
35%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
13%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
34%

1 month
16%

1 to 3 months
5%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
14%

1 to 2 years
3%

2 to 4 years
11%

4 to 10 years
17%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Thinker

People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.

The Builder
71%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
100%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
29%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
76%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
33%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
43%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend 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.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
86%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
76%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
81%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
76%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
71%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
86%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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