Ophthalmology - Considering A Career In This Field

Ophthalmology is the field of medicine that studies the eye

, its makeup and any diseases that it can suffer from. Someone that studies the eye in depth is called an ophthalmologist. Most people are familiar with the ophthalmologist as their most common name-the eye doctor. However, it is important to note that not all "eye doctors" are ophthalmologists.

When you choose to specialize in this field that means that you are interested in a deeper knowledge of how to treat the various ailments of the eye. Your role goes beyond just the diagnosis. You have intimate knowledge in the surgical treatments as well as other treatments available to patients.

If you are not interested in being a specialized surgeon for the eye, then you can consider work in the field of optometry instead. Optometrists generally work to diagnose vision problems and can treat minor disease associated with the loss of vision. Although optometrists and ophthalmologists both work to treat the eye, they go about it in different ways.

The crucial difference between the two practices is the surgical aspect. Optometrists are interested in correcting vision problems and have experience in fitting contact lenses and other vision ware. Overall, the optometrist wants to correct any issue as it is associated with vision and vision loss. Similarly, the ophthalmologist is concerned with treating the eye disease causing the vision loss through surgical and medical procedures.

In some cases, an "eye doctor" will practice as both an ophthalmologist and an optometrist. This requires more schooling, but for those truly interested in having an expansive, individual practice this is a good choice. Generally, the required education beyond medical school for someone interested in going into starting a practice is about four years of residency training. Usually, you have to choose a specialization within your first couple years of residency. This can include, but is not limited to, geriatric and pediatric specializations.

The best advice to receive if you are a young person considering a career in ophthalmology is to continue working hard in school. Apply for colleges and universities with a good reputation for placing students in the best medical schools. You will want to find and enroll in a medical school that specializes in training ophthalmologists. If you are still in high school, talk to your counselor to see if they have information regarding these programs.

Changing careers later in life to include a career in ophthalmology is not unheard of. Many students go back to college and medical school after pursuing work elsewhere. There are more and more non-traditional students enrolling in the field of medicine. Discuss your options with your spouse, friends or your personal eye doctor. You may learn that the career move is the right thing for you and find a community college program nearby that you can begin evening classes while you work in your present position.

Ophthalmology is an exciting and rewarding career for those people interested in the health of the human eye.

by: Abigail Aaronson

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