Ophthalmologist - How to become an Ophthalmologist

Ophthalmologist (Eye Specialist) is the medical practitioner who specializes in the treatment of problems related to the eye, the most important and delicate part of the human body. 

With the changed living conditions, lifestyles and high-stress levels on eyes due to increased use of visual media like computers etc. there has been a steep increase in the eye related diseases and ailments affecting the large population all over the world, especially the third world countries including Indian thereby making the role of an Ophthalmologist even more important in the present day's context. So there is a good scope for today’s younger generation to make their career in this specialized field of medicine to claim not only good monetary fortunes but also high respect in the society.

But to become a competent Ophthalmologist one requires a combination of fine motor skills, especially for surgery, and the ability to inspire trust and confidence in patients. Thus to excel in this highly exciting, challenging field of medicine one has to attain perfection by way of going through general as well as specialized education necessary to adopt Ophthalmologist as a profession.

Ophthalmologist Eligibility

To become an Ophthalmologist one should have attained the degree of MD/MS in Ophthalmology.

Ophthalmologist Required Skills

• Ophthalmologists should possess strong Physics and Maths skills as well as a robust medical knowledge.
• They also have their own practices, good management and administrative skills which are also helpful.
• Candidates also required having problem-solving skills and high-level decision making; the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team; leadership skills and the ability to work under pressure.

How to become an Ophthalmologist?

Aspiring candidate have to follow the below given steps to become an Ophthalmologist-

 Step 1

As a first step towards becoming an Ophthalmologist the interested candidate has to appear in a Medical Entrance Test conducted by the various state and Independent bodies like PMT by Punjab Government and AIPMT (All India pre medical test) taken by the Central board to admit candidates in MBBS course in various medical institutions attached with it according to the rank of the candidate in the entrance exam.

Separate test are conducted by some of the highly rated medical institutions like AIIMS, PGI, GMCH, AFMC Pune etc

Step 2

After the completion of four and half years of MBBS Degree course which is essential for taking admission in MD/MS Ophthalmology (necessary qualification to adopt the profession), the desiring candidates have to take another Entrance Test to get admission in Master’s programme for specialized studies in the respective fields.

Step 3

After being awarded the Master’s degree of Ophthalmology the budding Doctors can either go for some Government jobs in Hospitals like AIIMS, PGI, and GMCH etc. or opt for their own private clinic.  

Ophthalmologist Job Description

Ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts and diabetes-related vision problems, with drug therapy. They are also competent to perform eye surgery as and when required to cure the eye of ailments like cornea, cataract and refractive surgery, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, and ocular immunology, paediatric ophthalmology and vitreoretinal diseases.

Ophthalmologist Career Prospects

The need for highly skilled ophthalmologists is expected to increase in the coming times if we go by the present statistic of the patients getting eye treatment especially with an ageing population that needs eye care. The advances in medical technology and science supply opportunities for research and developing cutting-edge skills and expertise. Thus the prospects of the Ophthalmologists are quite bright irrespective of your interest whether in developing a practice as a general Ophthalmologist, honing your expertise in a subspecialty or concentrating on research.

Ophthalmologist Salary

Ophthalmologists can expect anything between Rs.40,000 to Rs.50,000 if they are interested in working with Government run Hospitals besides getting other benefits like paid leave, accommodation, LTC etc. However, those who are looking for a job is the corporate sector can expect anything between Rs.1 Lakh to Rs.1.5 lakhs of course with little more workload.

Besides this, the Ophthalmologists with good organizing and marketing skills can go for their practice and the remuneration for such practitioners is unlimited as they can demand fees according to their expertise and demand in the field.