By: Jacqueline Wu
When the time comes to get your eyes checked, it’s important to make sure you are seeing the right eye care professional for your needs. Ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians are the members of the eye care team who people see most often, but each member plays a distinct and important role in providing eye care.
Many people confuse the roles of different healthcare professionals in maintaining your eye health. The levels of training and expertise—and what they are allowed to do for you—are some of the major differences between the types of eye care professionals. While ophthalmologists are trained to care for all eye problems and conditions, some ophthalmologists specialize further in specific areas of medical or surgical eye care. An ophthalmologist has a wide array of responsibilities when it comes to caring for a patient. Ophthalmologists do many things including working with patients of all ages, treating glaucoma, helping patients with ocular cancers, and providing services ranging from eye exams to intricate surgery. The specialty of ophthalmology is good for physicians who want to study an intellectually challenging and fascinating field that involves a variety of disciplines which require the doctor to develop a range of important skills.
In preparation for a career in ophthalmology, it’s important to get a solid foundation in high school. Many students take college prep or AP science and math courses. It can also be beneficial to do some health care exploration and gain experience in the healthcare industry. There are also many summer camps for students who are considering medicine as a potential career path; you can find them at prestigious schools such as Stanford and Georgetown. There are also some free or low-cost enrichment opportunities which can help in your journey to become a licensed ophthalmologist. It is also encouraged to take the initiative to explore the medical field independently, whether that be through research or volunteering.
A bachelor’s degree is an important foundation for aspiring physicians and can set the pace and tone of the rest of education required to become an ophthalmologist. As medical training is mostly science based, the depth of knowledge acquired at this level will serve the student well in both testing and further studies.
There is no specific requirement for the type of degree that the student pursues at this level; however, it is essential to fulfill pre-medical requirements, and there are some degree programs which are more efficient than others in terms of course prerequisites. For example, a science-based degree will cover a number of the necessary credits and lab experience that is required for medical school admission. While a degree such as communications might also interest the student, it will take more planning, time, and knowledge to complete all the required courses. The student should weigh all possible options and come up with a plan that will best serve their career goals.
One of the key factors that an undergraduate student should be focused on their science training is the MCAT. The MCAT exam is an exam which tests students’ basic knowledge of the sciences, critical thinking skills, and problem solving skills; this exam is generally taken during the junior year of undergraduate studies.The resulting score is an indication of their readiness to enter medical school and begin further training. The MCAT score is submitted alongside numerous other application materials for medical college and plays a huge role in the school accepting the student. Most schools accept MCAT scores that are up to three years old; however, all students should check with their designated institute to see their expectations, minimum scores accepted, and other qualifications.
Coursework in a medical school program includes general health studies (e.x. Anatomy, Physiology, etc.) Aspiring ophthalmologists will also learn about:
Retcam retinal imaging
Automated analysis of visual fields
Ultrasonography
Strabismus surgery
After completing their M.D., students must complete three to eight years of post-graduate training, including an internship and residency in specialized ophthalmology. The internship or postgraduate clinical year (PGY-1) is first. This is where students get their initial experience in direct patient care. The internship lasts a minimum of one year. Some students choose to pursue internships at hospitals where they will eventually complete an ophthalmology residency; however, but this is not required.
After experiencing general medical education through an M.D. program, graduates are prepared to pursue an ophthalmology specialization through a residency program. Ophthalmology residency programs combine didactic instruction with clinical experience and research opportunities. Programs vary, but all ophthalmology residencies are based on the guidelines set forth by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's (ACGME) as well as theResidency Review Committee (RRC). Residents rotate between hospitals and services, completing general, surgical, and clinical training, as well as sub-specialty experiences. An ophthalmology residency program is considered paid, on-the-job training, which may last between two and six years.
To receive a certification from theAmerican Board of Ophthalmology, it is necessary to pass several oral and written examinations. There are also many prerequisites which include the completion of medical school, at least one year as a patient care intern, and a minimum of three years in a residency program. Certifications must also be obtained within seven years of the graduation date from medical school.
Ophthalmologists are required to pass the USMLE (United States Medical License Exam) in addition to other examinations as specified by each state. There is also extensive screening conducted on an ethical and legal level before a medical license is distributed. Educational requirements and residencies must be satisfied before a state medical license is issued. Respective state medical boards have varying guidelines regarding the licensing of ophthalmologists. Certifications from the American Board of Ophthalmology are typically not required to obtain a license, although a certification may prove advantageous when it comes time to seek out employment.
Ophthalmology is a highly satisfying occupation which allows you to make a difference in the lives of patients of all ages. The stringent ophthalmologist education requirements demonstrate that this vocation is not for everyone, but if you work hard, there’s no reason why you can’t find your dream job as an ophthalmologist!
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