An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and disorders. They are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a range of eye conditions, from minor infections to major surgeries like cataract removal as well as corneal transplants. Moreover, Ophthalmologists are involved in research and teaching in the field of ophthalmology. They may work in hospitals, clinics, private practices or research institutions.

As a part of their practice, ophthalmologists perform comprehensive eye exams to diagnose and treat eye problems including vision disorders, glaucoma, cataracts and other eye diseases. They may also prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses in order to improve vision. Ophthalmologists use advanced diagnostic tools and equipment such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus photography, to diagnose eye conditions and monitor the progress of treatment.

For Bachelor’s

• Students must have completed their 10+2 with at least 50% marks in the Science stream.
• Aspirants can select a bachelor’s degree in the science field.
• To get admission in the MBBS, scholars need to pass entrance exams.

For Master’s

• Undergraduates can go further for a Master’s degree in science fields.
• Some universities may require entrance exams for PG Program.

Apart from working as an Ophthalmologist, there are several other job profiles that a person with a background in the Ophthalmology field can pursue. Some of these job profiles include:

• Ocular Immunology Specialist
• Neuro-Ophthalmology Specialist
• Retina Specialist
• Cornea Specialist
• Cataract Specialist
• Oculoplastics specialist
• Paediatric Ophthalmologist

Employment Sector

• Government Organisations
• Research Centres
• Private Nursing Centres
• Private Hospitals
• X-ray and Ultrasound Centres
• Pharmaceutical Companies

There are many recruiters from leading companies who enlist potential medical students. Following are some Recruiters from where students can find an employment opportunity in India: 

• All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
• Aravind Eye Hospital
• LV Prasad Eye Institute
• Sankara Nethralaya Eye Hospital
• Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital
• Vasan Eye Care
• Apollo Hospitals
• Fortis Healthcare
• Max Healthcare
• Narayana Nethralaya Eye Hospital

The salary range may vary from company to company, but the salary of an Ophthalmologist is very impressive in India.

• Critical thinking skills
• Leadership skills
• Detail-oriented skills
• Statistical skills
• Communication skills

The career scope of ophthalmologists is vast and varied with opportunities for growth and specialisation in various areas of eye care. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialise in the diagnosis, treatment of eye diseases and disorders as well as perform surgery to correct them. They work in hospitals, clinics, private practices, research institutions and academic institutions.

In addition to general ophthalmology, there are various subspecialties that an ophthalmologist can pursue such as glaucoma, paediatric ophthalmology, cornea and external disease, neuro-ophthalmology, retina and vitreous. These subspecialties offer opportunities for further education as well as training and can lead to career advancement along with increased earning potential.

• High earning potential
• Job security
• Personal satisfaction
• Diverse career options
• Technological advancements

• Long training period
• Intense workload
• High liability
• Expensive education
• Emotionally challenging